Digital Artisans

In a world reshaped by AI, global connectivity, and relentless technological advancement, the pace of disruption has never been greater. Careers are being reinvented as industries transform, and individuals everywhere are being challenged to find meaning, adaptability, and creativity in their professional paths. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, 86% of Gen Zers and 89% of millennials report that having a sense of purpose is important to their job satisfaction and well-being—a signal that fulfillment, not just function, is driving modern career trajectories.

So, what does it really mean to craft a career in this new world of constant disruption? How can we turn passion and purpose into sustainable success—and what lessons can be drawn from those who’ve navigated radical change firsthand?

In this episode of Crafted Journeys, host Suzy DeLine sits down with Ron J. Stefanski, host of DisruptED, to explore how personal purpose and professional discipline converge to shape meaningful, resilient careers. Together, they discuss how embracing disruption, finding mentorship, and honoring one’s roots can turn even life’s most difficult moments into catalysts for positive change.

Key Highlights from the Conversation…

• The Value of Liberal Arts in a Tech-Driven World: Stefanski champions the overlooked strengths of liberal arts education—critical thinking, communication, and adaptability—as the foundation for business success in the AI era.

• From Tragedy to Purpose: After the loss of his grandmother, Stefanski redirected his publishing career toward education innovation, helping adult learners earn high school diplomas and restore hope through technology.

• The Art of Continuous Growth: Inspired by his mentors, Stefanski embraces a “1% rule”—focusing on small, consistent improvement and aligning passion with discipline to create lasting impact.

Ron J. Stefanski is a veteran executive, educator, and podcast host known for chronicling the rapidly evolving landscape of work and learning. As the creator of DisruptED, Stefanski spotlights innovators transforming education, technology, and workforce development. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a background in English Literature and Art History, he has spent more than four decades leading across education and publishing—mentoring professionals, shaping innovative learning spaces, and building communities that embrace disruption as a force for good.

The world of tech rarely stands still. SaaS is growing faster than ever, reshaping how businesses deliver value, while fintech continues to reinvent how we pay, shop, and prove who we are. And the numbers back it up: The SaaS market, worth $266 billion in 2024, is projected to exceed $315.6 billion this year and surpass $1.1 trillion by 2032, growing at a 20% annual rate. This means there’s real money — and real risk — riding on getting product strategy right.

How do product leaders balance the demands of technical innovation with customer needs and organizational growth? And what does it take to translate highly complex technology into actionable business strategy?

Welcome to Crafted Journeys, brought to you by Digital Artisans. In this episode, host Suzy DeLine sits down with Laura Giddings, a seasoned product management leader whose career spans engineering, startups, and enterprise SaaS and FinTech. Together, they trace Laura’s career journey—from engineering roots at Vanderbilt to startups in Silicon Valley, through fintech pivots during COVID, and finally to blockchain-powered identity security. Along the way, Laura shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and the superpower of clear communication.

The conversation delves into…

• Career Evolution: Laura’s path from electrical engineering into software, consulting, and product leadership across SaaS, retail, and fintech.

• Pivots and Adaptability: Insights from steering through the highs of startup successes, the complexities of acquisitions, and the challenges of pandemic-driven reinventions.

• Leadership Superpowers: The importance of translating technical complexity for diverse audiences, preparing with depth, and spotlighting team expertise.

Laura Giddings is a seasoned product executive with deep expertise in SaaS, FinTech, and enterprise solutions, blending engineering roots with leadership in strategy, execution, and growth. She has led product strategy and delivery at companies like Vouch.io, Omnyway, and Staples, driving innovations in digital identity, payments, AI/ML personalization, and enterprise SaaS platforms that generated measurable business impact. Known for uniting cross-functional teams and translating complex technologies—such as blockchain, APIs, and AI—into customer-centric products, she has scaled solutions from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises.

In the noisy world of B2B marketing, it’s easy for strategies to come and go like passing trends. Yet one approach—account-based marketing—continues to prove it’s more than just a buzzword. Marketers who’ve leaned into ABM often describe it as transformative, reshaping how sales and marketing teams align around their most important customers. And the results back that up: research from ITSMA found that nearly nine out of ten marketers who track performance say ABM delivers better returns than any other marketing investment.

With such strong results, the real question becomes: what does it take to design and sustain an ABM program that works? And how do personal career pivots—across industries, roles, and even parenting—shape the artistry behind successful growth strategies?

In this episode of Crafted Journeys, host Suzy DeLine sits down with Sherry Prescott-Willis, Growth Advisor & Consultant at Digital Artisans, to explore her career path and the lessons she’s carried forward into her ABM leadership. From breaking into tech through a friend’s introduction, to scaling Aerospike’s marketing team through a global pandemic, to distilling the three essential steps for running successful ABM campaigns, Sherry shares the playbook—and artistry—behind her journey.

The conversation delves into…

• Career Evolution: Sherry’s journey from English literature major to tech marketer, with early career experiences at Chiat Day’s iconic Apple campaign and Computer Associates, set the foundation for her pivot into growth and ABM leadership.

• Scaling Through Change: She recounts leading Aerospike’s shift from in-person to virtual events during COVID, tripling pipeline and attendance while redefining how customers engage with brands.

• The ABM Blueprint: Sherry outlines the three non-negotiables for ABM success: defining the business objective, aligning executive leadership, and building a rock-solid target account list—supported by pilot testing to validate strategy.

Sherry Prescott-Willis is a Growth Advisor & Consultant at Digital Artisans, specializing in account-based marketing and demand generation. She holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature from UC Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. Over her career, Sherry has held marketing leadership roles at global software firms and fast-scaling startups, guiding organizations through IPOs, digital transformations, and enterprise growth. She is recognized for her expertise in ABM, her mentorship of marketing professionals, and her track record in building high-performing teams across geographies.

Career paths rarely move in a straight line. For Mark Morinishi, the road wound from designing playgrounds to teaching English in Japan, and eventually to leading digital engagement at a Bay Area church. His story raises a timely question: how do we find purpose when our professional lives take unexpected turns? This episode explores what it means to craft a career defined not only by talent, but by discernment, relationships, and faith.

So how does one move from landscape architecture to digital ministry, and what lessons can we draw from a career guided by curiosity and community?

In the latest episode of Crafted Journeys, host Suzy DeLine sits down with Mark Morinishi, Director of Digital Engagement & Creative Associate at Menlo Church. Together, they trace Mark’s unconventional journey—from designing parks to teaching abroad, and ultimately building online communities of faith. The conversation dives into discernment, the influence of mentors, and the importance of curiosity in both professional and personal growth.

The conversation delves into…

• From Parks to Pulpits: Mark reflects on his early career as a landscape architect, a season teaching in Japan, and the pivot that brought him into ministry at Menlo Church.

• The Power of People: He credits mentors, family, and friendships—both local and international—for shaping his journey and guiding decisions at key inflection points.

• Discernment as a Superpower: Mark describes his natural ability to make quick, intuitive decisions, tempered by curiosity and collaboration, while acknowledging the “kryptonite” side of leaning too heavily on that gift.

Mark Morinishi is a digital strategy and brand engagement leader with a decade of experience growing online platforms, producing cross-channel content, and leading creative teams. At Menlo Church, he spearheaded the launch of the online campus, podcast network (1.7M+ downloads), and YouTube channel, while also driving social media growth and helping raise $80M through a major capital campaign. Known for combining strategic vision with hands-on production and team development, he has guided organizations through cultural shifts while building sustainable digital communities.

What started as a simple race to rank on Google has become a complex game of algorithms, analytics, and AI. Today, standing out online takes more than keywords—it takes strategy, adaptability, and a clear vision. With billions of searches happening every day, businesses are under mounting pressure to capture attention in a digital landscape that’s constantly shifting. In 2024 alone, brands spent nearly $1.1 trillion on advertising worldwide, with digital channels accounting for more than $790 billion of that total—proof of just how fierce the competition for visibility has become.

So what does it take to build a marketing consultancy that thrives across industries, adapts to new technology, and mentors the next generation of digital professionals?

In this episode of Crafted Journeys, brought to you by Digital Artisans, host Suzy DeLine sits down with Karen Atkinson, Founder of Mediaholix. Together, they explore Karen’s eclectic career path—from chemistry labs and patents, to product management and sales leadership, to pioneering work in SEO and digital marketing. Their conversation covers both the science and artistry of building a brand in the digital age.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Karen pivoted from a career in chemistry and product management to launch Mediaholix, a digital marketing consultancy.

• Why AI is not killing SEO, and how fundamentals like user experience remain central to success.

• The importance of mentorship in marketing—and how Mediaholix is actively shaping the next generation of digital artisans.

Karen Atkinson is the Founder of Mediaholix Ltd., a digital marketing consultancy specializing in SEO, content marketing, automation, and ROI-driven strategy, with operations in both the UK and San Francisco. She began her career as a research chemist at UCB Films, where she earned patents on polymer innovations, before moving into product marketing and rising to Sales Director at British Traders & Shippers. For over a decade, she has led Mediaholix, helping businesses grow through data-driven digital marketing strategies, inbound campaigns, and bespoke solutions tailored to client goals.

A strong work ethic can shape a career long before it begins. That foundation guided one marketing leader through decades of corporate experience, where she collaborated with teams across the globe and built a reputation for persistence and follow-through. After retiring from a senior leadership role, Bridget Benedetti chose not to step away from the industry but to reimagine her impact—helping B2B companies embrace the authenticity of user-generated content (UGC) and the efficiency of AI as cornerstones of modern marketing.

How can marketing leaders turn constraints into opportunities—and what role can authenticity and technology play in bridging the gap?

On this episode of Crafted Journeys, brought to you by Digital Artisans, host Suzy DeLine speaks with Bridget Benedetti, Marketing Consultant at MarketScale. Their conversation explores Bridget’s career milestones, her transition into UGC coaching, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, persistence, and the evolving role of AI in marketing.

In this episode, you’ll learn about…

• Perseverance in Practice: Bridget shares her years-long effort to launch a customer advisory board, a project that ultimately opened doors to executive-level client relationships and reshaped engagement strategy.

• AI as a Personal Assistant: From drafting emails to summarizing transcripts, Bridget highlights how AI has become a time-saving partner, helping marketers focus on strategy instead of busywork.

• Collaboration and Culture: She reflects on the supportive, inclusive culture at MarketScale, showing how intentional connection and teamwork drive innovation across a distributed workforce.

Bridget Benedetti is a marketing consultant and user-generated content coach with MarketScale. Based in Peoria, Arizona, she previously served nearly a decade as Marketing Director at Hexagon, a global technology company where she collaborated with teams on multiple continents. Known for her persistence and collaborative leadership, Bridget has championed initiatives that strengthened client relationships and elevated marketing impact. Today, she helps B2B companies harness UGC and AI tools to meet modern marketing challenges with authenticity and efficiency.