From Junior AE to President: Lessons from 20 Years in Advertising

When I first walked through the doors of EP+Co 20 years ago, I was a junior account executive with a less-than-impressive resume, no advertising experience, and no industry connections. The title was a step down from the job I was leaving. The pay was less than I had hoped for. But I’d just spent three years after college trying to get my foot in the door at the agency I admired so much, and I knew in my bones: this was where I was meant to be. I had a dream worth chasing. So, I leaned in.

As I look back, it’s clear my path wasn’t the straight shot I spent my young 20s imagining it would be. Now that I’m older and, I hope, wiser, I know chasing down a dream isn’t easy. It requires an incredible amount of endurance, grit and a willingness to show up over, and over (and over) again.

Two decades later, I stand here, not just as president of EP+Co but as proof that careers aren’t built overnight. They’re built through resilience, relationships, and relentless pursuit. I’ve been knocked down more times than I care to admit, but every ‘no’ strengthened my resolve. Every detour enriched the journey. Every rejection paved the road to something greater.

Your dream career won’t happen overnight. But if you keep pushing forward, one day you’ll look back and realise you’ve built something incredible. My journey has included more than my younger self ever could have imagined, and I’m grateful for all of it:

  *   The meetings stitched together with belly laughs and battle scars, shaping me in ways I never expected.

  *   The plot twists I never saw coming—like finding my husband in the midst of those meetings.

  *   An ongoing (and somewhat unhealthy?) obsession with racking up frequent flier miles and gaining traveler status.

  *   The number of places I’ve been lucky enough to visit and the number of people I’ve been lucky enough to meet while on the job. (I hate to name drop, but getting a kiss on the cheek from Justin Timberlake was certainly a highlight )

  *   The chance to experience 16 years in New York City, and the chance to come back home—all while working under the same roof.

  *   Experiencing true community at work and being surrounded by people who supported me through the loss of my mom and celebrated me through the arrival of my daughters.

  *   Building a constellation of friends, mentors, and influences, all of whom have helped make me who I am.

  *   And, of course, the work—campaigns for brands I truly love: L.L.Bean, Frye Boots, Verizon, Morgan Stanley, John Deere, Michelin, Planet Oat, Havertys, Califia, BodyArmor, Men’s Wearhouse, and Tumi, just to name a few.

And if I could go back and tell myself anything when I was just starting out, here’s what I’d say:

Embrace the Power of Frustration and Rejection

Rejection stings, but it’s also a rite of passage. Every ‘no’ you hear is a lesson wrapped in resilience, redirecting you to something better. I’ve been turned down for jobs, passed over for promotions, and watched ideas I loved get shot down. But each time, I walked away with something: a sharper skill set, a thicker skin, or a new opportunity. Rejection isn’t failure. In my opinion, not even failure is failure. It’s proof that you’re in the game, that you’re trying. Even though it’s painful, embrace the frustration that comes with “figuring it out.” Learning is supposed to feel like a struggle, so if it’s tough—good! Keep the goal in sight and let the discomfort drive you forward. The only way out is through.

Stay Curious and Keep Learning

The moment you think you know it all is the moment you stop growing. The best careers are built on curiosity—raising your hand for the tough assignments, learning from those who’ve been there before, and never letting comfort replace ambition. Ask the extra question, read beyond the job description, and push yourself to be a student of the industry. The more you learn, the more you grow. And the more you grow, the more doors you’ll open.

Do the Work—Every Single Day

There’s no substitute for hard work. Passion and ambition will get you in the door, but it’s what you do every day that determines how far you go. Show up prepared, do more than what’s asked, and never let the small tasks feel too small. Because consistency—delivering, executing, proving yourself time and time again—is what separates those who make it from those who don’t. There’s no magic shortcut. Just the grind, the commitment, and the willingness to do the work.

Build Relationships That Matter

Careers aren’t built in a vacuum. The people around you—the mentors who guide you, the peers who challenge you, the team that supports you and the leaders who open doors—are just as important as the work itself. Surround yourself with those who push you to be better. Take the meeting, send the follow-up, and always, always be someone people want to work with. That doesn’t mean you should be a pushover. You should certainly fight for what you believe in and say what you think. After all, if you’re not honest, you won’t advance, and you won’t help others around you advance. But being diplomatic and kind with your honesty—even when it’s hard—will go a long way. At the end of the day, success isn’t just about talent. It’s about the relationships you build along the way.

Don't Pretend to Be Something You’re Not, But Don't Be Afraid to Evolve Either

The most successful people I know bring something uniquely their own to the table. They’re genuine, authentic and refuse to go along to get along. They have a truth and they own it. That said, refusing to change is just as dangerous as trying to be someone you’re not. Growth isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about adding to who you are. Let experience shape you. Take the feedback. Adapt. Learn. You won’t get anywhere new by staying the same; you can evolve without losing sight of who you are and what you value.

Never Be Afraid to Be the Only One in the Room with Your Perspective

It’s not easy to speak up when you’re the only one with a different take. I’ve been in rooms where I knew my opinion wasn’t the popular one, and the temptation to stay quiet was strong. But some of the best ideas—the ones that changed a project, a business, or even a career—came from someone willing to say, “I see this differently.” If you have something to say, say it. Don’t water yourself down to fit in. The world doesn’t need more echoes—it needs more voices willing to challenge, to push, to reframe the conversation. Even if your idea doesn’t win out, your courage will be remembered. And more often than not, the right people will take notice.