Really Good Intro: Strategy Leader & Strategic Storyteller
Plus: Why the Best People Don’t Always Look Great on Paper
I watched a recording of a mentoring call recently, and what stuck with me wasn’t the advice itself, but how completely it missed the point.
The person on the line—sharp, thoughtful, clearly capable—had just spent the better part of the call showing their depth. They asked smart, thoughtful questions. They shared real, tangible work. You could see their potential. But the advice they got?
“Scrap the ATS version of your résumé. Make a pretty one instead.”
Never mind that they’d just proven themselves in real time. Never mind the clarity and grit they brought to the conversation. Somehow, the takeaway was: your paper needs more polish. And underneath that advice was a familiar contradiction that keeps great people stuck:
Early-career talent: “Show us your impact before we’ve let you make any.” You're expected to show logos and metrics before anyone’s given you the chance to build them.
Seasoned professionals: “Your background is too complex.” If you've been laid off, want to pivot, or took a winding path, your experience is seen as baggage, not perspective.
Caregivers and returners: “You’ve been away too long.” Never mind the leadership, strategy, or patience required to manage everything else.
Self-taught builders: “Where’s your credential?” Even if you’ve launched tools, led communities, or solved real problems, the lack of a stamp disqualifies you.
Mid-career professionals: “Why haven’t you leveled up more by now?” If you’ve chosen consistency over constant climbing, it’s seen as stagnation, not intentional growth.
Consultants and freelancers: “Where’s the stability?” The versatility, adaptability, and range it takes to succeed solo gets reframed as a red flag.
Even when someone shows up sharp, curious, and clearly doing the work, the default response is still: “Sure, but what else can you show me?” The same lived experiences that should be seen as assets become liabilities in a world obsessed with linear perfection.
That moment on the call just crystallized what I already knew:
We’re still stuck on the idea that the résumé is the clincher. And it’s costing us great people—people who don’t even get the chance to knock on the door, let alone introduce themselves. Not the paper version. The real them.
So if the résumé isn’t the whole story—and it’s not—what should we actually look for?
We need to look beyond the bullet points and into the substance. If you want to spot high-potential people, remember how to ACT:
Adaptability: How do they handle complexity and change? Do they grow from challenge or shrink under it?
Clarity: Can they explain their work in a way that brings others along? Do they make hard things easier to understand?
Trajectory: Where are they headed? What’s the shape of their growth—not just where they’ve been, but where they want to go?
Because here’s the thing: someone who’s been underestimated often develops a kind of intentionality, empathy, and drive that you can’t coach into existence. It’s molded through experience, showing up, and the resilience built up from getting overlooked and doing the work anyway.
You can’t always see that in a résumé. But you can recognize it if you’re looking for the right things. And no, you won’t find it in a bullet point.
Really Good Intro: Strategy Leader & Strategic Storyteller
Driving growth by turning human truths into creative breakthroughs
This isn’t your average strategist. This is a seasoned, values-driven leader who’s made a career by turning complexity into clarity and strategy into a creative superpower. As a Strategy Director, they’ve led high-stakes campaigns across healthcare, automotive, CPG, education, and more, guiding both clients and internal teams with curiosity, cultural fluency, and a deep sense of purpose.
Their gift? Reframing challenges as invitations to imagine and solve differently. From reviving a sleepy car brand to building inclusive healthcare campaigns for underserved communities, they deliver strategies that are as imaginative as they are effective.
They don’t just lead briefs. They lead people. They love shaping strategy at scale while mentoring junior talent, collaborating across disciplines, and creating the kind of trust that gets brave ideas approved.
What Makes Him Awesome
Achieved a 50% win rate on new business pitches, including the agency’s largest North American win
Drove a 200% sales surge and lifted a car model from #5 to #2 in market share through a bold brand strategy
Led multicultural and total-market strategies for brands like Walgreens, AT&T, Toyota, and Burger King
Infused empathy into healthcare marketing by driving inclusive, culturally grounded campaigns for Walgreens, Pfizer, and Merck, while mentoring teams in human-centered storytelling
Two-time ARF David Ogilvy Award winner for research-driven creative that resonated deeply across cultures
Quick Stats
MBA in Marketing & Org Behavior | BA in Advertising & Creative Writing
Certified in Storytelling, Creativity for Business, Social Media, and Disruptive Innovation (Cannes Lions + more)
Skills: Brand Strategy, Multicultural Marketing, Consumer Insights, Team Leadership, Creativity Coaching
Tools: Qual & quant research, trend analysis, integrated planning, strategic workshops
What They’re Looking For
A values-driven brand or agency that sees strategy as a force for both creativity and change. This person thrives in spaces where strategy meets storytelling. They are especially energized by missions that matter, teams that collaborate with heart, and leaders who value curiosity, culture, and creativity in equal measure. Whether it’s mentoring the next wave of thinkers or guiding C-suite decisions, they bring imagination, empathy, and results to every room they’re in.
Want the intro?
DM me on LinkedIn, email me at karen@reallygoodintros.com, or reply here, and I’ll be happy to connect you.