Professional Services 2023: KRISTEN CAVALLO

The Martin Agency’s CEO since 2017, Cavallo was named global head of MullenLowe Group in November 2022 and now holds both jobs, overseeing 13 companies with 4,000 employees worldwide.

She previously was president and chief strategy and growth officer of MullenLowe U.S. before leading Martin. Cavallo was named Ad Age’s Executive of the Year in 2019. Adweek named Martin, which counts Geico, UPS, Old Navy and Royal Caribbean among its clients, its Agency of the Year in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This year, Martin and MullenLowe Global were both named Agency of the Year by Ad Age and The One Club, respectively. In March, Fast Company named Martin as one of the most innovative companies in advertising.

Adweek estimated that Martin brought in $28 million in new accounts in 2022, a 30% increase in revenue.

Cavallo earned an MBA from George Mason University and is a James Madison University alumna. She serves on the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation’s board and is active in ACT Responsible, a campaign affiliated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications.

FIRST JOB: Stocked shelves at KB Toys

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: Do the hard things right away.