An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
Access to Professional Development — Having access to training and professional development is crucial for career growth. Investing in your own growth or utilizing organization-provided stipends demonstrates commitment and a desire to enhance skills. Staying updated with industry trends can provide an edge and help women stand out among peers.
Despite strides towards equality, women remain underrepresented in leadership and management roles across various sectors. In this series, we would like to discuss the barriers to female advancement in these areas and explore actionable strategies for change. We are talking with accomplished women leaders, executives, and pioneers who have navigated these challenges successfully, to hear their experiences, tactics, and advice to inspire and guide the next generation of women toward achieving their full potential in leadership and management roles. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kelly Heilpern.
As Ammunition’s Chief Strategy Officer, Kelly Heilpern spearheads digital transformation and media planning while crafting innovative strategies for clients. Her leadership significantly contributed to the agency’s recognition as one of the fastest-growing agencies in the Southeast by Inc. Magazine and in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. With extensive experience in both agency and brand-side marketing, Kelly’s expertise guides the agency’s overall direction, fuels its growth, and contributes to the success of both clients and internal teams.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I started my career on the brand side, managing agencies. Soon, I realized I preferred the agile, fast-paced, and dynamic environment of the agency side, which led me to make the switch early on in my career. Initially focusing on project management and account services, I later shifted to strategic aspects, as I am passionate about demonstrating impact and crafting smart marketing strategies.
My expertise lies in understanding complex purchase paths, digital touchpoints, scoring, and personalization, essential for developing effective strategies. This dedication to digital strategy combines creativity with insightful data-driven decisions to propel success.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
My story is unique. I started on the brand side and then moved to the agency side, where I met Jeremy Heilpern. We clicked at one of Atlanta’s oldest agencies during their digital transformation. Jeremy, with his entrepreneurial drive, founded Ammunition in November 2017, and I joined as the first employee, leading the strategy function.
As I showcased my digital expertise, my passion for the field grew. We landed accounts like Mitsubishi Electric, Dacor, Panasonic, and RWC, and our team expanded rapidly. Despite the challenges faced by other agencies during the pandemic, our specialization in home and building services during the remodeling spike proved beneficial to our business.
This year, we are excited to have been named one of Inc. Magazine’s fastest-growing private companies in the Southeast. Being an integral part of the agency since day one, supporting its growth, and seeing it thrive has been the most intriguing part of my career.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly influenced your path to leadership?
A moment that significantly influenced my path to leadership was when I transitioned into a strategy-focused role. Early on, I struggled to use metrics effectively to demonstrate my impact on clients and the company. However, in my new position, which was highly metrics and performance-driven, the numbers spoke for themselves.
The lesson I learned from this experience is the importance of aligning measurable, time-based goals to showcase success and advocate for oneself objectively in conversations about compensation and title changes, regardless of one’s role.
By managing multiple practices and wearing different hats within the organization, I proved my ability to handle diverse responsibilities and laid a strong foundation for stepping into a leadership role by demonstrating effective people management skills.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
One person I am incredibly grateful for is a client I have worked with for almost a decade now. When I first took on her account, she was notorious for being extremely difficult to please. Leading her account, which was also my largest client at the time, was a significant challenge. However, I saw it as an opportunity to demonstrate my ability to enhance internal processes, foster a strong client relationship, and leverage my knowledge to improve client satisfaction.
Over time, the account flourished under my guidance, and I grew professionally alongside it. I was challenged to deeply understand their business challenges and provide effective solutions through my leadership and the support of our internal team. Even though I’ve transitioned to different roles since then, she has remained a client and has also become a close friend — so much so that we invited her to our wedding! Her constant push for innovation and exceeding expectations has been instrumental in shaping my career trajectory, and I am truly grateful for her ongoing support and partnership.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
“Bringing Up Bébé” profoundly impacted both my personal and professional life. This book contrasts child-rearing practices in France and the US, focusing on aspects from pregnancy to childcare and emphasizing a child’s resilience and early independence.
As a mother of two daughters, this book deeply resonated with me. It underscored the importance of being a role model as a woman, a mother, and a professional. I learned the value of honesty and transparency, especially during stressful work moments or when needing personal space. Celebrating professional growth also became crucial in setting a positive example for my children.
This approach helped me manage multiple responsibilities within the organization and laid a solid foundation for transitioning into a leadership role by showcasing effective people management skills.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
“Life isn’t fair.” Working in an agency can mean handling unexpected client requests that might mess with your personal plans, like family time or making it to the gym that day. It’s just part of the job. Not every day will be smooth, and that’s okay. Sometimes, you won’t get the appreciation you want from clients or colleagues, or you might miss out on a raise due to economic slowdowns. But remember, these situations don’t define your value; they’re reminders that life can be unpredictable, and being adaptable is crucial.
This saying has always stuck with me, thanks to my parents, teachers, and coaches. It holds true in many situations, reminding me to be resilient, considerate of others’ needs (especially those closest to me), and fair to myself by not getting stuck on minor setbacks. This mindset has empowered me to strive for personal pride and positivity, no matter how fair or unfair some circumstances may be.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
In my leadership role at Ammunition, I actively engage in collegiate leadership, mentorship, and internship programs with partners such as the MADE Mentorship Program, The ANA Educational Foundation, Clemson University, and the University of Georgia.
My primary goal is to share my experiences with young professionals as they begin their careers or navigate the early stages. By doing so, I can offer valuable insights that help them ask the right questions and approach their professional growth with a seasoned perspective. This enables them to learn important lessons, acquire new skills, and develop effective strategies while avoiding unnecessary challenges.
Whether it’s offering guidance on interview techniques to make a solid first impression, encouraging a deeper evaluation of agencies beyond factors like client roster and social media presence, or assisting individuals in finding the right department based on their unique skills and interests, I emphasize the significance of finding a cultural fit. This is especially crucial early in a career, as it sets the tone for the entire career path. I take pride in being a stepping-stone in this process, matching talent with environments that recognize contributions based on merit, not gender or tenure, and creating a sense of fulfillment in their work.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this report, only about 31.7% of top executive positions across industries are held by women. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from leadership and management?
One factor holding back women is a sense of intimidation in professional environments, especially when interacting with other leaders. However, I’ve found that once women overcome this initial hesitation and start sharing their voices and opinions, they often discover their input is valued, appreciated, and acted upon. This recognition leads to more opportunities to participate in more meaningful conversations and meetings and gain influence within their organizations.
Another aspect is the willingness to ask questions about processes, understand why things are done a certain way, and gain insights into the perspectives of senior leaders. By gaining a deeper understanding of the thought processes of inspiring leaders, women can emulate the qualities that make them influential leaders and develop these traits in their own unique way, ultimately becoming stronger leaders themselves over time.
This might be intuitive to you but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should become leaders and managers?
Women are still catching up in many male-dominated industries, and it’s crucial to have more women in leadership because we are equally capable as men. While some argue that women are more empathetic, it’s unfair to make those generalizations. Women have encountered deliberate barriers in their careers, and it’s now our responsibility to highlight our equality based on merit, not gender. At Ammunition, we prioritize promoting the most qualified person for the job, regardless of gender, focusing on skills and qualifications rather than a PR story.
Can you please share “5 Things We Need To Increase Women’s Engagement in Leadership and Management?”
1. Mentorship — Great mentors are essential for leadership growth and development. Many of my strengths as a leader have stemmed from emulating qualities I admire in the leaders around me.
2. Supportive Policies — The lack of fair workplace policies means women are always playing catch-up to their male counterparts. Policies supporting new mothers, like giving them enough time to recover and bond, not only help them return as their best selves but also earn respect from employers. This mutual benefit is often overlooked in workplace policy discussions.
3. Equal Opportunity — Examining the leadership structure provides insights into equal opportunity practices. If you’re considering a role in a company lacking diversity or inclusion in leadership, I’d recommend starting a conversation with the team on the reasons behind this. Keep in mind they might have a good reason or goals for improvement, so avoid making assumptions. If there’s no clear effort to address leadership disparities, it may not be the best fit for long-term career growth.
4. Access to Professional Development — Having access to training and professional development is crucial for career growth. Investing in your own growth or utilizing organization-provided stipends demonstrates commitment and a desire to enhance skills. Staying updated with industry trends can provide an edge and help women stand out among peers.
5. Culture — A supportive culture can greatly boost women’s leadership and engagement in an organization. Feeling comfortable and supported encourages self-assurance, sharing ideas, and taking on speaking roles. Conversely, a dismissive culture can stifle confidence and participation. Leaning into a supportive culture opens doors for women to be their best selves every day.
In your opinion, what systemic changes are needed to facilitate more equitable access for women to leadership roles?
I’m fortunate to be part of an organization with a senior leadership team primarily composed of women, which means diverse perspectives like those of wives, mothers, and women, in general, are considered in all policies and procedures. However, on a broader scale, several systemic changes are needed to improve access for women to leadership roles, including offering flexible work arrangements, investing in leadership programs for women, promoting based on merit, and fostering a supportive culture of equality and inclusivity, which can create a more level playing field and empower women to succeed in leadership positions.
What strategies have you found most effective in mentoring and supporting other women to pursue leadership positions?
I take a personalized approach, extending beyond job descriptions, to support my team’s career growth by tailoring guidance to their specific needs. I aim to create a supportive environment by fostering trust through open discussions about challenges, aspirations, and growth, enabling each individual to advocate for themselves. This foundation makes it easier to discuss career paths and provide honest feedback. Encouraging self-motivation by recognizing achievements and addressing challenges has proven highly effective for my team.
How would you advise a woman leader about how to navigate the challenges of being a woman in a leadership role within a male-dominated industry?
I wouldn’t focus too much on gender as a whole. Believing that merit and capability lead to promotions and opportunities is key. If you sense unfairness, talk to someone who can drive change, like the head of HR or the C-suite. If the organization clearly favors one gender without intending to change, it may not be the right fit long-term. When planning your career, consider the company’s values, senior leadership team, and policies to ensure they support your growth, no matter your gender.
How do you balance the demand for authoritative leadership with the stereotypical expectations of female behavior in professional settings?
I’ve learned to balance the demand for authoritative leadership with stereotypical expectations of female behavior in professional settings thanks to the guidance of our Ammunition leadership team. We rely on our agency’s core values to strike this balance, which starts with our interview process and extends to personal goal setting and performance reviews.
Our values, such as “staying driven” and “taking ownership,” emphasize our firm approach to prioritizing our commitments to partners and clients. On the other hand, values like “acting with kindness” and “fostering resilience” highlight our focus on supporting individuals, teams, and the agency in how we interact with one another and those around us. Our final value, “making an impact,” sits at the intersection of these approaches.
As leaders, we have the power to drive change and make an impact, all while embodying kindness, resilience, and authenticity. By wholeheartedly embracing these values, we not only meet the demand for authoritative leadership but also challenge and overcome stereotypical expectations, fostering a positive work environment.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
When I started in the industry, learning from experienced colleagues in the office was crucial for career growth. Since COVID, the focus has shifted to remote work and work-life balance. Employees now expect this flexibility, which poses a challenge in collaborative fields like advertising, where in-person presence matters. It’s time to shift our mindset, starting from the top. Leaders should inspire and motivate teams to excel and positively impact businesses because this improves well-being. Working diligently and then disconnecting after feeling accomplished and focusing on ambition rather than entitlement will result in more satisfying careers.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ammunitionteam/ and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ammunitionagency/
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.
Kelly Heilpern Of Ammunition On How We Can Increase Women’s Engagement in Leadership and Management was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.