It takes tree-ness. Nope, we couldn’t define it if we tried (and we’ve tried), but we do know it’s made up of equal parts curiosity, resourcefulness and gratitude.
And we know it starts at the top with our leadership team.
Becca Apfelstadt
Becca is a passionate leader, bold visionary and proud WBENC member. She has been in the agency business more than half her life, working with and for B2B giants like Alliance Data, Worthington Industries and McGraw-Hill. Her energy and drive foster an environment of thoughtful collaboration and up-for-any-challenge enthusiasm, while her natural ability to bring out the best in people always produces elevated work on behalf of our clients. Becca shares about career, family, vulnerability, resilience and leadership in her Get Your Mind Bright newsletter.
Self-described leadership style: Heart-forward
Favorite non-fiction book: I have to pick one?! “Dare to Lead” by Brene Brown and “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
Person who has influenced you the most: Grandma Jean. The older I get the more I realize the influence she had on me to be independent, to cultivate my own style, to love color, to drive with the top down and to find a friend in every room.
Top CliftonStrengths: Strategic, Significance, Futuristic, Responsibility and Focus
What would you do with a day all to yourself: I’d start my morning walking the wooded path behind my house (probably while listening to the Tim Ferriss podcast or something on Audible), meditate, have my coffee and then head to yoga at the little studio down the road. I’d definitely spend the afternoon floating in my backyard pool with a good book. (Hey, it’s my free day and in my version, it’s always sunny and 80 for great pool weather!)
Rachel Hillman
Rachel is responsible for keeping the account service team happy, sharp, creative and proactive. With an agency career that stretches decades and a client roster that spans B2B industries from health care to fintech, she knows exactly how best to mentor, support and shape her team into strategic and creative thinkers who make great client partners. As our clients’ number one advocate, Rachel brings focus to complicated messages, products and conversations.
Self-described leadership style: Candid, vulnerable and encouraging
Favorite non-fiction book: “Radical Acceptance” by Tara Brach or “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson
Person who has influenced you the most: Artie Isaac has had a profound influence on me. He was my professor when I was 19. We reconnected later as Bexley residents and members of the same synagogue. He became my boss in 2001 and taught me so much about relationships, authentic living, spirituality and creativity, and again more recently as my Vistage Chair. I continue to learn from him every time we share space and time.
Top CliftonStrengths: Relator, Maximizer, Communicator, Positivity and Woo
What would you do with a day all to yourself: Major workout sesh with strength training, dancing and stretching. Big, beautiful bath complete with facemask. Massage. Take my sweet time at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Cook a bunch of colorful food while dancing in the kitchen to XMFly. Read. Watch Marx Brothers movies until I pass out.
Megan Myers
Megan leads the creative team in telling smart, strategic stories. She brings high energy and whole-brained thinking to every project. And with experience on both the client side and agency side with the likes of Cochlear Americas, Thirty-One Gifts, DHL, Cardinal Health, Olive and Nationwide, Megan knows how to ensure that our creative isn’t just great; it’s also grounded in thought and purpose that spark a relationship and compel action.
Self-described leadership style: Part face-punch linebacker, part here’s-the-plan coach and part we-can-do-anything cheerleader
Favorite non-fiction book: “Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses ‘No, But’ Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration” by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton
Person who has influenced you the most: My grandparents influenced me the most. On my mom’s side, they were restaurant owners. On my dad’s, they were farmers. So, both 24/7 hard work. They were examples of independence, entrepreneurship, tireless work ethics, positivity and adaptability. They prioritized their family. They prioritized finding joy in life. They were good people. That’s the kind of life I want to model.
Top CliftonStrengths: Achiever, Adaptability, Competition, Positivity and Strategic
What would you do with a day all to yourself: Barbell fun and a cross-training workout at my gym, Friendship Fitness. Then a mani-pedi and a massage. If it’s summer, I’m by the pool with a book by noon. If it’s not, I’m doing a little shopping, then a little home decorating. Then walk my dogs. Sushi. Wine.
LORA WINNING
As our strategy lead, Lora thrives on uncovering the insights that unlock endless opportunities for our clients. With a diverse background amongst giants including Victoria’s Secret PINK, Kohl’s, NetJets and DSW, Lora is no stranger to leading with curiosity. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience in both agency and corporate environments, a knack for bridging the gap between client and creative services—and an infectious laugh.
Self-described leadership style: Curious, creative and collaborative. Moves fast but always smiling.
Favorite non-fiction book: Brené Brown’s “Daring Greatly” spoke to my heart and Pema Chodron’s “When Things Fall Apart” spoke to my soul. My brain book will always be “Tribe” by Seth Godin—it changed the way I think about all of us as consumers.
Person who has influenced you the most: My dad. He was a powerhouse leader but always down to earth and always a child at heart.
Top CliftonStrengths: Maximizer, Futuristic, Ideation, Strategic and Individualization
What would you do with a day all to yourself: All the ocean things including meditation, a good book, lots of walking and a swim.
REBEKAAH HARKLESS
Rebekaah brings 30+ years of professional accounting experience across various industries and roles to the leadership team. Most of her career has been in the controller or accounting manager seat. From the daily checklists to the yearly checkpoints, she is methodical and deliberate in her involvement with the financial details, as well as providing others with the confidence to make decisions based on timely and insightful financial information.
Self-described leadership style: One of my personal core values is growth, and one of my top five CliftonStrengths is Developer, so I take great pride in mentoring, guiding and molding someone into the best version of themselves—both professionally and personally.
Favorite non-fiction book: “You Do You” or “Get Your Sh*t Together” by Sarah Knight. Really, any book by Sarah Knight. She keeps it real.
Person who has influenced you the most: My husband. He is such a good human with an amazing soul. He has the patience of Job and is the calm in any storm. His gift of always being in the now has taught me to be more present in my own life and not to spend so much time looking to the future—and far less time looking to the past.
Top CliftonStrengths: Connectedness, Empathy, Intellection, Developer and Harmony
What would you do with a day all to yourself: This is highly dependent on where I am. If I’m home, I would spend the day enjoying a good cup of coffee, doing a project for the house and catching up on a show. If I’m in the mountains in Canada, I’m getting muddy in a side-by-side, eating lunch on the top of a waterfall and enjoying marshmallows by the fire when the day is done.