Editor’s Note: Welcome to “Reel Women,” our annual tribute to dynamic women in creative industries. For the month of March, let us introduce you to some very special women like Davd&Goliath’s Director of Project Management, Amy Chiang.
Amy is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in branding and project management. She has worked with renowned brands such as the Automobile Club of Southern California, Lucasfilm Games, Mattel, Westfield, Kia, and Jack in the Box.
Amy’s adeptness at handling diverse projects, regardless of their scale, stems from her ability to juggle various responsibilities, both personally and professionally. Raising three children alongside her partner, John, has honed her skills in managing schedules, priorities, and unexpected challenges.
Her approach to project management reflects her practical mindset: she advocates for thorough planning, including contingency plans for worst-case scenarios, while maintaining optimism for successful outcomes. However, Amy is also flexible and adaptable, recognizing that unforeseen obstacles may arise, requiring a willingness to adjust and pivot accordingly.
Let’s meet Amy!
What’s your origin story?
I was born and raised in Huntington Beach, CA, by Taiwanese parents who had very different life aspirations for me. I think their experience as immigrants made them strive for stability for their children. As typical is it might sound, I was supposed to study medicine at UCSD, become a doctor, marry a doctor, and ultimately be a stay-at-home mom.
When my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I spent many nights/weekends at the hospital and quickly realized that it was not the place for me. That completely changed the trajectory of my life. My path couldn’t be more different than what my parents had mapped out for me. I have always been interested in the process of commercial art, advertising, and design which led me to where I am now.
How did you get into advertising?
When I graduated from UCSD, I landed my first job at a boutique agency specializing in travel and tourism that handled all of AAA Travel’s direct mail. Eventually, I moved into Account Services, then over to Project Management for a design consultancy, then in-house creative studio for Westfield. I finally landed at David&Goliath and the years are ticking away like days. I just passed my seven-year anniversary.
Who were your mentors?
Ezra Strausberg, Michaela Brockstedt, CJ Stockton, David Angelo, and my Mom.
While there will be others, what do you consider your greatest achievements? While working at Westfield, I helped reopen the Tom Bradley International Airport Terminal. There were so many late nights, but totally worth it when attending the Grand Opening. Also, being a proud mom of three.
What drives you to create? My heart and brain crave non-linear thinking and tinkering. It brings me joy when I see the finished product that I created.
What is a product or service you dream of doing a campaign for?
I would love to do marketing for a second-hand clothing shop like Goodwill or ThredUp.
Award you crave but haven’t won. If only my kids would give me a Mom of the Year Award. Ha. I used to get excited about awards and everything surrounding it. But I feel like doing great work should come first and awards are a result of that.
Female-directed franchise films such as STAR WARS or MCU constantly get called “woke” by internet trolls, why?
I think a lot has to do with the discomfort of people who have been used to traditional male/female roles of the past. So, instead of embracing a future with female leaders, they poke fun at it.
Coffee, Lunch or Happy Hour
Coffee with Mother Jones
Lunch with Lucille Ball
Happy Hour with Pina Bausch
It’s an election year, what keeps you up at night?
I have three kids. I hope that there’s still a planet they can comfortably call home in their latter adult years.
Favorite movie or TV Show of 2023?
Barbie.
Band or singer you would ditch your career and go perform with?
Brandi Carlile.
What’s your theme song for 2024?
We’re Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister.
To see who else is a Reel Woman, click here.
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