Professional Role and Company Overview
Kathleen Diamantakis is the Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Firebrand Consultancy, a New York, NY-based firm specializing in freelance and fractional strategy leadership within the advertising and brand consulting space. Firebrand Consultancy is positioned as a strategic partner offering high-level brand development and marketing insights, with Kathleen serving as the principal driver of its strategy and client engagements.
Career Trajectory and Expertise
Kathleen possesses a strong background in strategic brand development and leadership, as evidenced by her previous senior roles, notably as Managing Director of Strategy for T Brand at The New York Times Company and her leadership tenure at KBS Strategy Development. These roles showcase her expertise in content strategy, brand innovation, and media integration.
Her professional foundation is bolstered by education at Stanford University and over 500 professional LinkedIn connections, indicative of a well-established network in the marketing, advertising, and brand strategy sectors.
Achievements and Recognitions
Kathleen has been recognized extensively within the creative and advertising industries:
- The One Show Global Creative Rankings | CSO (2024)
- Clio Awards, Bronze (2023)
- Cannes Lions, Titanium and Integrated, Bronze
- David Ogilvy Awards, Gold and Innovation categories
- Effie Awards, Gold and Bronze
- Jay Chiat Strategy Awards, Bronze and Honorable Mention
These awards indicate a proven track record of delivering impactful, effective brand strategies and creative leadership recognized at major industry benchmarks.
Thought Leadership, Public Engagement, and DEI Advocacy
Kathleen is active in thought leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advocacy:
- Co-developer and guest lecturer for the course Storytelling in the Digital Age at CUNY Baruch College.
- Frequent speaker at industry events including Advertising Week, Content Marketing World, and The 3% Conference.
- Panelist and contributor addressing Diversity Disconnect and Business Case for Diversity themes in creative industries.
- Membership and leadership roles in several notable organizations:
- She Runs It (formerly Advertising Women of New York) – Board of Directors and Officer.
- The 3% Movement – Leadership working group championing female and minority representation in creative leadership.
- New & Improved – DEI advocacy focused on actionable change.
- 2045 Studio – Invite-only network of leaders of color.
- On Behalf Organization – Co-founder, focusing on ending bias in education and parenting.
Her published work includes Justice & Brand Accountability, a white paper distributed through Ogilvy, focusing on how brands can leverage influence to promote racial and social justice.
Professional Reputation and Client Impact
Testimonials highlight Kathleen’s ability to motivate teams, unlock customer insights, and deliver strategic clarity:
- Described as a leader who “invests in people and builds strong, connected teams” with “empathy, insight, and purpose.”
- Recognized for deep understanding of consumer motivations, generating strong brand-customer connections.
- Praised for her partnership approach to creative teams and leading business pitches with precision and passion.
Geographic and Network Information
Kathleen operates primarily in the New York City Metropolitan Area, aligning with the Firebrand Consultancy headquarters. Her extensive professional network (500+ connections) and affiliations with multiple leadership and DEI groups position her as an influential figure embedded in both the commercial and social impact sides of brand strategy.
This profile surfaces Kathleen Diamantakis as a strategic, award-winning leader driven by innovation in brand strategy and diversity advocacy, with significant experience managing and consulting within high-profile media and advertising environments. Her leadership at Firebrand Consultancy leverages her comprehensive industry expertise and network influence to drive impactful client results.
