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, Conagra, La Quinta and US Army to create unique marketing strategies. 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 ad jury across multiple categories. In her free time, she loves having deep conversations with people, book and nature. A natural storyteller - she strives to bring authenticity, and curiosity to every discussion she's part of.