Lisa Singer

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• How This USIM VP Stays Lit From Within in Brand Insider: Behind The Scenes on 06/12/2025
  

  Have you ever felt like you had something real to offer, but weren't sure how to harness it or when it was okay to speak up? Melissa Sierra, the EVP of Media Integration at USIM, opens up about finding her voice and showing up with purpose-even when the path feels uncertain. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Melissa talks with Lisa Singer about navigating imposter syndrome, the power of giving yourself grace, and the importance of making others feel seen and heard. She also shares her dreamer mentality, Virgo drive, and her childhood inspiration to pursue a career in advertising. Hint: she's the boss!

• How This Hattie B's Hot Chicken CMO Is Spicing Things Up! in Brand Insider: Behind The Scenes on 06/04/2025
  

  Have you ever found yourself in a moment where everything just... clicks? Where life, family, and career all seem to align, even if only for a fleeting phase? That's exactly where Anne McGraw, CMO of Hattie B's Hot Chicken, finds herself right now. With a new role that lets her combine her love of food and restaurants with her passion for storytelling, and her daughters still at home-though just on the edge of flying the nest-Anne is holding onto every moment. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Anne opens up with Lisa Singer about her "sliding doors" moment that changed everything and the realization that sometimes we don't even know other paths are possible until we make that first bold move. The self-described "Space Nerd" also talks about the career pivots that shaped her leadership style, and why trusting your voice-especially as a woman in the room-is one of the most powerful tools you can develop.

• How This American Express VP Is Finding the Magic in the Everyday in Brand Insider: Behind The Scenes on 06/12/2025
  

  How do you make the most out of even the smallest moments? For Marvalee Bascus Leslie, it's about finding the magic in the everyday. American Express' VP of Customer Growth believes in intentionally making each moment count, whether it's a tough morning, a team meeting, or time with family. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Marvalee talks with Lisa Singer about why being present matters just as much as being productive. She opens up about what it really takes to grow your career without losing yourself in the process and admits to being a Type A planner, though she is learning to live in the now. Marvalee also shares the lessons that motherhood has unlocked for her, what she believes are the realities of DEI, and why advocating for yourself is so essential.

• How This Novartis Director Is Leading With Purpose in Brand Insider: Behind The Scenes on 05/22/2025
  

  What drives someone to pivot in their career - especially when things are going well? For Chelsea Marti it was purpose. Novartis' director of content talks about those "aha" moments- when you start asking yourself not just what you do, but why - and how that led her to making a bold move from a successful tech career into a mission-driven role in healthcare. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Chelsea shares with Lisa Singer why rejection (including from Novartis years earlier) didn't stop her - and how persistence and a little competitive edge helped her break into an industry where she could make a difference. She talks openly about growing up in a blue-collar family, the challenges of breaking into corporate life without connections, and the power of bold marketing in healthcare - especially when it comes to women's health.

• From Elite Athlete To Marketing Leader- How This TAG Heuer Pro Keeps Ticking in Brand Insider: Behind The Scenes on 05/14/2025
  

  How does a former professional athlete become the marketing force behind one of the world's most iconic luxury watch brands? TAG Heuer's Marketing & Digital Director, Rachel Walsh, shares her unconventional journey- from playing professional field hockey across Europe to shaping brand narratives at Adidas, Rituals Cosmetics, and now TAG Heuer. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, she talks with Lisa Singer about how years of playing elite-level hockey around the world shaped her leadership style and drive for excellence. She opens up about her final storybook moment as an athlete, winning the Dutch Championship in her last professional match, and how that drive continues to fuel her in the corporate world. Rachel also talks about the value of being uncomfortable, staying curious, and refusing to be boxed in-whether in sports, style, or business. And her latest challenge? Let's just say it leaves her legs shaking-and her mind completely free.

• Why Saylor's Head of Creative Continues Making Waves in Brand Insider: Behind The Scenes on 05/07/2025
  

  How do you build a creative career while balancing the demands of real life-parenthood, passion projects, and everything in between? In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Nicole Stetter shares with Lisa Singer her unconventional journey from thrift store owner to head of creative at Saylor. Nicole opens up about becoming a mother before finishing college and how the discovery of remote work has helped transform her ability to balance ambition and parenthood. She explores the evolving norms around remote culture, especially its impact on working parents, and how structure, transparency, and boundaries have helped her thrive both professionally and personally. Nicole also reveals her unexpected creative path-from running social for her band and hosting shows in a thrift shop, to evolving into agency work and eventually leading creative strategy. Alas, her band broke up, but she's still making music today-and you'll never guess what sound she's into now!

• This Wild Fork Foods Marketing Leader's Mantra For Success! in Brand Insider: Behind The Scenes on 05/01/2025
  

  Are you doing what you love? Jenny Chen is! In fact following one's heart is the Wild Fork Foods' head of marketing's mantra, both personally and professionally. Born and raised in Shanghai, Jenny opens up about the challenges of building confidence as a non-native English speaker and how she learned to eventually trust her voice in rooms full of senior executives. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Jenny talks with Lisa Singer about discovering her passion for marketing as a teenager after watching the Chinese version of Mad Men! She also discusses the importance of blending the art and science of marketing and believes she remains grounded by always coming back to what excites her.

• How This Takeda Technology Exec Is Embracing The Possibilities in Brand Insider: Behind The Scenes on 04/24/2025
  

  What's the biggest leap you've ever taken, either personally or professionally? For Nishtha Jain it was for both. Takeda's head of innovation & technology opens up about her journey from New Delhi to the U.S., from student loans to a leadership role in healthcare. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Nishtha shares how her path from aspiring doctor to data-driven technology strategist was anything but traditional. Discovering along the way that changing lives isn't limited to the exam room - it's also done behind the scenes, through digital innovation and healthcare technology. Nishtha also opens up about leading with empathy in a male-dominated industry, her shift from FOMO to JOMO - and how she's learned to be present and intentional in today's noisy, digital world.

• How This VSA Partners' CEO Is Embracing Uncertainty in Brand Insider: Behind The Scenes on 04/18/2025
  

  When was the last time you stopped trying to control what's next-and just let life unfold? That's exactly what Anne-Marie Rosser is doing. Instead of staying in the mindset of always getting ahead of uncertainty, the VSA Partners' CEO now chooses to reframe the narrative-welcoming the unknown with a spirit of curiosity and openness. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Anne-Marie reveals that she's now in a new phase of life with three teens and a seasoned career. She opens up about what it means to reinvest in friendships, release the reins as a leader and simply enjoy the ride. Anne-Marie also talks about the importance of advocating for yourself-even when it's uncomfortable-why it's essential to know your worth, and how finding "your people" at work makes all the difference. She even shares a few surprises up her sleeve!

• How This 50/50 Women On Boards' CEO Is Leading With Purpose in Brand Insider: Behind The Scenes on 04/09/2025
  

  Have you ever felt the need to hide parts of your personal life to protect your professional image? Heather Spilsbury has - and she's not alone. During a pivotal career transition and worried that the perception of motherhood might impact how colleagues viewed her commitment, the then new mom made the difficult decision to keep her baby a secret at work. Now CEO of 50/50 Women on Boards, Heather speaks candidly about the balancing act so many women face between ambition and identity. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, she opens up about her Salvadoran roots and her parents' unwavering mantra to "keep moving forward," a belief she continues to live by today. She also talks about how the pandemic inspired her to pursue a more mission-driven role, the power of diverse perspectives, and why elevating women into boardrooms isn't just the right thing to do-it's a business imperative.

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