Mandey Lee

I attribute my success to a combination of resilience, gratitude, hard work, and the support of the people around me.

One of the things that means the most to me is understanding where I came from and appreciating where I am today. I was raised by a single mom, and there were times when we struggled and things weren’t always easy for her. Those experiences taught me perseverance, humility, and the importance of staying true to who I am, even when faced with challenges.

I’m also incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to grow and lead. Success came faster than I ever imagined, and I don’t take that for granted. Having my own team and helping people realize what they’re truly capable of has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I believe a big part of success is lifting others up and creating opportunities for them to succeed as well.

Most importantly, I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my family. My mom was very young when she had me, so in many ways, we grew up together. We learned from each other, supported each other, and navigated life side by side. And my husband has always been my biggest believer. No matter what challenge I take on, he makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. His unwavering confidence in me gives me the courage to take risks, trust myself, and keep moving forward.

Looking back, every challenge, setback, and lesson has played a role in shaping who I am today. Those experiences, combined with the encouragement of the people who believed in me, are what I attribute my success to.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is simple: stay true to who you are.

Throughout my career, I sometimes struggled with feeling like I didn’t quite fit the mold. I grew up in a small-town environment, I talk a little differently, and I often found myself sitting across from people in large corporate settings who seemed intimidating. There were times when I questioned whether I belonged in those rooms.

Over time, I realized that my differences weren’t weaknesses—they were strengths. The moment I stopped trying to be someone else and fully embraced who I am, everything changed. I recognized that I bring a unique perspective, valuable experiences, and authentic relationships to the table. My path may not look exactly like someone else’s, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful or successful.

Being genuine builds trust, and trust is the foundation of every great relationship, both personally and professionally. When you stop comparing yourself to others and focus on the value you bring, you gain confidence and clarity.

So if I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: be unapologetically yourself. The qualities that make you different are often the very things that make you successful.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay true to who you are and always lead with integrity.

It can be easy to look around and feel like you need to change yourself to fit in, especially when you’re entering a competitive field or sitting at tables where you may feel intimidated. But some of your greatest strengths are the qualities that make you unique. Your background, experiences, perspective, and personality all bring value.

Be honest in your work, follow through on your commitments, and treat people the right way—even when no one is watching. Your reputation will become one of your greatest assets, and people will remember how you made them feel long after they forget a sales pitch or presentation.

Most importantly, have confidence in yourself. You don’t have to know everything on day one. Be willing to learn, ask questions, work hard, and trust that you belong in the room. Success comes from being authentic, building relationships, and staying committed to doing the right thing.

One of the biggest challenges in the advertising industry right now is the sheer number of options available to businesses. Years ago, our competitors were primarily other television or radio stations. Today, we’re competing with virtually every platform where a business can invest its marketing dollars—from streaming services and social media to search, digital advertising, influencers, and emerging technologies.

At the same time, I believe one of our greatest opportunities is embracing innovation, especially artificial intelligence. AI can feel intimidating because it’s changing the way we work so quickly, but I view it as a tool that can help us become more efficient, make better decisions, and serve our clients more effectively. The key is learning how to leverage it rather than fear it.

Despite how competitive the industry has become, I always remind my team that there is opportunity for everyone. Every business has different goals, challenges, and target audiences. We may not be the right solution for every client, but we can make a meaningful impact for the businesses we are best equipped to help. When we stay focused on delivering value and helping our clients grow, there is more than enough opportunity for everyone to succeed.

Ultimately, the companies and professionals who continue to adapt, learn, and embrace change will be the ones who thrive in this evolving landscape.

The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are honesty, integrity, faith, and staying true to who you are.

My faith in Jesus is the foundation for how I try to live my life and lead others. It guides the decisions I make, how I treat people, and how I approach both success and challenges. I believe we are called to serve others, lead,, and do the right thing—even when it’s difficult.

I’ve always believed that character is defined by what you do when no one is watching. It’s easy to make the right decision when it’s convenient or when someone is holding you accountable. The real test is choosing to do the right thing when there’s no recognition, no reward, and no one would ever know otherwise.

Whether in my career, with my family, or in my community, I strive to lead with honesty, kindness, and authenticity. There have been times when doing the right thing didn’t seem like the easiest path or the fastest way forward, but I’ve learned that integrity always pays off in the long run. Trust is earned through consistency, and people remember how you make them feel and how you carry yourself.

At the end of the day, I want my life and my work to reflect my values. I love Jesus, I love my family, and I believe that if you stay true to your faith, treat people well, and do the right thing even when no one is watching, everything else tends to fall into place.