Leo Burnett Chicago Welcomes Kate Jeffers as Chief Executive Officer

Leo Burnett Chicago welcomes Kate Jeffers as Chief Executive Officer, overseeing Leo Burnett Chicago’s operations. Jeffers joins Leo Burnett after two decades at Venables Bell + Partners (VB+P), where she most recently served as Partner and President, overseeing the agency’s long-term vision and day-to-day operations.  

“I’ve long admired Leo Burnett for its bold creative ambition, driven by a long-standing belief that what helps people, helps business,” said Jeffers. “Few agencies have a 90-year track record of consistently innovating to build brands at mass scale, to activate audiences, and to impact culture. I’m honored and excited to work alongside Leo Burnett’s incredible team and clients to seize our existing momentum and amplify our advantages.” 

While at VB+P, Kate helped lead the agency to significant growth via new business and the diversification of its offering, with capabilities in experience design, integrated production, retail, and issue/advocacy marketing. She was also pivotal to the agency’s early adoption of AI, leading the launch of its AI consultancy, BRAIVE, as well as multiple equity investments in AI start-ups. 

Supported by Britt Nolan, President and Chief Creative Officer and Liz Taylor, President and Chief Operating Officer, Kate will lead the agency in its next stages of growth and trajectory, reinforcing the agency’s reputation as a provider of world-class creative solutions. 

“Kate is a creative driven leader who exemplifies the values of a Burnetter,” said Britt. “She is a natural fit to accelerate how we continue to put people first, lead in the market, and build around delivering inspired work and making an impact for our clients.” 

“Kate comes to Leo Burnett with an impressive track record for building an agency culture that inspires creativity, nurtures innovation and delivers for today’s marketers,” said Susie Nam, Publicis Groupe Creative U.S. CEO. “When you combine that with Leo Burnett’s consumer acumen, range and expertise in building brands for the masses, it puts Leo Burnett on a trajectory to assert its right to lead the industry creatively.”