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 David&Goliath Executive Assistant, Karina Sutton.
Fresh out of college, Karina embarked on a journey that led her to the vibrant world of education, where she discovered her passion for teaching and nurturing young minds in a kindergarten classroom.
Over the years, Karina found immense fulfillment in shaping the educational experiences of her students, fostering creativity, and instilling a love for learning. However, she felt a stirring desire to explore new avenues and challenge herself in different ways.
Transitioning into the corporate realm, Karina found her stride as an Executive Assistant, providing invaluable support to C-suite executives across various industries, including technology, music, and now advertising.
With each career move,she honed essential skills such as organization, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in fast-paced environments. Her journey from a kindergarten teacher to an Executive Assistant has been transformative, equipping her with versatility and resilience to navigate any challenge that comes her way.
Beyond the professional sphere, Karina finds joy in immersing herself in live music events, exploring new destinations through travel, and indulging in the diverse culinary offerings of Los Angeles.
Let’s meet Karina!
What’s your origin story?
Born into a military family, I embraced a nomadic lifestyle from a young age, living almost half of my life overseas in different corners of the world. Despite the constant change, Washington D.C., always held a special place in my heart and I proudly call it home. Nine years ago, I made the bold decision to leave the nation’s capital and start a new chapter in my life in Los Angeles to pursue new opportunities.
How did you get into advertising?
I never sought out a place in advertising but my intro to the ad world was through my relentlessly encouraging best friend. He’d been at creative agencies long before we met, and pushed me to explore more opportunities in the creative space. Thanks to LinkedIn and a simple tag in recruiters’ job posts, I was interviewing with agencies I would’ve otherwise been too intimidated to reach out to.
Who were your mentors?
There are two women in my life that I’ve always looked up to as the type of woman I hoped to emulate. My mother, a warrior, a breast cancer survivor, and an athlete, who served over 28 years in the US Army; she taught me “nothing beats a failure but a try.” And my tati, the amazing woman my uncle married, who taught me how to navigate life as a velvet hammer.
While there will be others, what do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
My biggest achievement has been the opportunity to find a family, a tribe if you will, within the creative community. I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with creatives across industries to learn and understand that while the people and places differ, the hunger to create and produce does not
What is a product or service you dream of doing a campaign for?
I would love to see our agency tap into more women-owned or women-led brands. We had an awesome campaign with Stacy’s that was pretty empowering to see both as a live campaign and in the agency reel we share with potential clients.
Award you crave, but haven’t won
Nobel Peace Prize, but I won’t hold my breath
Coffee, Lunch or Happy Hour
Coffee (or Tea) – Nina Simone
Lunch – Issa Rae
Happy Hour – Erykah Badu
It’s an election year, what is keeping you up at night?
I have a list. How much time do you have?
Favorite movie and TV show of 2023
Cord Jefferson’s movie American Fiction and the final season of Succession.
Band or singer you would ditch your career and go perform with
Tour life seems exhausting but I would’ve dropped everything for the opportunity to tour with Prince.
What’s your theme song for 2024?
I think my theme song is actually an hour-long Soulection episode. Essentially, a curated set of beat-oriented electronic tunes, vocal samples, and deep cuts anywhere from ’90s R&B, to Jazz, to the latest Amapiano tracks. So I’d say Soulection episode #623 is my theme song this year, so far.
To see who else is a Reel Woman, click here.
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