Her Story
About Chelsea
Hi, my name is Chelsea Russell. I’m someone who thrives in a bit of controlled chaos and has learned how to adapt quickly, no matter what life throws my way. At this stage in my life, there are a lot of moving parts, and that has shaped how I approach both work and life — with patience, perspective, and a strong focus on what truly matters. I value showing up for others, staying grounded, and finding humor in the everyday moments.
Professionally, my background spans social media marketing, paid media, and account management, with a strong focus on paid search and digital strategy. I’ve had the opportunity to work across multiple areas of digital marketing, including programmatic advertising and omnichannel strategy, which has given me a well-rounded understanding of how campaigns perform and scale.
Most recently, I worked as a Paid Search Manager at LUMA Visibility, where I led Google Ads strategy, budget forecasting, and performance optimization. Before that, I held several roles at Hawke Media, including Media Manager, Paid Search, Account Manager, and Senior Strategy Analyst. In those roles, I managed client relationships, developed campaign strategies, and drove performance across a diverse range of industries.
Earlier in my career, I worked at Yahoo, where I built a strong foundation in programmatic media buying, and at Monstrous Media Group, where I developed my skills in SEO, social media, and digital team collaboration. Overall, my experience has allowed me to combine data-driven strategy with a thoughtful, adaptable approach — both professionally and personally.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Chelsea
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my personal success to resilience and the ability to embrace uncertainty. Not everything has gone according to plan, but those moments have shaped how I approach life with patience, adaptability, and a strong sense of perspective. Success, to me, is less about perfection and more about continuing to grow while staying grounded in what matters most.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received is from one of the best mentors I have ever had. She helped me navigate being a first-time working mother. She always said never to become too comfortable in a position or company. It is important to always be learning and promoting yourself. Always know your worth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women coming into the industry is to always "trust your gut". It is important to have data to back up the challenges or solutions, but it is just as important to trust your gut. I can count on my fingers, toes, and in my head the number of times I didn't trust my gut, and it didn't work out. I would decide to go in a different direction, and find myself saying, "I should have just trusted myself." Trust yourself. You know what you are doing. Don't back down.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, one of the biggest challenges is the rapid adoption of AI. The industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with new tools, tactics, and strategies constantly emerging. As a result, there’s growing pressure from clients to deliver results more quickly, and AI has only accelerated those expectations.
At the same time, AI presents a significant opportunity. It allows us to refine and elevate the skills that truly drive value, shifting our focus from manual tasks, like reporting, to more strategic thinking and decision-making.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The biggest values in my work and personal life is work life balance. I will always find time to be with my family. A simple "Family time" on Slack with paused notifications is one way I do this. I have children, and this has given me a new perspective on life. It questions you to think about what is the most important aspect of my life.
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