Stephanie Paterik is editor in chief and SVP of Adweek, the industry’s most trusted source for news and insights about advertising, marketing, and media innovation. She is an award-winning journalist who rose from freelance copy editor to a member of the office of the CEO in only 6 years.

In this episode, Stephanie shares a Why Not Now? story with Amy Jo that shaped the journey of her life and career. She had been working as a journalist in Phoenix for several years when she made the decision to quit her job, move to New York City, become a poet, and start an editorial consulting business on the side. This part of Stephanie’s journey felt like a detour, but it ultimately led to the role of editor in chief of Adweek.

Stephanie believes that success can be found in the intersection of business and creativity. She discovered that after receiving her MFA in poetry, her business began to thrive. She shares how she was able to apply the creative tools and skills she developed through her art to her work life.

She talks about the importance of leading with empathy and creating an environment where her team feels comfortable enough to pull their best ideas to the surface. Being an empathetic leader also helped both her and her team process the passing of a long-time co-worker.