Master brand builder Bret Sanford-Chung shares her career defined by constantly finding and stepping out of her groove, highlighting the critical role of intellectual curiosity and defining her WHY. Spanning various industries and roles, from art school to KPMG, Bret showcases her adaptability and love for the learning curve. She emphasizes the value of embracing challenges, asking questions, and the ethos of being comfortable with uncertainty.

Highlights:

* 05:10 The Power of Intellectual Curiosity

* 07:28 Storytelling As A Superpower

* 21:53 The Importance Of Knowing Your Why

* 27:10 Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

* 31:55 Reflection: Embrace Your Inner Weirdo

* 41:06: Our Hope for Smart Rookies Everywhere

About Our Guests:

Bret Sanford-Chung is a distinguished brand builder with a versatile marketing background, having served as an Agency Creative Director, Chief Marketing Officer, Global Agency Leader, and Educator. She is currently the Managing Director at KPMG's Marketing Consulting practice, spearheading significant corporate transformations. With previous roles at Forrester Research and as a Founding Partner at CreativePutty, Inc., Bret has a rich history of aiding top-tier clients in various sectors.

Her influential "Values" campaign for HSBC is permanently showcased at MoMA, and her work in rebranding Smith Barney underscores her prowess in modernizing financial services. Bret is not only a prominent speaker worldwide but also an academic, teaching at Columbia University and the School of Visual Arts, while contributing to esteemed business and academic boards. Holding advanced degrees in English Literature and Media Arts, she's also a yoga enthusiast, marathon runner, and a devoted family person.

Reference:

* Learn how we use the Acorn to Oak Tree exercise in our human-centered design research on our tools page.

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Credits:

* Chelsea Carlson, Podcast Art Designer

* Ashley Bradford, Theme Music Artist

* Sam Nash, Audio Engineer

* Gabriela Acosta, Executive Producer

* Smart Rookie is brought to you by brand and strategy collaborative, The Nucleus Group.

Please note that our show transcript is AI generated and may not be 100% accurate.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smartrookie.substack.com

Run Towards What Fuels Your Soul with Bret Sanford-Chung.