KANSAS CITY, USA //  Debbi Vandeven is the global chief creative officer at VML, a leading global marketing agency. Throughout her career at VML, Debbi has continually fostered a collaborative creative environment that delivers smart and innovative solutions to clients around the world.

Debbi’s creative philosophy is to focus on the idea, not just a specific channel, and she encourages teams to approach any project from this perspective. It’s this approach that’s at the heart of VML’s mission to move brands forward by inspiring a human connection.

Since joining VML in 2000, she has led creative engagements for global brands such as Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Gatorade, Kellogg, MasterCard, QuikTrip, Sprint, Tropicana and Wendy’s.

Her creative leadership has enabled VML to become one of the top global agencies, with 26 offices on six continents and 2,400 employees worldwide.

Debbi has served on international award show juries, including ANDY Awards, Art Directors Club, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Loeries, New York Festivals, One Show Interactive and IAB MIXX Awards.

VML’s creative teams have earned recognition from top international shows, including ANDY Awards, Art Directors Club, Cannes Lions, CLIO Awards, Effie Awards, Facebook Awards, London International Awards, New York Festivals, One Show, Spikes Asia, Tomorrow Awards and Webby Awards.

Her achievements include being recognized in Advertising Age’s Women to Watch 2014. VML is listed in the top 20 of all U.S. agencies from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2014 rankings.

Debbi is a strong supporter of initiatives advancing women in creative leadership and mentoring talent to help women develop the interpersonal skills it takes to succeed in today’s industry.