Independent creative agency network Gut has appointed Sandra Alfaro as its first-ever U.S. CEO.  

She will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of Gut’s office in Miami, the network’s headquarters, as well as its Los Angeles office. The appointment is effective September 5th.  

The 25-year-plus industry veteran most recently served as president, DDB Chicago, where she helped the agency launch its first dedicated social practice and played a key role in new business. She was promoted into that role by Andrea Diquez, the former CEO at DDB Chicago who left last year to become Global CEO at Gut. Alfaro will be based in Miami and report to Diquez in her new role.  

Previously she served at Horizon Media, where she was the first leader of 305 Worldwide, a joint-venture agency with Armando Christian Pérez (AKA Pitbull.)  

The agency said that Alfaro will work closely with the agency’s global leadership team, including the U.S. creative leads Ricardo Casal and Juan Javier Peña Plaza, and Bruno Acanfora and Ariel Abramovici, executive creative directors at Gut LA. She’ll also work with Carmen Rodriguez, Global Chief Growth Officer & Partner.  

“Sandra is an incredible business leader. She understands where the market and consumers are going so she is the best at setting up clients’ businesses for success,” stated Diquez.  

In her 20+ years in account management, Alfaro has led campaigns across major categories including Retail, Automotive, CPG, Beer, Pharma, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Apparel/Fashion and Beauty, for clients such as The Home Depot, Nissan, Heineken, Stouffer’s, Old Navy, and others. 

The hire follows the agency’s big week at the Cannes ad festival in June when it won 35 Lions and was named Independent Network of the Year.