Andi C.

Growth Strategist, Writer & Global Explorer

Over the past 15 years, I've dedicated my career to nurturing and expanding innovative businesses poised to shape the future. In my role as a Growth Strategist, I specialize in empowering startups to scale effectively and assisting established enterprises in agile pivots to meet evolving market demands.

My expertise lies in strategizing with founders and teams during critical junctures, facilitating informed decisions that propel their businesses forward. Through creative storytelling, brand building and marketing, I help enable mission-driven organizations and their teams to share their impact with the world.

To read more about my work, check out this article HERE.

To listen to my professional background, check out this podcast HERE.

I’m on a 2-year diving expedition helping people on the frontlines of ocean conservation share their untold stories. My team and I are traveling to 50 of the most remote dive destinations in the world.

Currently, I'm working in an advisory capacity, supporting founders and leadership teams with their growth strategy, branding and marketing initiatives.

Hire Andi

Enterprise Professional Services Growth Strategy Digital Agency Creative Agency Founder Growth Strategist Director of Business Development

Work

Edges of the earth expedition - Oceanographic

oceanographicmagazine.com

The Edges of the Earth expedition is on a mission to share untold ocean stories from around the globe. Over the next 24 months, the team will travel to 50 of the most remote dive destinations in the world and Oceanographic will share their stories along the way. I am a regular contributor at the magazine helping to share fringe stories of impact from around the world. This highlights local partners that I collaborate with on each leg of the expedition.

Storytelling Partnerships Digital Strategy Writing

Edges of Earth Expedition Amplifies Ocean Action, Launches Inaugural Partnership with Scuba Schools International (SSI) & Mares

apnews.com

SSI's first-ever brand ambassador partnership in its 50-year history brings visibility and action to ocean impact efforts through the Edges of Earth Expedition. Over 6 months, I sourced, pitched, negotiated and won a major, multi-year partnership that has never been done before.

Branding Go-to-Market Strategy Strategic Partnerships

Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why & How Andi Cross Of WILDPALM and Edges of Earth Is Helping To Change Our World

medium.com

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Authority Magazine on my work in growth strategy, sustainability marketing, brand building and creating robust digital footprints that help to share stories of impact.

Growth Strategy Sustainability Marketing Branding Digital Strategy

35 of Madison Avenue's Rising Advertising Stars Under 35

businessinsider.com

Was awarded Rising Stars of Madison Avenue for my work in growth strategy while at the renowned digital and design agency, Huge.

Growth Strategy Branding Venture Capital Business Development

How To Make Plastic Disappear

forbes.com

Helped to build and launch the next iteration of the LOLIWARE brand, a company that has figured out how to obsolete single-use plastic using seaweed.

Branding Growth Strategy Go-to-Market Strategy Digital Strategy Startup Consultant

Jewelry Brand Service First Launches Three Collections – WWD

wwd.com

Helped to build and launch an accessories brand rooted in military service introduces its Charm, Cameo and Snake collections. Through a partnership with HL Ventures, we build a brand based on strong values and the importance of contribution.

Branding Go-to-Market Strategy Viral Launch Digital Strategy Startup Consultant

Taylor Swift Fans Target Clothing Company (Again) | TIME.com

style.time.com

Creating vitality with the first company I started called Bad Kids Collective. There was a media frenzy, which 4x our sales. The media cycle included reporting in Huff Post, Today Show, WSJ, among others and even hit global news.

Growth Strategy Press Release Go-to-Market Strategy

Experience

Apr 2023 — Present

Forbes Business Council

Official Member

Behind each of the world’s most successful business owners and executives is a strong community of support. Forbes Business Council is a vetted professional networking community for senior executives and business owners who are committed to personal and professional excellence. Forbes Business Council is known for its diversity of perspectives and the members' willingness to give as much as they gain. The generosity and depth of insight in the community makes it an indispensible resource for every business leader. Forbes Business Council is part of the Forbes Councils network—a collective of vetted professional networking communities for senior executives and business owners in a variety of industries. Forbes Councils was created in partnership with Forbes.com by the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). Our mission is to connect exceptional business owners and senior executives with people and resources to help them thrive.

Aug 2018 — Present

WILDPALM

Founder & Growth Strategist

Deliver creative growth strategies for startups and scale-ups committed to making our world a better place. Our team of strategists, designers and marketers working with founders who have ambition to do better for the planet and our future. Coach and mentor rising talent in entrepreneurship, brand building, marketing and digital.

Scaled over 50 startups since inception
Brand Strategist in Residence at a leading Venture Capital Firm in NYC
Remote team with global footprint, with clients currently in USA, EUR, UK, AUS

Jun 2018 — Present

Hatzimemos / Libby

Brand Strategist in Residence

H/L Ventures and its family of funds, H/L Studio and CityRock Ventures, are a holistic company-building ecosystem that supports mission-driven founders on their path to creating and growing valuable companies. Since its founding in 2009, H/L Ventures has forged a new way to build companies at the nexus of growth, impact, and diversity. Practicing our core philosophy of daily active engagement, we support our portfolio company founding teams throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

First venture partner in company's history
Support portfolio companies in brand building & growth strategy
Successfully launched 10 brands within the portfolio

May 2018 — Mar 2019

Huge

Vice President, Strategic Growth

Huge is a creative consultancy powered by human and AI collaboration. We partner with the world’s most ambitious brands to Make Huge Moves, which are creative solutions that deliver powerful outcomes. Huge helps clients unlock meaningful growth in areas ranging from AI business consulting, brand and customer experience, technology advisory, and strategy, to high-value audience analysis and product innovation. Founded in 1999 in Brooklyn, NY, Huge has more than 1,200 employees working across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The consultancy is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies.

Oversaw the global business development and strategic operations team—hiring, on-boarding and managing a large-scale team
Productized the business development offering, solved complex operational challenges & won $1M-$15M+ global business for the agency
Awarded “Rising Star of Madison Avenue” by Business Insider for work in growth strategy

Feb 2012 — Nov 2014

Axcess Worldwide

Vice President of Strategy & Design

AXW is a strategy-led brand experience agency that connects ideas, people and brands in unprecedented ways. Full service. Independent. Global. 18-year track record of proven success. We deliver impactful, results-driven ideas and experiences by creating lasting connections between brands and people. Like the world around us, we have evolved—from a partnership development firm to the brand experience agency we are today.

Oversaw strategy, venture and business development projects
Created and operationalized the strategy discipline helping to solving client’s business challenges
Pitched, negotiated and oversaw a client portfolio including some of the world's leading brands (e.g., Coca Cola, IHG, Rolls Royce)

Dec 2010 — Feb 2012

Ogilvy & Mather

Associate Business Development Manager

Ogilvy inspires brands and people to impact the world. We have been creating iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas for clients since David Ogilvy founded the company in 1948. We continue building on that rich legacy through our borderless creativity—operating, innovating, and creating at the intersection of talent and capabilities. Our experts in Advertising, Experience, Media, Public Relations, Social, Influence, Health and Consulting work fluidly across 131 offices in 93 countries to bring forth world-class creative solutions for our clients.

Reported to NYC CMO, mentored by Global CEO
Accepted into the acclaimed accelerator program at Ogilvy & Mather to develop your skills as a leader
Rotated through divisions of the company learning how agencies grow, scale and operationalize