Meet Some of The Barrier Breaking Women of SCS
Women’s History Month is dedicated to honoring those who fought gender bias in society and the workplace. While there is still a long way to go, women have made tremendous strides to gain access to the kind of opportunities it takes to have a positive impact on historically male-dominated industries, including the branding and marketing world. We’ve asked eight incredible women to share their unique personal experiences. They offer inspiring insights into how they navigated their careers through trial and error, through failure and success. Learn from the challenges they faced, their knowledge in the agency, and how they deliver rewarding outcomes.
What drew you into the marketing and branding world?
“I couldn’t decide between being an Economics major or an Art History major, and I really enjoyed photography/painting in my free time. Marketing is a lovely intersection between creativity and business. It’s a great place for people who love numbers AND art at the same time.”
Alexa Ellis – Chief Operations Officer/Atlanta
“Early on in my career, I watched the digital and social space grow and evolve at such a rapid pace. I saw how brands were adopting and using digital media as one of their primary vehicles for relevancy and to engage with their consumers in fun, unique, and interesting ways. I knew I always wanted to be a part of the growth and be involved with a variety of brands and help them grow in the digital space.”
Ingrid Sandahl – Sr Brand Solutions Manager/Costa Mesa
“I started my career in radio where sales and advertising are the driving engine. From early on I realized that there is an inseverable bond between marketing and entertainment and it drew me into show running reality programming, DTC, and branded content. I love storytelling, and if we can create fun, engaging content that supports a brand campaign…that is my happy place.”
Catherine Gudvangen – VP Content/Costa Mesa
“Luck and timing. I graduated college at the beginning of the Facebook era and fell in love with the potential of what it could be. I was young and full of ideas which turned into tweets and blog posts – followed by some attention from some larger known names in the space.”
Kirsten Wright – VP of Marketing/Remote
“My career started in graphic design. After a few years, I realized my core strength was not in graphics itself, unfortunately, it was for my ego. I was decent enough, but what I thrived and enjoyed most was client interaction. I parlayed the customer relations experience into account and project management specifically within advertising. It is the perfect space from my point of view.”
Betty Vang-Do – Sr Project & Account Manager/Costa Mesa
Who has been the biggest influence in your professional career?
“I’ve always followed and looked up to Wendy Clark (CEO, Dentsu) for her growth mindset and appreciation for the agency craft. Women can all learn from Angela Ahrendts (SVP, Apple) and her ability to lead yet bring her “whole self” to the job.”
Alexa Ellis – Chief Operations Officer/Atlanta
“Marisa Thalberg. I had the opportunity to work with her before her current role at Lowe’s when she was the Chief Brand Officer at Taco Bell. She’s fearless and unapologetically herself. She’s a visionary and people naturally look up to her.”
Kelli-Rae Coughlin – Sr Brand Solutions Director/Costa Mesa
“I’ve been influenced by different people along my career path, but I’d have to say one of the female VPs I worked with for only a brief amount of time at one point in my career. She showed me you can be successful while being kind yet firm, and was also authentic and open about hard lessons she learned along the way.”
Heather Broscious – SVP Brand Solutions/Costa Mesa
What was the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
“Starting Swarm. At one point, we had our water turned off. We didn’t have a lot of money in the bank when we started that agency, but the risk paid off.”
Alexa Ellis – Chief Operations Officer/Atlanta
“Changing career paths after investing 10 years in a different industry – was scary and nerve-wracking, but VERY much worth it.”
Ingrid Sandahl – Sr Brand Solutions Manager/Costa Mesa
“Going back to school for my Master’s. While raising twin daughters and in my 30’s, I decided to get my master’s degree. It was a huge risk and undertaking but I am so happy that I did it!”
Kirsten Wright – VP of Marketing/Remote
“The biggest risk I’ve taken was quitting my corporate job and taking a four year sabbatical. At the time, I was working long hours, stressed, and overall very unhappy. On the job, I was a high-producing exemplary employee. However, inside I felt I had failed at prioritizing my own life. Looking back, it was the best decision I’ve ever made in my career. It was a big risk I took but the reward was resoundingly worth it. I’m back in the corporate world but with a different focus now that makes me happier and overall better at my job.”
Betty Vang-Do – Sr Project & Account Manager/Costa Mesa
What is your greatest career success?
“Working with my team and seeing them grow in their careers has been my definition of success.”
Alexa Ellis – Chief Operations Officer/Atlanta
“Being a part of several re-brand projects and launches, growing brand presence on digital and social media and watching their businesses flourish as a result.”
Ingrid Sandahl – Sr Brand Solutions Manager/Costa Mesa
“Emotional success when Fuel offered me an endless contract.”
Natalya Polyakova – Server Developer/Russia
“Being a part of something far greater than myself. I found those big team efforts to be the most successful.”
Kelli-Rae Coughlin – Sr Brand Solutions Director/Costa Mesa
“Success happens every time we produce something that is award-winning that also meets our clients’ goals. Also, my kiddos turned out pretty great, so I count that as a success in my parallel career.”
Catherine Gudvangen – VP Content/Costa Mesa
“Finding my home with SCS was the first time that I felt that I could truly grow into something long-term and with that, being promoted to a VP before 40 became a goal for me, and that was achieved. I was beyond proud of the work that I put in to get there and that I accomplished it a few years early!”
Kirsten Wright – VP of Marketing/Remote
“I’ve considered it a success being part of someone’s growth in their career, and even better, being able to promote them!”
Heather Broscious – SVP Brand Solutions/Costa Mesa
“I would say anytime I’ve won over a tough client. It may not be a specific award but it is rewarding to know you’ve overcome a client’s hard exterior.”
Betty Vang-Do – Sr Project & Account Manager/Costa Mesa
What can the industry do to be more equitable to women?
“Flexible work schedules are beneficial to women in every industry. We need to acknowledge that women are still frequently the primary caregivers for aging parents and small children. Their experience and leadership are both unique and valuable, and I believe organizations are better when they have women in leadership. We can meet them on their own terms with a little more flexibility in the workplace.”
Alexa Ellis – Chief Operations Officer/Atlanta
“Actually I’ve never experienced women inequality at Fuel/SCS. I saw it many times in my home country. At a Russian company, when I got married, my boss said that nobody would hire women who will become pregnant. Our government financially compensates, but not fast and not all. We also have a very short maternity leave compared to the United States.”
Natalya Polyakova – Server Developer/Russia
“Continue to challenge the leaders of brands to ensure there is proper representation in the room where decisions are made. It will only make the company stronger. Don’t be afraid of change and embrace the aspects of women that make them superheroes.”
Kelli-Rae Coughlin – Sr Brand Solutions Director/Costa Mesa
“Start mentoring early. Provide opportunities for growth and have a plan to make it happen for each individual. Spend time in the hiring process to make sure that you are seeing all of the talent out there. Erase the gender pay gap. You need to have as many voices as possible around the writer’s table and behind the camera.”
Catherine Gudvangen – VP Content/Costa Mesa
“Where do I start… Ha! I have spent the majority of my career in male-dominated fields and the biggest thing I have noticed is that women are significantly less emotional than men are in business – but for some reason, we get the bad rap. We need to knock off the assumptions and start treating everyone like humans. I also believe that discussing salaries more openly across roles and genders helps to level-set expectations. If we don’t talk about it, we can’t change it.”
Kirsten Wright – VP of Marketing/Remote
“There are still steps that the working world can continue to take for equality, but Marketing/Advertising is an influential industry – let’s start here! Over the last few years, the reality of inequality for women dealing with infertility, having multiples, and trying to transition back into the workforce has become a huge personal passion point for me. We don’t talk about it openly, so I think continuing the conversation to overcome the awkwardness is so important. Women deal with this mental, emotional and physical issue yet continue to try and compartmentalize and prove themselves at work regardless of how they are feeling that day. Lastly, I think anyone and everyone would benefit from digging deep into unconscious bias – whether it’s training or open conversations. I don’t want special treatment because I’m a woman, but there are behaviors that are ingrained in our culture that still don’t make us feel like we’re equal or carry the same weight with our voice.”
Heather Broscious – SVP Brand Solutions/Costa Mesa
“Allow for income visibility across the board and show clear paths to achieving incomes.”
Betty Vang-Do – Sr Project & Account Manager/Costa Mesa
As the author of this post, and a woman just starting out in the branding and marketing world, these women are highly inspirational to me. Watching them in action I feel the strength and tenacity behind their grind. As women, we grow up feeling the lingering presence of patriarchal influences that we must surmount and overcome. There is still much progress to be made and many matters to be addressed in order to provide a healthy space for everyone. SCS stands behind these women who are working for more change so that one day there won’t be a Women’s History Month.
Thank you to Alexa, Heather, Ingrid, Betty, Kelli-Rae, Natalya, Kirsten, and Catherine for sharing your stories.
