I’m a global media and creative leader with roots in international production, spanning film, television, commercials, branded content and corporate storytelling. Today, I lead a global media team at Oliver Wyman, bringing together creative talent across markets, cultures and disciplines. I believe great creative work starts with a compelling human story—and as AI expands what’s possible, taste, curiosity and human judgment matter more than ever.
How many years have you been a judge?
5+
What are your responsibilities in your current role and what do you love most about your job?
As a founding member of Oliver Wyman’s Creative Studio, I oversee our media team’s creative work and lead a global team spanning four regions—so creativity is happening around the clock.
What I love most is bringing together people from different cultures, backgrounds and creative perspectives, and seeing what becomes possible when those differences come together. Working within a global consulting firm also gives me a unique window into some of the world’s biggest challenges. Every day, I get to learn something new and explore how creativity and storytelling can help make complex ideas clearer, more human and more impactful.
What inspired you to pursue your career path?
I started in film school because I loved storytelling, and that passion eventually led me into advertising, production and creative leadership. New York was always a place where big ideas felt possible, and I quickly realized that what I love most is not just having an idea, but bringing it to life—from the first spark to something people can actually see, feel and experience. At heart, I’m both a storyteller and a problem solver, and that combination has shaped every step of my career.
What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?
My first job in the industry was art directing a jewelry commercial in Beijing. It gave me a front-row seat to the entire creative process—from ideation and storyboarding to production and post-production. What stayed with me most, though, was watching the director balance creative vision with client feedback—how to listen, persuade, negotiate and still protect the idea. It taught me early on that great creative work isn’t just about having a strong idea; it’s also about bringing people along with you.
What do you look for to determine excellence in video?
To me, excellence doesn’t happen all at once. It comes from what you believe in, what you learn along the way, and how far you’re willing to push an idea. In creative work, we’re always navigating constraints—budget, time, client buy-in—but great work finds a way to push beyond them. Even if you move the creative boundary by just one small step, those steps add up. Excellence is not always about perfection; it’s about continuing to push what’s possible.
What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?
As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the creative industry, I find myself appreciating human storytelling even more—our experiences, perspectives and the way we connect emotionally with an audience. Right now, I’m developing a documentary initiative that explores a more human way of telling our brand story. I’m excited about moving beyond traditional corporate storytelling and finding new ways for our brand to show up in the market and connect with our clients.
Tell us about a moment of recognition that had an effect on you – whether personal or official? What does recognition mean to you and why is it important in our industry?
Recognition has mattered to me since film school, when we worked hard not only to make films, but to put them out into the world through film festivals. Later, working in advertising, I saw how powerful it can be for a creative team to feel seen and heard.
One moment that stayed with me came from a corporate volunteer project my team chose to tell as a documentary rather than a traditional corporate video. The project went on to win in the documentary category, but what mattered most was what happened afterward: that recognition gave us the confidence—and the internal support—to push this kind of storytelling further.
To me, that’s why recognition matters. It doesn’t just celebrate what you’ve already made; sometimes it gives you the courage and opportunity to make what comes next.
Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?
I stay curious. I watch things, explore different cultures and pay attention to ideas outside my own industry. I also try not to fall in love with the first answer. I like asking, “What else could this be?” For me, some of the best creative ideas come from connecting two things that weren’t supposed to go together.
In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?
AI is changing our industry at an incredible pace—making things possible that we couldn’t have imagined before, and allowing us to create faster than ever. But speed and possibility aren’t the same as meaning. Human emotion, taste and judgment still matter. If your work can solve a problem, move people, challenge how they see the world, or simply make them feel something, there will always be a place for great storytellers. My advice is to embrace the technology, stay curious, but never lose sight of the human reason you’re creating in the first place.
What excites you about judging for the Telly Awards?
I’ve always considered the Telly Awards a place to learn. Judging gives me a window into incredible work from around the world and a chance to see how storytelling, technology and creative trends are evolving. It’s creative fuel for me—I’m especially excited to see how people are experimenting with new technologies while still finding fresh ways to connect with audiences. Every year, I come away inspired by something I didn’t expect.
