I grew up in the agency business watching my mom turn ideas into larger-than-life realities as the co-founder of Stone Ward. After beginning my career in production and working as a news producer, I found my way home. I’m now a managing partner and executive creative director at Stone Ward Advertising, an agency focused on growing brands with purpose.
Creativity can’t be scheduled. Ideas rarely arrive on command. Sometimes they come quickly, and sometimes they make you wait. The challenge is trusting the process while delivering meaningful work.
Discernment is key. It’s about knowing when to fight for an idea and when to let it go. Some ideas need a champion. Others need room to become something better.
I wish people knew advertising is more than selling something. At its best, it connects people to ideas, services and stories that can make life better.
My first jobs taught me to look beyond the job description. What’s on paper is just the start. Curiosity and talent can turn a role into something more.
At 8 years old, I watched a fire truck make rain for a production. I was hooked. Creating work that makes people pause, feel and remember still feels like magic.
My grandmother always said, “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” My granddad always said, “Keep up production.” Together, they taught me to be kind and keep going.
The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch gives kids a place to call home. Its annual banquet always inspires me through ranchers’ powerful personal stories of resilience, growth and victory.
I have the best team and clients in the business. When you can do what you love with people you love, it's a joy to do it daily.
Awards and recognition are special, but the best moments are quieter: creating work that helps brands mean something, lifts up women when I can and leaves a real impression.
I remind myself there is more than one right answer. Even a bad idea can shake something loose and lead to a good one.
