Andrea Grodberg & Liz Matthews

Unlocking Brand Potential, Responsibly

ANDREA GRODBERG & LIZ MATTHEWS

This session was presented at RE/IMAGINE What's Next, the third of a multi-part series. Learn more at VMLYR.com/Reimagine.

A growing number of brands have turned climate and social urgency into actions that have transcended the press release or one-off initiative. It’s no small feat to bring along customers, suppliers, employees, and shareholders. Join Liz as she sits down with Andrea Grodberg, VMLY&R’s chief strategy officer, for a conversation about the organizational underpinnings and learnings of transformational leaders making the way for change.

Andrea Grodberg

ANDREA GRODBERG

Global Chief Strategy Officer, VMLY&R

Andrea (Ring) Grodberg has been a global strategic leader in the world of advertising and technology for over 25 years. She is dedicated to using the next 25 years to deepen her commitment to sustainability, equity, and helping all companies do good, by doing good.

Most recently, Andrea was chief strategy officer of BBDO. Her vision at BBDO was to add the data rigor and CX widely practiced at more tech-forward agencies to one of the most famous creative brand agencies in the world.

Before this role, Andrea was global chief strategy officer at Big Spaceship where she evolved the overall strategic vision and approach for the agency. She helped transform the agency from a project-based social agency to a sophisticated marketing partner for clients such as Starbucks, Chase, and Pepsi. Customer experience and systems design has always been at the core of her thinking.

Previously, Andrea was the Head of Strategy and Experience Strategy at R/GA, where, over the course of nearly a decade, she built up a team of 100 strategists and helped brands such as Nike, Google, and Samsung figure out how to rethink their businesses and develop meaningful relationships with the right consumers. Before joining R/GA Andrea worked as a brand planner with J. Walter Thompson, Bigchalk.com, and Digital Pulp Advertising.

Over the course of her career, Andrea has been awarded numerous strategy and creative awards including and has spoken passionately about the future opportunities for brands in the connected age. She volunteers for Potential Energy, a climate-focused advertising project.

She lives in Brooklyn with her husband Peter, son Desi, and massive 98-pound mutt Boone. She runs. A lot. Skis when there is powder and surfs when there are waves.

Liz Matthews

LIZ MATTHEWS

SVP of Global Brand & Creative, Dell

As SVP of Global Brand & Creative, Liz Matthews is tasked with bringing to life the verbal and visual identity of Dell Technologies. She draws from 20 years of industry experience when building ambitious marketing strategies, creating innovative ad campaigns and product launches, navigating large-scale partnerships, and releasing award-winning experiences, all with the aim of strengthening Dell Technologies’ mission to fuel human progress across the globe.

With a clarity of vision and spark of humor, Liz brings her passion for people to the job every day, believing a unique combination of empathy and leadership is required to maintain Dell Technologies’ position as a best-in-class tech innovator—without ever sacrificing integrity and humility. Liz believes a brand isn’t just a logo and a color: A brand is its people—and the more it is designed for human connection in an authentic, meaningful and intentional way, the more easily it will find success. Liz has made it her mission as a leader to create a positive space within Dell Technologies that centers inclusivity and acceptance, and ensures the company is reflective of the diverse community it’s privileged to serve.

Previously, Liz held multiple executive roles in Dell Technologies’ consumer and SMB business divisions, in addition to leadership positions at large global brands like Sun Microsystems and Johnson & Johnson. This cross-industry experience honed Liz’s strategic and analytical thinking in her current role and bolstered her ability to direct a large team that helps inform her daily decision-making. Liz strives to be a leader who listens and poses questions, and whose authority never deters an employee from asking to be heard. In an industry that’s struggling to be more equitable and representative, she urges other tech executives to rise to this challenge.

Liz has won numerous awards throughout the years, including Market Executive of the Year by Best in Biz. Outside of the professional realm, she is on the board of SAFE Alliance, which serves survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence. Liz holds a B.A. in communications from California Polytechnic State University and lives with her family and rescue dog in Austin, Texas.

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