Creative Leadership With Heart

Graciela Del Toro—now VP of Creative Operations & Resourcing at Bond and formerly Creative Ops Lead at Netflix (plus a stint at Apple)—joins Creative Leadership with Heart to unpack her non-linear path from music major to entertainment marketing to creative operations leader . We dig into: The “Napster moment” that blew up her original plan—and the pivot into film & trailers Agency vs. ent...

What does it take to pivot across industries — from alcohol marketing to Disney, and then to Netflix — while leading global creative teams? In this episode of Creative Leadership with Heart , Rico sits down with Gavin Quirk , Head of Innovation Operations at Netflix (and formerly of Disney & Diageo), to explore a career path filled with bold pivots, setbacks, and growth. 💬 Gavin shares: His j...

Welcome back to Creative Leadership with Heart! In this episode, we sit down with Ali Lindsay, marketing leader and founder of the Cocoon Collective, to dive deep into her career journey—from her start in media agencies to leading marketing teams for innovative K–12 schools, and ultimately creating her own consulting practice. Ali shares:Her early days at NYU and how she pivoted from performing ar...

Today’s guest is Al Carns, Senior Art Director at Lionsgate, whose 25-year creative journey started as an unpaid intern and came full circle with one of the most culturally relevant films of the decade, The Blackening. Al shares:His origin story and early artistic influencesThe power of representation in mediaWhy creative work must speak to the soul, not just sellHis mission to give back through h...

In this episode of Creative Leadership with Heart, we sit down with Michelle Brogan, Head of Go-To-Market at Allianz and former Regional Head of Marketing at Symantec. Michelle shares her inspiring career journey—from falling into digital marketing in the early '90s to leading global marketing teams today. She opens up about:The evolution of digital marketing and customer insightsWhy storytell...

When Farnas Esnaashari was repeatedly denied promotions in the animation industry, she didn’t wait for permission — she created her own lane. In this inspiring episode, hosts Leonard Samuels and Rico Nasal sit down with Farnas, the powerhouse behind Pitch Dox and a showrunner with deep roots at Nickelodeon. She opens up about being underestimated, sleeping in classrooms to meet deadlines, taking m...

Today on Creative Leadership with Heart , I'm joined by my good friend Andry Haryanto — VP of Finance and Strategy at Vida Health and former Netflix strategist. Andry shares his fascinating journey from chemical engineering to private equity, to Silicon Valley tech giant Netflix, and now to transformative healthcare. We dive deep into leadership challenges across companies of all sizes, the im...

🎥 Meet Sally Montana – A Globally Renowned Photographer and DirectorJoin us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Sally Montana, a photographer and director whose career has spanned across continents and creative industries. From capturing stunning images of everyday people to immersing herself in the intense world of rodeo photography, Sally shares how her experiences in Germany, Switzerland,...

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Creative Leadership with Heart." In this episode, we are featuring Jacob Zuckerman, the VP of Design at Propel, a company focused on supporting low-income Americans. With over 20 years in the design industry, Jacob has navigated a fascinating career that spans from print to product design, working with big names like Google, Yahoo, and Nokia, as we...

🚀 From Netflix to startups, Dr. Carla Engelbrecht has spent her career shaping the future of kids' media! In our latest episode, we dive into her journey—building at Sesame Street, PBS Kids, and now founding Betweened, a platform fostering mindful behavior in children.🎙️ What does it take to innovate in kids’ tech? How do you pivot and thrive in the startup world? Carla shares it all! Don’t m...

In this episode of Creative Leadership with Hearts, host Rico Nasoul sits down with writer, author, and content designer Rebecca Ann Nguyen. Known for her work in The New York Times and Insider, Rebecca shares her journey from acting to writing, the creative struggles she faced, and how she finally embraced storytelling as her true calling. We also dive into her debut novel The 23rd Hero, which re...

Growing up in Los Angeles, entertainment was everywhere—it shaped my childhood, my interests, and ultimately, my career. But my journey wasn’t a straight line. From playing elite hockey and chasing NHL dreams to pivoting into finance and finally landing in the creative industry, my path was anything but predictable. In this episode, I break down how the culture of LA, family traditions, and even m...

In this episode, we sit down with Heather and Wil Lemus, the power duo behind Hustle LA, an innovative entertainment creative agency. Wil, Partner and Creative Director, and Heather, Partner and Managing Director, share their journey of founding Hustle LA, their insights into leadership, and their mission to create an inclusive environment where creativity thrives. 🌟 Key Topics Covered: Trusting...

Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Patrick Welde, Senior Vice President and Certified Financial Planner at The Welde Group, a Merrill Lynch wealth management team overseeing $900M for 350+ clients nationwide. Patrick shares his leadership insights, the role of faith in his career, and lessons learned from unique life experiences like professional boxing and volunteering at an orphana...

Hello listeners, and welcome to another episode of Creative Leadership With Heart. I'm your host, Rico Nasol, and today we have a very special guest with us - Sam Pagan. Sam is an animation and creative coach who has worked at some of the biggest names in the industry, including Nickelodeon Animation and Gladius Studios. But his journey to becoming a creative professional was far from a straight l...

Rapha Vasconcellos began his entrepreneurial journey shortly after college by founding a small shop with his friends, focusing on interactive design. Initially dabbling in traditional and digital advertising, Rapha soon dedicated himself to digital mediums, specializing in website creation and interactive content. His efforts paid off as his agency grew significantly. Seeking bigger opportunities,...

Today, we had the pleasure of chatting with Peter Stark, a creative powerhouse whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. From living in a hammock bed and teaching tie-dye in the Peace Corps to becoming a renowned designer in New York and LA, Peter’s story embodies resilience, passion, and tenacity. He shared invaluable lessons on inclusive leadership, balancing work and life, and the ever-evolv...

Discover the challenges faced in leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the balance between creativity and management. Learn how nurturing talent can lead to a thriving creative environment and hear candid thoughts on the impact of AI on the industry. Whether you’re an aspiring illustrator or a seasoned pro, this conversation offers valuable lessons and insights into the evolving world of a...

Today, we have an incredible guest, Glenn Sanders, the SVP of Global Creative at Eclipse Advertising in Burbank. Glenn boasts an impressive resume that includes senior creative roles at Amazon Studios and Netflix, working on iconic titles like "Lord of the Rings," "Jack Ryan," and "Harry Bosch." In this episode, Glenn reflects on his journey from traditional advertisi...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Creative Leadership With Heart." Today, Rico sits down with Phil Rhie, a lead product designer at Experian with an impressive 15-year career in product design. Phil Rhie, who once grappled with the decision of what he wanted to pursue, found himself at a crossroads upon finishing school with a degree in computer science. Despite his academic ba...

Welcome to "Creative Leadership With Heart." In today's episode, we'll dive deep into the inspiring journey of Cameron Weathers, the creative director at Amazon Studios and owner of C Weathers Group. Cameron shares insightful stories, including his notable campaign for the NAACP and his role in the series remake of "I Know What You Did Last Summer."We talked about chall...

🧵 Let's dive into an inspiring conversation with Sharon Beluku of Beluku Design on today's episode! Get ready for some serious creativity and motivation! 🎨✨ Sharon's story is not just about creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces; it's about making a difference. She discusses her unique approach to supporting girls' education in Uganda and how this mission shapes her busine...

#leadership #coaching #introvert DeAnna Gravillis began her journey in New York, where she thrived in the music industry during an era when it was financially more manageable. However, she faced challenges when transitioning to the media landscapes of television and film, which required significant adaptation and effort. Relocating to Los Angeles marked a pivotal moment in her career, likened to m...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of **Creative Chutzpah**! Today, our hosts Rico Nasol and Leonard Samuels are thrilled to be joined by Farnaz Esnaashari, a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. Farnaz, the president of content and development at Platinum Films and the visionary behind the consulting service Pitch Docs, shares her incredible journey from a creatively driven childhood to be...

Will fill out this information laterAl Carnes has always been captivated by the magic of movies and the world of art, whether it be graffiti or other forms of creative expression. His path to a successful career in the art world took a significant turn with the advent of Apple's technological revolution, which democratized access to creative tools and resources. This accessibility allowed peop...