Foundation & Inclusion

Shobha brings over 20 years of experience shaping brands and building modern strategy organizations, with a track record of driving transformation, strengthening teams, and elevating creative ambition. Having lived and worked across three continents, she pairs a global perspective with a sharp instinct for local nuance—and is a passionate advocate for originality in the age…

Janel Ilagan is a Senior Social Strategist at McCann New York, turning cultural insights into social-first ideas that drive engagement, build community, and elevate brand presence. Born and raised in New York City and a first-generation Filipino-American, Janel brings a deep sense of resilience, curiosity, and creativity to everything she does. With over eight years…

  Ronnie Ting is SVP, Head of Design and Experiences at MRM, leading the New York office design and experiences discipline for global brands including General Motors, Mastercard, Coca-Cola, Four Seasons Yachts, USPS and New York Lottery. Her 20+ year career spans agency and product design across automotive, fintech, education, healthcare, and travel, creating technology…

Karen Chan leads partner marketing and communications across the organization. In this role, she oversees strategic relationships with key media, data, and technology partners tied to WPP Media’s marketing and communications initiatives, while also driving internal communications for the agency’s media management and delivery teams.   Karen works closely with the industry’s leading tech and publishers…

Yolanda is a global advertising and sales executive with 25+ years of experience driving growth across agency, platform, and marketing technology ecosystems. She is GM, Global Head of Agency Development at Microsoft Advertising, leading a global team responsible for executive-level agency partnerships and helping holding companies become long-term Microsoft Advertising advocates.  Yolanda partners with agency…

Leah Shin is a Principal Product Marketing Manager at LinkedIn (Moonshots + Ventures), where she builds 0-1 human-centered consumer products and leads the marketing of LinkedIn’s first venture, LinkedIn games, played by millions of members worldwide. Previously at Microsoft, she launched consumer products and led creator-focused market research. Beyond her role, Leah creates content that…

  Karan Dang is the Co-Founder and CEO of DANG, a consultancy dedicated to modernizing iconic global brands by forging authentic connections with the next generation of consumers. As a widely recognized creative leader, Karan was named Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 in 2021 and ranked #6 Creative Director in the world in the 2017…

Heather Blanthorn is a Group Account Director at Quigley-Simpson with over 20 years of experience in marketing and client leadership.  Known for an attentive and proactive approach, she is a trusted partner to both clients and internal teams—serving as a strategic liaison who drives alignment, collaboration, and impactful work. Heather leads with empathy and approachability,…

Named in Creativity Magazine’s annual “Creativity 50” as well as one of “the Top 25 Most  Creative People in Advertising” in Forbes Magazine, Rei Inamoto is one of the most influential  individuals in the marketing and creative industry today.   A designer by trade, a minimalist at heart, Rei’s superpower is to help clients simplify the …

  Fern Gillespie’s career spans advertising, public relations, radio and journalism.  For 18 years, at UniWorld Group, she specialized in leading, developing and executing diversity/CSR public relations campaigns for Kraft Foods, Home Depot, Ford Motor Company, UNCF, Con Edison and others.  She has served as PR Director for the Studio Museum in Harlem and Assistant…