I’m a writer, creative leader and builder of unlikely connections. Over the years, I’ve learned that my biggest contribution to problem solving isn’t just finding solutions. It’s changing the way people see the question itself. I tend to find the hidden assumptions, ask what no one else was asking, and help teams arrive somewhere they didn’t realize they could go.

That has made me particularly drawn to the kinds of businesses and problems that shouldn’t work as well creatively as they do: categories with too much complexity, audiences that are hard to reach, and stories that are difficult to tell. The places where you can’t simply buy attention—you have to earn it.

I’ve spent my career proving those problems belong on the awards stage. Along the way I’ve been fortunate to win recognition from Cannes, the One Club, D&AD and most of the other major shows, appear on a number of “most awarded” lists, help McCann Health achieve Agency of the Year, and collect a few Effies and other statues that now occupy shelves in my house.

But I value the compliments that go beyond the creative process just as much. I’ve been called “a partner who asks too many questions about the client’s actual business.” A former new business lead once described me as the person she wanted leading a pitch—and sitting front and center during it. And one person told me I was “the best boss I ever had.” (I’m pretty proud of that one.)

To me, this is a remarkable moment to be a creative person. As AI makes more things possible, the value isn’t limited just to making more at scale. It moves to looking at things differently. And that’s what I love doing.

I went to graduate school for analytic philosophy and I speak decent Mandarin, though I can’t read it. Both have been more useful than you’d expect.

I’m also called “Dad” by two kids, who do a good job reminding me that people need a reason to care about all the advertising we pour so much time and energy into.