Lynn Branigan sits down with Randa Stephan, Global Chief Brand & Corporate Strategy Officer at Burson, for an unfiltered conversation that moves from career beginnings to leadership in the middle of industry transformation. Randa shares how being a middle child shaped her EQ, why family and health come first (with a loving nod to carbs), and what it means to lead with “high standards and heart.” She also offers real-world advice on navigating change, especially the importance of exploring early-career options and never burning bridges in a tightly connected industry.

Key moments & takeaways

Background & identity: Born and raised in Northern New Jersey; first-generation Palestinian American; parents were scientists in pharmaceuticals.

Siblings & “middle child energy”: One of three daughters; identifies as the “quiet but passionate peacemaker,” high EQ, thoughtful, and a natural negotiator. Lynn relates as a middle child (middle of 7, then 9).

How she found advertising: Psychology major drawn to culture + behavior; fascinated by combining creativity and strategy to “move communities” and “move markets.”

Memorable start: Landed early agency role after showing up to interviews on crutches post double knee surgery, an unforgettable (and very on-brand) origin story.

Priorities shift over time: Early career was all-in on work; later life stages prompted deeper questions about attention, energy, and what deserves it.

Maternal health advocacy: Randa shares a serious near-miss experience during childbirth that shaped her priorities and led to advocacy work (including testifying to Congress).

Advice to moms: “Give yourself the grace to change your expectations (not ‘lower’ them).” Agency + empowerment over guilt.

Role model: Shelly Lazarus: Admired for advancing with character, grace, intellect, and approachability, plus deep business fluency in a creative world.

Leadership style: “High standards and heart,” with humor and self-awareness; emphasis on leading through influence during transformation.

“Rock stars have hits”: A defining mantra, leaders and teams should be able to point to tangible work brought to market, not just ideas.

Proud “hit”: Launching Burson during a merger (Hill & Knowlton + BCW) under a tight timeline (~75 days), balancing stress with team-building and fun.

Advice to early-career talent: Treat disruption as opportunity; more kinds of companies exist now than when she started; be deliberate, but explore.

Final lesson: Don’t burn bridges. The industry is small; today’s recruiter can become tomorrow’s HR partner, client, colleague … or boss.

The one, the only, Jill Kelly.

Lynn sits down with Razorfish to discuss careers and of all things... sailing!

We sit down with Marla Kaplowitz to talk about Retirement, and the next chapter!

We sit down with Fern Pucheu Chief Marketing Officer ) of Endeavor Streaming, a global leader in premium video distribution and monetization for live and on-demand content across sports, entertainment, media, and lifestyle.

The World Economic Forum estimates that it will take 169 years to close the global gender gap in economic participation and opportunity, but several influential leaders are determined to shorten that distance …. significantly. When resolute women put their minds and hands together to propel other women forward, it significantly shortens the distance between where we are now and a world in which gender equality is the norm. In this conversation hosted by She Runs It on April 2nd, 2025 in New York, a panel of courageous leaders will discuss the actions necessary to pursue change and achieve equity for women in marketing, media, and tech. Learn how equal doses of inspiration and perspiration can lead to positive change. 

Moderator:

Cathryn Gonyo, Director, Executive Class Membership & Partnerships, She Runs It

Panelists:

Carina De Blois, Chief Operations Officer, North America, Ogilvy

Aleen Dreksler, Co-Founder & CEO, Betches Media

Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle, Vice President of YouTube Ads Marketing, Google

Thanks to our sponsor!

Index Exchange

Kristina Lutz, Executive Vice President of Advertising at GSTV, joins Lynn Branigan at She Runs It to talk career, Networking, and lessons learned.

We sit down with Jenny Penich of Influencer.com to learn valuable insight into her career journey!

We sit down with Val Bischak Director, Advertising sales at Netflix in our most recent executive class conversation!

Creative powerhouse. Advertising legend. Champion of DEI. Creator of Mayhem.

Susan Credle is all of these things and more. FCB Global Chair and IPG’s first-ever Global Creative Advisor, Susan has earned a reputation as one of the most respected creative executives in the ad industry, known for her rise from intern to the top creative roles at the world’s best-known agencies. She is the builder of some of the world’s biggest brands and maker of dozens of successful and beloved campaigns such as the M&M’s “spokescandies” and Allstate’s “Mayhem” – icons of popular culture.

Join us on October 10th 2024 as friends, family, and colleagues convene to roast and toast the ultimate creative luminary. It will be fun. It will be illuminating. It could be Mayhem.

Roasters:

Brian Collins, Co-Founder, COLLINS

Cindy Gallop, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, MakeLoveNotPorn

Gerry Graf, Co-Founder/CCO, SlapGlobal

Jimmy Smith, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Creative Officer, Amusement Park Entertainment