Sarah Icely, Senior Vice President, Growth and Organizational Strategy
I didn’t come up through a traditional growth path and that’s part of what makes my approach different. I’m not afraid to try something new, question the default, or build the thing we wish we had. I care about what works, what matters, and how we get there together.
I’ve helped shape how we think about growth at BrandActive, not just in terms of marketing and business development, but in how we connect across functions, scale what works, and build trust at every touchpoint. I’ve learned to ground any initiative in purpose, define success up front, and solve for the people who matter most. It’s a mindset I’ve carried through HR, IT, strategy, and now growth, and it helps me contribute meaningfully, even in unfamiliar territory.
My instinct in complex situations is to take a breath, take a step, and start asking questions. I lean on past experience, seek out new inputs, and connect with others who’ve been there. It’s important to me that clients and colleagues to feel like I’m in it with them – calm, curious, and fully committed.
Curiosity is a throughline for me. I walk outside every day, read constantly, and make a point of learning from people, places, and ideas that stretch my perspective. Over 50 countries later, I still believe there’s always something new worth discovering.
