Meet the 2025 Fellows – Chardae Varlack
Meet the 2025 Fellows – Chardae Varlack, Client Solutions Manager, Meta
With what many call “Chardae energy,” Chardae brings connection, curiosity, and strategy to every corner of the advertising world. Born and raised in New York and a proud graduate of Cornell University, she has built a career where creativity meets measurable impact.
At Meta, within the Global Business Group, Chardae leads initiatives that bridge insight, innovation, and culture, helping global brands show up with meaning in a rapidly changing world. Before Meta, her time at American Express shaped her approach to leadership and collaboration, instilling a deep appreciation for work that balances innovation with empathy.
Outside of work, Chardae finds joy in travel, food, and exploring the arts, especially bringing cultural experiences like ballet and opera to the communities she comes from. She’s passionate about creating access, opportunity, and belonging both inside and outside of corporate spaces.
Guided by her motto, “Go for every opportunity because the worst they can say is no,” Chardae leads with intention, using her platform to open doors for others while continuing to expand what’s possible for herself.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success is about making things better than they were before. I see success in the moments where curiosity turns into progress, and progress leads to impact that lasts. It’s when I can look back and know that I pushed something forward, helped someone rise, or shifted a space for the better. Success doesn’t mean I won, but it means something moved, evolved, or improved because I showed up.
What do you hope to gain from this fellowship?
I’m hoping to gain guidance from leaders who can help sharpen my instincts, stretch my perspective, and show me what excellent leadership looks like in practice. I also want to build a stronger network of peers who value both ambition and authenticity. I thrive on community, and in a city like New York, where everything moves fast and competition is high, no one can or should do it alone. I want to learn from those who have walked the path before me and, in turn, pay that forward by leading with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.