Mishy Cass Takes Creative Reins at DNA as Executive Creative Director

DNA in Seattle has named Mishy Cass as the agency’s new executive creative director, elevating the industry veteran and former REI group creative director to the agency’s most senior creative role. She assumes the position from Steve Williams who is leaving the agency to pursue new creative endeavours.

Her promotion comes as DNA brings on several high level national accounts, following an unprecedented year of growth. Mishy joined DNA full time in October 2021 after freelancing with the agency for several months. She had previously been Group Creative Director at REI where she helped build its internal agency and expand its award-winning “Opt Outside” brand initiative. In addition to developing other award-winning campaigns at WongDoody, Publicis, and DDB.

“Mishy has had an instant impact on our work and our culture. She is a proven creative leader, builder of talent and creator of ideas that have marketplace impact and push creative boundaries,” said Chris Witherspoon, CEO of DNA. “As we began to identify what we were looking for in a leader to take over Steve’s role, it quickly became apparent that what we needed was already here at DNA. Being able to promote Mishy into a job that she is so well suited for is a great move for our agency.”

Mishy will become part of DNA’s diverse senior leadership team which includes CEO Chris Witherspoon, one of the few Black agency CEO’s, chairman Alan Brown, who is gay, Christine Wise, head of strategy, Charlene Short, director of talent and Culture, Gabe HaJiani, head of creation and content, Alex Dobson, director of media and comms planning and Alex Converse, chief financial officer. 

“DNA has built a culture and workplace that welcomes new thinking, collaboration and an appreciation for creating work that directly impacts our clients business through the combination of creativity, data and strategy,” said Mishy. “I’m so excited to be leading its creative department and adding new talent to our team. I’m also grateful for the opportunity and all that Steve has put in place.”

The agency became a Minority-owned and led company at the beginning of 2022 when Alan Brown and Chris Witherspoon purchased the majority of the agency’s shares from co-founder Dan Gross. The move was also designed to maintain the 24-year-old agency’s independence.