Archana Mahadevan is a VP, Creative Brand Strategy Director at DDB, Chicago. In a career spanning 15 years in India and the US, she's helped clients like Google, State Farm, Mc Donalds, Capital One, Skittles and her most recent US Army create unique marketing strategies to communicate to an audience in a way that resonates and ultimately increases brand favorability. She's a passionate advocate for DE&I initiatives and has volunteered and mentored strategists and young talent across industries. She's won many industry awards for excellence including Effies and Jay Chiat planning and has been an jury across multiple categories. Outside of work, she loves connecting deeply with people, books and recently has a new found love for podcasts.