“Pushing the work, yes. Being available, yes. Being smart, dedicated, and talented, yes. Jumping in and getting her hands dirty when needed, yes. All great things that I saw consistently from Lee as CCO, working together at Zimmerman. But yes, those are also things I would hope to see from most creative leaders – so what makes Lee…Lee?
She brings her support. She somehow always has research, data, conversations, learnings and details most had forgotten from previous projects – all these things I never realized she was filing away up there in her head for the right time to apply them. It’s a gift, really.
She is down to earth. She understands real people. If you’ve ever worked with those who can’t see beyond themselves and the walls of the ad building they work in, you can appreciate this quality.
She is tough, but fair. Meaning—she can handle the heat, will take one for the team, won’t shy away from having the difficult conversations when they are necessary. She can, without batting an eye, absorb whatever is being dished out while keeping her composure, even in the stormiest of situations.
But what I appreciate most about Lee is how she always backs her team and goes to bat for the work. There is a reason for every decision, and she will pull out each one as needed.
Oh, and I have to say…she’s also a great person and damn fun to be around."
She brings her support. She somehow always has research, data, conversations, learnings and details most had forgotten from previous projects – all these things I never realized she was filing away up there in her head for the right time to apply them. It’s a gift, really.
She is down to earth. She understands real people. If you’ve ever worked with those who can’t see beyond themselves and the walls of the ad building they work in, you can appreciate this quality.
She is tough, but fair. Meaning—she can handle the heat, will take one for the team, won’t shy away from having the difficult conversations when they are necessary. She can, without batting an eye, absorb whatever is being dished out while keeping her composure, even in the stormiest of situations.
But what I appreciate most about Lee is how she always backs her team and goes to bat for the work. There is a reason for every decision, and she will pull out each one as needed.
Oh, and I have to say…she’s also a great person and damn fun to be around."
-- Rachel Migliore Tubbs, Creative Director
"Lee loves what she does — and that’s why she’s so damn good at it.
Good with people, good in the room, good at juggling mediums like flaming chainsaws. She knows when to push, when to pull, and when to yank the rug and say, “What else is there?”
I worked for Lee for two years. In that time, I got way more than I had a right to expect: strategy, soul, kindness, tenacity. She understood my wiring, had my back, and let me run. Lee rendered me fearless.
Account leadership? A natural. Presenting? Pure silk.
No matter how buried Lee was, she didn’t find time — she made it for you. When you connected, she was all in: prodding, pushing, partnering? Always about the work. Making it better, even when the climate made it damn near impossible.
Tough on the work? Yes. But never on the people. With Lee in the foxhole, you knew the work had a fighting chance — and you wanted to leave it all on the battlefield for her.
She’s part razor-sharpened strategist, part creative conspirator, and all badass CCO."
-- Cameron Day, Mediocrity Repellent. AI Anarchist. Author. Creative Director