Radical Empathy

Michael grew up as the middle child in a Brady Bunch family with mix of step, half and full siblings. He was the “artsy” one and he had an impossibly hard time paying attention in school, and is thankful to have found a career that sees both qualities as tools for success rather than recipes for failure. After working in creative boutiques and the biggest agency in the world, Michael went client-side and was a global ECD at Amazon where he led a brand redesign, the launch of Prime Day, and four Super Bowl campaigns including 2018’s #1 ranked “Alexa Loses Her Voice.”

Chris grew up between two parents and two very different states, constantly adapting—learning to read the room and finding common ground. That instinct for navigating different worlds shaped his leadership at top agencies like Fallon, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Publicis, and TBWA/Chiat/Day, and ultimately led him to co-found DNA&STONE. Beyond the work, he’s driven to leave things better than he found them. He’s a charter board member of 600 & Rising, board president of the BLAC Internship Program, and a governor-appointed Trustee for his alma mater, Western Washington University. Named to Campaign US 40 Over 40 and the inaugural ThinkNW All-Stars, Chris is most proud of the moments when he’s helped open doors for others.

Alan is a middle-child, working-class Ohio native who lives his Midwest values of hard work, loyalty and self-deprecation. His dad, a used car salesman and mom, a French Canadian librarian instilled his independent streak. Alan’s “career” started  at age 13 washing dishes at a local restaurant, followed by lifeguarding, bill collecting, used-car selling, blood-drawing and bartending where he learned the fine art of building trust. After leaving home at 17 for Ohio State, Alan landed a post-graduation position at P&G, followed by Pepsi, before going agency-side. Alan learned how to give up “control” and give into the power of the universe when he adopted his two children, now ages 19 and 21. Alan has been recognized nationally for his accomplishments in the advertising industry, as well as his leadership with the LGBTQ+ community.

Matt was raised by two parents who are better people than he will ever be. A public school teacher, a federal scientist, both hardcore social activists, compulsive world-helpers and adoptive parents to two of Matt’s siblings. Meanwhile, Matt dreamt of being in advertising. So, yeah. Thankfully, Matt stole a few shreds of the deep empathy gene and has duct taped them to his talent for award-winning creative problem-solving. Redeemed.