leadership

about leadership

about leadership

Keeping ideas big and egos small

Get to know our leadership teama powerful engine that empowers brands with strategy-fueled creativity.

  • Favorite superhero
    Spider Man. He was a reluctant superhero who overcame his teenage insecurities to find ways to save the day. Creator Stan Lee understood that we can all do great things at any age. And that, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” 

    Believes in 
    The right WHO will always help you figure out the WHAT and HOW.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Being NICE and keeping it real. Always being authentic and kind.

    Proud moment at work
    Was trusted by CVS when they made the decision to stop selling tobacco. It was a $2 billion decision that we kept a secret and they empowered us to help them launch it. 
     
    Fave office decor 
    The Evander Holyfield boxing gloves and robe. He was a five-time heavyweight champion. Proof that hard work and mental toughness counts in this world. And the star of an (add)ventures public service campaign, and party too!

    Before the (add)venture
    I worked on the client side at EMC Corporation. I hated how the large agencies treated me and my colleagues. It motivated me to start a new kind of agency. I knew we could produce better while treating people better too. Clients as partners and employees like family. We would be NICE—Nurturers with Intelligence, Character and Energy—who share (add)ventures and enjoy the journey (together)!

    (add)love
    I am the original (add)love-r
    City Year
    Concussion Legacy Foundation
    Joe Andruzzi Foundation
    Hasbro Children’s Hospital
    Rhode Island Hospital ICU
    Mass General
    Brigham & Women’s Hospital
    Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston
    The Paper Bag Project Miami

    Member of … 
    Forbes Agency Council
    Leadership Rhode Island
    Boston College Alumni Board
    LaSalle Academy Alumni Board
    The Wheeler School Board
    Boys and Girls Clubs of New England Hall of Famer

    Alma mater
    Boston College

    Kids or pets
    3 children, 1 dog 

    Fun Fact
    I was recruited and vetted by the U.S. Secret Service to drive in a presidential motorcade. From Air Force One and back, I drove the first car behind the limos. Right behind the one carrying the “nuclear football.” A rear-end collision away from launching nuke Armageddon. Yup, no pressure, at all. Nice to know that I passed all the international security and criminal background checks. 

    Get more details on Steve’s LinkedIn

  • Favorite superhero
    Wonder Woman. She’s fearless, empathetic and strong.

    Believes in 
    Viewing any business challenge with optimism, focus and perspective.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Seeing through the chaos and distilling clear, concise results.

    Fave desk decor 
    A ceramic vase I use as a pen and pencil holder. It was part of my daughter’s first art show!

    Before the (add)venture
    Corporate communications and marketing at the largest community health system in Massachusetts.

    (add)love
    Hasbro Children’s Hospital
    March of Dimes
    Adoption Rhode Island
    Joe Andruzzi Foundation
    Sojourner House
    Tufts University Alumni Relations and Admissions Interviewer
    The Wheeler School volunteer
    Bread of Life Food Pantry

    Member of … 
    Public Relations Society of America 
    Leadership Rhode Island
    Executive Women Leadership Group
    Association of Marketing Professionals

    Alma mater
    Tufts University
    Providence College

    Kids or pets
    3 kids and a bernedoodle (my first dog ever)

    Fun Fact
    I was an “actress” on “Real Stories of the Highway Patrol.” In the episode I was in we re-enacted the hold-up of a pharmacy by an axe-wielding psychopath who was looking for money and drugs. I was the store clerk who remained calm and called 9-1-1. Truly my start in healthcare marketing.

    Get more details on Mary’s LinkedIn

  • Favorite superhero
    My dad. He was kind, positive and hardworking.

    Believes in 
    Building an environment that embraces vulnerability to allow creative collaboration.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Uncovering the intersection of brand truths and human truths.

    Proud moment at work
    Leading the development and implementation of creative strategy into our everyday process. 

    Fave desk decor 
    An old Kodak Brownie camera from my mom. She was the unofficial photographer who captured special family moments.

    Before the (add)venture
    Led the creative department for a healthcare publishing company.

    (add)love
    Alzheimer's Association
    American Cancer Society
    Sojourner House

    Member of … 
    Leadership Rhode Island
    RISD Alumni Association
    DESIGNxRI

    Alma mater
    Rhode Island School of Design

    Kids or pets
    Daughter Alexandra, son Ian and dog Miley

    Fun Fact
    I once rode my Harley Davidson across the country from Rhode Island to South Dakota and back.

    Get more details on Wayne’s LinkedIn.

  • Favorite superhero
    My dad. He always impressed me as a smart, hardworking, respected, caring person.

    Believes in
    Honesty and respect. I can’t expect these attributes from others unless I display them myself.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Giving 110% to our clients so they succeed while treating all people as human beings with humor, empathy and respect.

    Proud moment at work
    Finishing the renovations at our EPIC Headquarters. We had some interesting and fun times. Ask me about it.
     
    Fave desk decor 
    Picture of my kids. They are my life.

    Before the (add)venture
    23+ years with the Rhode Island State Police; retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and 3rd in command.

    (add)love
    Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
    Ocean Tides

    Member of … 
    FBI National Academy
    Leadership Rhode Island

    Alma mater
    Roger Williams University 
    Salve Regina University 

    Kids or pets
    4 great kids

    Fun Fact
    I was the second-best “backer-upper” during my emergency vehicle operations course while training to be a state trooper.

    Get more details on Joe’s LinkedIn

  • Favorite superhero
    Wolverine. He’s sort of an anti-hero. Cranky, brooding but strong, powerful with amazing instincts. And can he bounce back fast. It’s all about the bounce back. 

    Believes in 
    You spend more time with the people you work with than the people you love. You should love what you do and where you do it. 

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    By solving problems. Identifying the challenge and then finding that unique solution that will make everyone happy.

    Proud moment at work
    What am I most proud of? Ask me after the next project. And then the one after that….

    Fave desk decor 
    I have a coaster on my desk that says “I tried to be normal once. Worst two minutes of my life.” 

    Before the (add)venture
    Partner of a small ad agency in Providence.

    (add)love
    Sojourner House
    St. Mary Academy - Bay View

    Member of … 
    Leadership Rhode Island
    American Marketing Association

    Alma mater
    University of Rhode Island

    Kids or pets
    One daughter named Sophie and a French bulldog named Archie

    Fun Fact
    I am a little obsessed with two things—French Bulldogs and Instagram—and oftentimes they cross over. 

    Get more details on Andrea’s LinkedIn

  • Favorite superhero
    Superman. He embodies truth, justice and the American way.
                        
    Believes in 
    Trust is the most essential trait for leaders. A quote I read said, “It’s easier to trust people that we like, and we like people that we can trust.” Leaders never stop earning trust.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Delivering high-impact creative solutions that uplift the brand narrative, breathe vitality into its identity, and create engaging, meaningful moments that resonate with people.

    Proud moment at work
    Every day offers a new challenge and opportunity.
     
    Fave desk decor 
    Army Core Values pendant I’ve carried for more than 30 years. A reminder of what I try to bring to (add)ventures each day. It’s a bit banged up, but has traveled all over the world with me. 

    Before the (add)venture
    Led a video production company.

    (add)love
    Tides Family Services
    Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale

    Member of … 
    National Academy of TV Arts and Sciences

    Alma mater
    U.S. Army
    The City College of New York
    Rhode Island College

    Kids or pets
    Daughter

    Fun Fact
    My dream is to hit a hole-in-one on the 17th island green at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida.

    Get more details on Scott’s LinkedIn

  • Favorite superhero
    My father. I lost my mother at a very early age so my father has been my superhero … always there when I need him … doing it all without a cape. 

    Believes in 
    Less talking and more doing. It’s about driving business outcomes for our clients every minute of every day. 

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Delivering on the moral obligation that we have to ourselves and our clients to: “Do well by doing good.” 

    Proud moment at work
    While I take great pride in the work I’ve been a part of, I’m most proud of watching past colleagues go on to do incredible things in work and in life. 
     
    Fave desk decor 
    The book “Let My People Go Surfing” by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia. It’s a gentle reminder that we should always find ways to pay it forward. 

    Before the (add)venture
    Former CMO and agency lead with career stops all over the world. 

    (add)love
    Dana Farber
    Cradles to Crayons
    Greater Boston Food Bank
    Boys & Girls Clubs of America 

    Member of … 
    AAAA
    Ad Club of Boston
    Faculty of Colby College and Boston University

    Alma mater
    Colby College

    Kids or pets
    Twin daughters, 1 dog, 5 chickens

    Fun Fact
    I was a backup goalkeeper for the New England Revolution. My contract consisted of a parking pass and a gas card.

  • Favorite superhero
    Are Care Bears superheroes? Love-a-lot Bear was always my favorite.

    Believes in
    Kindness

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by …
    Great communication, transparency and thoughtfulness.

    Proud moment at work
    Growing a team of talented Project Managers who adeptly oversee our client partners’ intricate campaigns and creative projects with skill, mindfulness and resilience.

    Fave desk decor
    I am obsessed with Blackwing Pencils. I refuse to throw away—even the smallest of nubs—and keep them in a pencil graveyard on my desk.

    Before the (add)venture
    My first job out of college was with AdAge magazine in New York City. From there, I worked with lots of different ad agencies but had the opportunity to be home with my daughter, Olivia, for eight years before coming to (add)ventures. I absolutely love working, but those years were some of the best.

    (add)love
    My favorite (add)love activity is the Valentines project with the assisted living facility, Waterview Villa. My Dad went to rehabilitation there and my birthday is on Valentine’s Day, so it holds a special place in my heart (pun intended), HA!

    Alma mater
    Bay View and Emerson College

    Kids or pets
    Daughter Olivia, son Luca and a French bulldog named Vasco.

    Fun Fact
    When I was a starving college student, I entered a Ben and Jerry’s competition to create a new flavor and win free pints of ice cream for a year! I entered a flavor called “The Ginger and Mary Ann”. It was peach ice cream with chunks of crystalized ginger and dark chocolate. I won in the state of Massachusetts, but alas, Chunky Monkey won the nationwide selection. I got a free Ben & Jerry’s t-shirt but remained very hungry.

    Get more details on Kelly’s LinkedIn.

  • Favorite musician
    Willie Nelson. You can feel his modesty and humbleness exude from the stage.

    Believes in 
    The power of advocating for end users. 

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Helping our teams uncover their strongest potential and helping our clients uncover the most impactful benefits their brand can offer.

    Proud moment at work
    Seeing others succeed as well as seeing our clients succeed. Currently it’s the work we do for our clients with a global reach created by our teams that span globally. 
     
    Fave desk decor 
    A Crosley Voyager Turntable. Right now it’s spinning Led Zeppelin’s "In Through The Out Door,"  Side One.

    Before the (add)venture
    Led brand experience team at a product and service design firm based in Boston.

    (add)love
    Co-founded “Gravity Gives RI” to help nonprofits raise funds through art experiences. Beneficiaries include The Autism Project and Youth Pride of Rhode Island.

    Member of … 
    Leadership Rhode Island
    American Institute of Graphic Art 

    Alma mater
    Massachusetts College of Art and Design
    Rhode School of Design

    Kids or pets
    Dog named Layla

    Fun Fact
    I live in a former industrial bakery with many architectural and functional elements, including the ovens—still intact!

    Get more details on Richard’s LinkedIn

  • Favorite musical artist 
    The band Wilco. I could listen to them all day long.

    Believes in 
    Listening first and speaking second.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Building solutions that are deeply rooted in strategy. Ensuring that our teams have a complete picture of the challenge at hand to do our best possible work.

    Fave desk decor 
    My desk clock. Sometimes it’s just better to see time in analog.

    Before the (add)venture
    After completing an internship at (add)ventures, I have spent the majority of my professional career here, advancing through the ranks.

    (add)love
    A Wish Come True 
    Central Falls School District Career Technical Education Program 
    Joe Andruzzi Foundation

    Member of … 
    American Marketing Association

    Alma mater
    University of Rhode Island

    Kids or pets
    One amazing son and one increasingly annoying cat.

    Fun Fact
    I met my real-life doppelganger. I was visiting my sister while she studied abroad in Copenhagen, and I stopped dead in my tracks. It was the most surreal experience of my life.

    Get more details on Dominic’s LinkedIn

  • Favorite superhero
    My mom. She can see in the dark, has eyes in the back of her head, and can take control of a group of rowdy kids with just one look! But her greatest power is making the world a better place.

    Believes in 
    Respecting and valuing what everyone has to offer by supporting opportunities for growth and development, as well as creating a positive and encouraging work environment.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Being authentic, genuine and listening to what people need.

    Proud moment at work
    Working on projects that have a positive impact on society.  

    Before the (add)venture
    I worked at a publishing company as a graphic designer and production artist.

    (add)love
    Help support many activities, but one favorite is organizing an annual luncheon every February at a local nursing home and arranging handmade cards from local students and flowers for residents.

    Member of … 
    Volunteer for Barrington Schools 

    Alma mater
    Salve Regina University

    Kids or pets
    2 kids: daughter named Lyla and son named Lucas. We also have a dog and a cat.

    Fun Fact
    I once stopped traffic to save a chicken running around the streets of Providence. 

    Get more details on Erin’s LinkedIn.  

  • Favorite superhero
    Marvel superheroes. Despite all of their positive attributes, they all have flaws and imperfections which represent the human experience and how we succeed.

    Believes in 
    Honesty and authenticity.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Bringing teams together that have a balance of diversity and creativity.

    Proud moment at work
    I am most proud of our team’s ability to adapt during the pandemic. We implemented new tools and workflows to quickly respond to our clients’ needs.

    Fave desk decor 
    My cat Fenris. He joins me during meetings from my home office. 

    Before the (add)venture
    Produced toy commercials for Hasbro.

    (add)love
    American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
    American Cancer Society

    Member of … 
    Leadership Rhode Island 
    NATAS of New England

    Alma mater
    UMass Lowell

    Kids or pets
    Two cats, Fenris and Loki

    Fun Fact
    I study a Japanese sword martial art called Ono-Ha Itto-Ryu.

    Get more details on Keely’s LinkedIn

  • Favorite superhero
    Super Man. I admire how he appears ordinary but harnesses his superhuman abilities for the greater good.

    Believes in
    Leading by example and willingly doing what others are doing. Nothing is beneath me.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by …
    By focusing on clear and concise messaging, avoiding unnecessary abstract concepts. Our creative work is designed to resonate with a wide audience, rather than solely for the sake of creativity itself.

    Fave desk decor
    A 1930’s Kodak camera that was used by a distant relative during WWII to capture historical images of Nazi Germany.

    Before the (add)venture
    Partner of a small ad agency in Providence.

    (add)love
    Boy Scouts of America
    American Heart Association
    Sharon Food Pantry

    Alma mater
    UMass Dartmouth

    Kids or pets
    2 boys and 1 grandson

    Fun Fact
    For the past 50 years, pottery has been a passion of mine, and more recently, I've set up a studio in my basement to indulge in this analog way of being creative.

    Get more details on Paul’s LinkedIn

  • Favorite superhero
    My mom: Despite experiencing gradual and sudden loss from Multiple Sclerosis for over 50 years, my mother always greets each day with gratitude and a smile.

    Believes …
    Our team can tackle and solve anything.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by …
    Caring about the work and paying attention to the details.

    Fave desk decor
    My Pop’s 1950 metal Ovaltine can.

    Before the (add)venture
    NYC magazines and universities

    Member of …
    American Institute of Graphic Arts
    Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

    Alma mater
    New York University
    Parsons School of Design

    Kids or pets
    2 daughters, 2 sweet hound dogs, and one handsome cat.

    Fun Fact
    A sea lion once popped up near my board when I was surfing in Santa Cruz.

    Get more details on Kim’s LinkedIn.

  • Favorite superhero
    Women: They are never afraid to jump into action for the people they love, using super powers that go far beyond what you might see in the movies.

    Believes in
    Treating people with kindness and finding common ground.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by …
    Listening to what people need before reacting so I can better understand how to help them.

    Fave desk decor
    I keep reminders of inside jokes, thank you notes, and even a little G.I. Joe in tree pose.

    Before the (add)venture
    I worked in Film and TV development and production in New York City and as a freelance producer in New England.

    (add)love
    Adoption Rhode Island
    Rhode Island Community Food Bank

    Alma mater
    Northeastern University

    Kids or pets
    1 dog named Linus. He has little man syndrome and a killer underbite.

    Fun Fact
    My husband and I love to travel. We have been to el fin del mundo (Ushuaia, Argentina), where we hiked the southernmost hikable peak in the Andes. We have also gone sledding down the side of a volcano in Nicaragua and snorkeled between tectonic plates in Iceland in the winter.

  • Favorite book
    “Neverwhere” by Neil Gaiman. Love the way he takes readers on journeys into fantastical worlds overflowing with compelling characters through his masterful storytelling.

    Believes in 
    Following my intuition, open communication and being the go-to girl when there’s a puzzle to be solved.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by ...
    Connecting with people on an emotional level—being able to understand thoughts and feelings helps ensure we’re always delivering the right content, at the right moment. 

    Proud moment at work
    Developing the messaging for the rebrand of the Stop & Shop Delivery & Pickup trucks; whenever we pass one, the kids always excitedly shout, “Hey! It’s your truck!”—it’s adorable!
     
    Fave desk decor 
    Many tiny treasures grace my desk, but if I had to choose just one, it would probably be the framed photo of my dog sporting a tuxedo.

    Before the (add)venture
    Senior copywriter for a national retail brand, but the first part of my career was spent in publishing, trusty red pen in hand, as a managing editor.

    (add)love 
    Lingzi Foundation

    Member of  
    Kappa Gamma Pi

    Alma mater
    The College of New Rochelle

    Kids or pets
    Two stepdaughters and a spunky Schnoodle

    Fun Fact
    I’m a whiz with dates. Once I know the date of someone’s birthday, I never forget it!


    Get more details on Jenn’s LinkedIn

  • Favorite superhero
    Captain America—I like that he's grounded. In a fantasy world of magic and gods, he's out there punching and throwing a shield.

    Believes in 
    Accountability and building a culture that breeds growth.

    Makes brands healthy and people happy by … 
    Getting the client the right solutions and implementing them successfully. 

    Proud moment at work
    Growing the engineering department from the ground up and quickly adapting to our clients’ needs during the pandemic, while maintaining the same level of quality and efficiency. 

    Fave desk decor 
    My Jay and Silent Bob action figures. I’ve had them on my desk for the last 17 years. “Clerks” is my favorite movie.

    Before the (add)venture
    Lead website developer for an international children’s book publishing company. 

    (add)love
    Ronald McDonald House
    The Jimmy Fund

    Alma mater
    University of Tampa

    Kids or pets
    One son named Connor

    Fun Fact
    I used to be a stand-up comedian, and once did a show with Gary Gulman. 

    Get more details on Jim’s LinkedIn