HER Agency – Details, episodes & analysis

Today, listeners will be taken through a powerful collection of moments that highlight what it truly means for Black women in advertising to reclaim their value, voice, and agency. From deciding to fund their own opportunities after being overlooked, to walking away from roles that only tolerated them, these reflections serve as bold reminders that choosing yourself is not just brave—it’s necessary. This episode captures the real, unfiltered truths about navigating burnout, self-advocacy, intuition, and career pivots. It dives into what it feels like to be underpaid, undervalued, and underestimated—and how to rise above it with clarity and conviction. Whether someone is in a season of transition, stuck at a crossroads, or finally ready to put themselves first, this episode reminds them that they don’t need permission to take up space. They already have the agency—they just have to own it. KEY POINTS  1: This is What Representation Really Looks Like: How Marinda Yelverton is Redefining Leadership 3: How to Use Storytelling to Own Your Agency & Build a Powerful Personal Brand with MacKenzie Green  6: Why I Left My 17-Year Advertising Career: How a Layoff Led Me to My True Purpose  Get In Touch with Brandi Rand! IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/  HER Agency, The Collective Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong. Join The Collective Today! Follow Us on IG:  instagram.com/heragencypod/  Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network 

Brandi shares the personal experiences that redefined the meaning of agency in her life—and why creating HER Agency was never just a passion project, but a necessity. This is the moment that led her to walk away from a workplace where she no longer felt valued, heard, or safe. And it was in that decision to leave that she reclaimed her power. Brandi also shares a proud leadership moment: choosing to advocate for an employee who wasn't the popular pick—a reminder that real leadership is about meeting people where they are, seeing beyond first impressions, and creating space for growth. If you've ever questioned your seat at the table, this episode is your blueprint and your call to action. Get In Touch with Brandi Rand! IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/  HER Agency, The Collective Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong. Join The Collective Today! Follow Us on IG:  instagram.com/heragencypod/  Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network 

In this episode of Her Agency, Brandi breaks down why community isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential for Black women navigating corporate spaces, especially in industries like advertising that weren’t built to serve them. She shares her journey from feeling isolated to leading Onyx, a business resource group designed to support and empower Black talent. Brandi gets real about the emotional toll of being “the only one,” the pressure to perform twice as hard, and why no one should have to carry it all alone. If you’ve ever felt unseen at work—or wondered what’s missing in your career—it might be community. This conversation is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to do it alone. KEY POINTS - The lack of community for black women in advertising  - The value of community in corporate settings  - The importance of having a safe space in the industry - Representation matters: Black women in leadership roles - The role of community in career advancement  - Reasons why most people of color leave advertising  QUOTABLES  "When you find the right community that allows you to feel validated and feel seen, you thrive." – Brandi Rand  "Community is key. When you think about what you need to be able to do, to call in favors or have your name spoken in rooms that you're not in, that's what community looks like. When we talk about having a mentor or a sponsor, somebody who can truly go to bat and advocate for you." – Brandi Rand  Get In Touch with Brandi Rand! IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/  HER Agency, The Collective Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong. Join The Collective Today! Follow Us on IG:  instagram.com/heragencypod/  Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network 

The DEI landscape is shifting, but does that mean the work stops? Not a chance. In this episode, we’re joined by powerhouse Aisha Bean, Chief Diversity Officer at Cashmere Agency, to talk about the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We unpack what’s happening in corporate America, why DEI is still a strategic advantage (not just a nice-to-have), and how brands that ignore culture are setting themselves up for failure. From performative black squares to real, lasting impact, we get into what’s changed since 2020 and what’s next. Aisha shares insights on how we can continue advocating for diversity—even when the titles and departments disappear. Plus, the billion-dollar case study that proves DEI isn’t just good ethics—it’s smart business. Tune in to get the real deal on DEI, culture, and the power of staying in the fight. GUEST RESOURCES  Aisha Bean IG | @raqibee @cashmereagency LinkedIn | @aishabean  Get In Touch with Brandi Rand! IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/  HER Agency, The Collective Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong. Join The Collective Today! Follow Us on IG:  instagram.com/heragencypod/  Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network 

In this episode of Her Agency, Brandi sits down with Alicia Harris, Group Strategy Director at Translation, to talk about owning your agency, the importance of feedback, and building meaningful mentorship relationships.  Alicia has helped brands like BMW, PepsiCo, and The North Face develop marketing strategies that don’t just look good—they drive real engagement and results. She also gets candid about navigating the industry as a Black woman, the importance of owning your agency, and why strategy is more than just a slide deck—it’s a process that connects storytelling to execution. Beyond her career in strategy, Alicia is also the creator and executive producer of The Invisible Thread, a project that highlights the unseen forces shaping our lives and work. She also gives back by mentoring and serving on the advisory board for AdColor, ensuring that the next generation of strategists and creatives thrive. Tune in to hear real-world insights on strategy, feedback, mentorship, and what it truly takes to make an impact in advertising. KEY POINTS - The importance of strategy for effective creative work  - Alicia's career journey and the role of Group Strategy Director  - The value of having the desire to improve craft constantly  - The importance of mentorship and community - Alicia's approach to building strong relationships - The "through line" strategy from concept to final execution - Supporting the next-generation organization involvement  - The pivotal role of having mentors and seeking opportunities - What’s next for Alicia?  QUOTABLES  "Don't worry about being nice, worry about being respected." – Alicia Harris  "You reap what you sow in terms of leadership. If you don't give back, if you don't pour into others, how do you expect others to give back and really pour into you, or even to be able to attract that type of energy be what you want?" – Alicia Harris  "Don't get so trapped up in other people's brands that you forget your own." – Alicia Harris GUEST RESOURCES  Alicia Harris  IG | @aliciamharris Linkedin | @aliciaalexis  Get In Touch with Brandi Rand! IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/  HER Agency, The Collective Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong. Join The Collective Today! Follow Us on IG:  instagram.com/heragencypod/  Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network 

For years, I poured my energy into the advertising industry—working with brands like Uber, Samsung, AT&T, Toyota, and Bank of America. I fought to make brands do right by their consumers, to push for meaningful change, and to create real impact. But when I told my husband I was ready to leave the industry, I didn’t realize how soon that would happen. Fast forward to 2024, and I was hit with a layoff. It was tough—I had built relationships, led major campaigns, and left my mark. But I was faced with a decision: go back to the game or build something of my own? That’s when for myself turned into for the collective. Now, I’m shifting the industry from the outside, pouring into Black women who are navigating advertising—helping them go from surviving to thriving. In this episode, I share my journey, the lessons I’ve learned, and why I built a platform to support women like me. Get In Touch with Brandi Rand! IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/  HER Agency, The Collective Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong. Join The Collective Today! Follow Us on IG:  instagram.com/heragencypod/  Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network 

DEI is under attack—but does that mean the movement is over? Not even close. In this episode of Her Agency, I sit down with Aisha Bean, the Chief Diversity Officer of Cashmere Agency to break down the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in today’s business world. Aisha brings over 17 years of HR experience from leading Silicon Beach tech companies like Experian Interactive Media, Core Digital Media, (mt) Media Temple, and GoDaddy. After 6 years of building the People & Culture function before merging with Media Monks, Aisha is well-equipped to lead such initiatives. As a people and culture evangelist, Aisha champions the mission of driving the business with DEI initiatives. This includes developing strategies, cultural programming, and management coaching efforts to empower the company's most valuable asset – the people. In addition, Aisha actively ensures a safe and rewarding work environment by implementing culturally-informed solutions for the agency's clients. In this candid conversation, we discuss the shift from 2020’s corporate commitments to today’s rollbacks, what it means for businesses and culture, and why ignoring DEI isn’t just a moral misstep—it’s bad for business. From Rihanna’s Fenty empire changing the industry to the new generation of marketers demanding authenticity, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the intersection of culture and commerce. If you’re wondering what’s next for DEI and how to stay in the game, press play now. KEY POINTS - Aisha’s career journey, the importance of self-confidence  - Life strategy and planning vs therapy and manifesting - The role of DEI in making people thrive in environments - The current state of DEI and its work-life integration  - Examples of brands and companies that support DEI efforts - Aisha as a people and culture evangelist - Tech and multicultural marketing: need for inclusive AI tools - On creating real connections in advertising  - The future of cultural agencies, involve finance QUOTABLES  "When we talk about her agency, my own personal agency, it's about life strategy." – Aisha Bean "Write your own story. Build Community. Show up like the proof is in the pudding of what you do. And if you haven't done it yet — you will —you will give yourself the opportunity and time and show and prove [that] you can do it. You got this." – Aisha Bean GUEST RESOURCES  Aisha Bean IG | https://www.instagram.com/raqibee/ https://www.instagram.com/cashmereagency/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/aishabean  Get In Touch with Brandi Rand! IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/   HER Agency, The Collective | http://heragency.co/  Follow Us on IG:  instagram.com/heragencypod/  Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong. Join The Collective Today! Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network (https://www.epyc.co/) 

What does it take to push back, stand firm, and fight for your ideas—especially when no one else sees the vision? In this segment, Courtney Richardson shares how she stays true to her creative instincts, champions groundbreaking work, and uses her lived experience as a competitive edge. From pitching culture-shifting campaigns to making space for diverse voices in the room, she breaks down what it really means to lead with conviction in the creative industry. GUEST RESOURCES  Courtney Richardson  IG | @doitforthebrand MoNA site | themona.com  Portfolio |.doitforthebrand.com  Get In Touch with Brandi Rand! IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/  HER Agency, The Collective Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong. Join The Collective Today! Follow Us on IG:  instagram.com/heragencypod/  Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network

After 17 years in advertising, working with brands like Uber, Samsung, AT&T, Toyota, and Bank of America, I thought I had seen it all. I climbed the ranks, led major campaigns, and built a name for myself in an industry that often made me feel like the only one in the room. But when I was unexpectedly laid off, everything changed. It forced me to ask myself: do I jump back in—or do I finally build something of my own? That’s when my purpose became clear. In this episode, I share my journey—from being a Black woman in an overwhelmingly white industry to creating a space where we don’t just survive, but thrive. I talk about the lessons, the struggles, and the moment I decided to take control of my own agency—literally and figuratively. If you’ve ever felt lost in advertising space or find yourself craving a community that you were never able to find, this one’s for you. KEY POINTS - Brandi’s 17-year journey in the advertising world - The main purpose of Her Agency podcast  - Early years with local businesses and real estate executives - On transitioning to PR and account manager roles  - Sense of belongingness at work with impactful campaigns  - Challenges and transition to Her Agency to support black women  - Vision for Her Agency: provide tools, knowledge, and safe spaces  - Own your voice: Taking charge of own agencies together  QUOTABLES  "Energy is everything, and if I meet someone who doesn't have the right energy, I can tell instantly, and I just don't continue to allow myself to be in that space." – Brandi Rand  "I knew that there needed to be an opportunity for people to really have a safe space, have a connection, have community, and learn from each other." – Brandi Rand  "If you are ready to thrive and not just survive in this male-dominated space, if you want to lock arms, build community and culture with others that look like you, join her agency, the collective, a place where we're having real conversations, doing the work, building our brands, taking up space and owning our agency." – Brandi Rand  Get In Touch with Brandi Rand! IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/  HER Agency, The Collective Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong. Join The Collective Today! Follow Us on IG:  instagram.com/heragencypod/  Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network

Mentorship, advocacy, and leadership are at the core of today’s discussion with Courtney Williams, VP and Head of Business Development at The Martin Agency. From her early days as an intern to becoming a trailblazer in the advertising world, Courtney shares how mentors and sponsors shaped her journey and how she’s paying it forward by creating opportunities for others. Discover how Courtney navigates being the only Black woman in the room, leverages her authentic leadership style, and empowers others to find their voice. This conversation is a powerful reminder that sometimes all it takes is one person saying, “You’ve got this.” GUEST RESOURCES  Courtney Williams  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/my/courtlyndelle  Get In Touch with Brandi Rand! IG | https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/  HER Agency, The Collective Are you a Black woman thriving in advertising or ready to start? Join HER Agency, The Collective—a community designed for you to build, connect, and own your agency with women who share your journey. Let’s have real conversations, elevate our brands, and make space where we belong. Join The Collective Today! Follow Us on IG:  instagram.com/heragencypod/  Her Agency is produced by EPYC Media Network