Shari Munoz

I attribute my success to a combination of curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on bringing together different disciplines—particularly science, research, and marketing to approach challenges in new ways and develop solutions that didn’t previously exist. That cross-functional mindset has allowed me to think more creatively about measurement, strategy, and innovation.

Resilience has also played an important role. The industry has gone through periods of significant change, especially during COVID, and those moments reinforced the importance of adaptability and perseverance. Being able to navigate uncertainty, continue learning, and find new ways to create value has been a key driver of my growth and success.

Finally, I’ve always been motivated by the opportunity to build something new—whether it’s a framework, a product, or a way of thinking about a problem. That focus on innovation and impact has consistently guided my career.

The best career advice I’ve received is to never limit your thinking to the boundaries of your industry. Some of the most valuable insights and ideas come from understanding how other disciplines approach problems whether that’s academia, science, policy, or even the arts. That perspective has shaped how I approach my work in advertising research and measurement, allowing me to connect ideas from different fields and develop more innovative solutions.

I’ve also been reminded throughout my career to stay curious and keep learning. The industry evolves quickly, and the people who continue to grow, ask questions, and challenge conventional thinking are the ones who ultimately drive meaningful change.

Finally, another piece of advice that has stayed with me is to remain humble and bring others along as you grow. Success is rarely achieved alone, and supporting and mentoring others is just as important as advancing your own career.

Young women entering this industry should focus on developing a broad perspective beyond their immediate field. In advertising research, for example, I’ve found it valuable to engage not only with industry peers but also with professionals in academia, policy, and legal fields. Each brings a different lens, priorities, and ways of thinking, and understanding those perspectives helps you become a stronger and more strategic professional.

Networking and relationship-building are also critical. Building meaningful connections across disciplines can open doors to new ideas, collaborations, and opportunities.

At the same time, it’s important to remain humble as you grow in your career. Recognize that progress takes time and that many people helped along the way. As you advance, make it a priority to support and mentor others who are just starting out.

Finally, seek out learning opportunities beyond your industry, whether through classes, seminars, or events in adjacent fields like academia, law, or policy. Exposure to different perspectives not only broadens your knowledge but also strengthens your ability to think critically and approach challenges from multiple angles.

One of the biggest challenges in the advertising industry right now is the pace of change and the pressure it places on teams and talent. The industry has evolved significantly over the past several years, and during COVID in particular, many professionals—especially women—faced extraordinary demands both professionally and personally. The pandemic forced organizations to operate with smaller teams while maintaining the same level of output, and in many cases even more. At one point, I went from leading a team of 15 to a team of two while managing the same workload. Like many others, I was also balancing work with supporting three children learning remotely at home. That experience reinforced the importance of resilience and adaptability. It highlighted how critical it is for companies to support their teams while navigating rapid change.

At the same time, the industry is full of opportunity. Advertising has historically been driven by innovation, strategic thinking, and deep insight. In recent years, some parts of the industry began to prioritize speed over depth, but the growth of ad tech is bringing renewed focus on innovation, data, and building new solutions. That shift is one of the reasons I returned to the ad tech space—because it offers the opportunity to help shape what’s next and continue pushing the industry forward.

Resilience is one of the most important values in both my professional and personal life. The experience of navigating COVID reinforced that for me. Like many working parents, I was balancing a demanding workload while supporting three children learning remotely at home, and at the same time my team went from 15 people to just two while we continued delivering the same level of work. That period really underscored the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and staying focused through uncertainty.

I’m also deeply driven by curiosity, learning, and innovation. I enjoy building new ideas, connecting different perspectives, and bringing concepts to life that haven’t been done before. Much of my motivation comes from the opportunity to merge different ways of thinking to create something meaningful and forward-looking.

Another value that’s important to me is presence and confidence. It’s essential to walk into a room knowing you belong there and to contribute your perspective without hesitation.

Education and continuous learning have also played a major role in shaping my outlook. After completing my MBA, I continued taking courses at NYU which helped strengthen my ability to communicate ideas more authentically and confidently. Stepping outside of your industry and learning how others think- whether in academia, the arts, or other sectors, provides valuable perspective and helps you approach challenges with a broader lens.