Her Story
About Andrea
Andrea Gentile is a Paid Media Manager at Crate & Barrel, where she focuses on building and optimizing full-funnel paid social strategies for the Crate & Kids division. She specializes in turning data-driven insights into measurable e-commerce performance, with a strong emphasis on ROAS improvement, creative testing, and cross-platform media execution. In her current role, she supports in-house marketing transformation by managing campaign performance, refining audience targeting, and aligning paid media efforts with broader brand and revenue goals.
Her career spans both agency and enterprise marketing environments, where she has developed expertise across paid social, e-commerce, and consumer packaged goods. Previously, she worked at Hunter, Kinesso, Edelman, and Mediaocean, managing campaigns for major brands including Dyson, Corona, Tabasco, Eggland’s Best, and others. Across these roles, she led paid social strategy, improved campaign efficiency through structured reporting systems, and implemented scalable optimization frameworks that enhanced performance across multiple digital platforms.
Andrea earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from DePaul University, graduating cum laude. During and after her studies, she built a foundation in digital marketing through hands-on agency experience and continuous learning in a rapidly evolving industry. She is also committed to mentorship and community engagement, having volunteered with Tutoring Chicago and participated in initiatives with the Children's Cancer Research Fund. Her professional approach is grounded in adaptability, transparency, and a strong belief in the evolving role of paid media as a core driver of business growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Andrea
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong values and work ethic instilled in me by my parents. From an early age, I learned accountability, perseverance, and pride in my work, which continue to guide my professional decisions. Combined with self-advocacy and a commitment to continuous growth, I believe success is built through consistency, preparation, and the willingness to create opportunities rather than wait for them.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is the importance of advocating for myself and recognizing the value I bring to every opportunity. Rather than waiting to be recognized, I believe in actively communicating my accomplishments, seeking new challenges, and continuously investing in my own development. I’ve also learned that self-advocacy, when paired with genuine expertise and humility, is a powerful driver of long-term growth, along with building meaningful professional relationships that go beyond transactional networking.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering marketing and digital strategy to trust their knowledge, stay curious, and never underestimate the value of building authentic professional relationships. Confidence grows through preparation and experience, so it is important to speak up, share ideas, ask questions, and actively seek opportunities to lead. I also believe in the importance of finding mentors, building strong networks, and supporting other women along the way. My advice is grounded in a simple belief: your perspective has value, and your voice deserves to be heard.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest transformations in the marketing industry right now is the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. As AI continues to reshape campaign development, analytics, and customer engagement, I believe marketers must remain agile and committed to continuous learning. At the same time, these advancements create significant opportunities for innovation, personalization, and more effective decision-making. I also see a growing need to maintain authentic customer relationships as automation expands, reinforcing the enduring importance of human creativity, strategic thinking, and genuine connection.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Transparency, trust, and mutual investment are the core values that guide my approach to both work and personal life. I believe the strongest professional relationships are built when organizations invest in their people and individuals, in turn, invest in the success of their organization. Open communication, honesty, and accountability are essential to creating environments where innovation and collaboration can thrive. These values shape not only my leadership approach but also the relationships I build with colleagues, mentors, and those I have the privilege to mentor.
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