How could your creative department function better?
I’m here to help you find out.
Hello, I’m Angela.
I believe all teams can be high-performing when they’re set up to succeed.
That’s why my work transforms creative teams from being undervalued and trapped in a position of being “order-takers”, to having a larger impact as strategic players and thought leaders within their organizations.
Are you ready to achieve that for your department?
Here’s a peek at SEVEN things that helped me get here.
1.
I’m not afraid to work hard for what I want… and to change course when necessary.
I spent my freshman year of college taking night classes to get into the University of Maryland’s full-time Architecture program. Then I realized that I didn’t want to study Architecture at all… so I transferred to study Graphic Design at NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology. 3 years after graduating from FIT with Honors, I changed course again: from being a Senior Designer to managing operations for a design studio. I haven’t looked back since.
2.
I believe that a willingness to embrace the unknown and figure sh*t out is an incredibly valuable attitude.
Because in order to achieve something, none of us needs to know everything. That mindset has served me well in my career (whether I’ve been working in-house, out-of-house, at agencies, as a vendor, as VP of Design Ops for a multi-billion-dollar company, or as a strategist and consultant…) and in life (such as when I was a 20-year-old backpacker trekking through Europe in the pre-cellphone era, with only a beaten-up guidebook and the kindness of strangers to help me get where I wanted to go.)
3.
I am a working mom. Always have been. And I embrace that.
I was back at work about a month after my first son’s birth, thanks to a department closure at my husband's company, which left him looking for a new job and me heading back to the office sooner than expected. Working and parenting took my planning and time management skills to an entirely new level -- especially with 3 hours a day spent commuting on NJ transit! But when you’re as passionate about your work and about your kids as I am, you make it work. I adore my boys. They’ve always loved visiting the places I’ve worked, seeing the projects and products that my teams worked on, and I hope, seeing in me, that it is possible to absolutely love the work you do everyday.
4.
I’m known for my empathetic, non-judgmental disposition (and for being an exceptional listener!)
This probably comes down to the importance I place on listening to learn and to understand. Others noticed this trait in me early on, when I was a resident assistant at college in NYC, and discreetly managed a large range of student challenges and issues as I oversaw a very diverse student population in campus housing. Today, that trait is key to my ability to diagnose what’s really happening on the ground in the companies I’m called in to advise… and to find sustainable solutions that entire departments can get on board with.
5.
I believe that creative teams can position themselves as valuable strategic partners.
I’m passionate about empowering the next generation of creative talent to communicate clearly, problem solve effectively, and step into leadership roles within their organizations. With over two decades of building, growing and leading successful teams behind me, I’ve seen firsthand how creative departments can create broader influence and impact within companies when they stop being simply the people who “make things look good” and start being recognized and leveraged as strategic partners.
6.
My love of problem solving undoubtedly comes from my dad (who would ask me questions as a kid, rather than just giving me directions or answers…)
I carry that mindset with me today, whether I’m fixing my family’s broken washing machine, leaky faucet or dislodged bicycle chain (yes, I’m the go-to fix-it person in my household!) or when I’m advising my clients on how to fix broken processes, improve communication, influence change, or maximize the talent on their team. I have an innate ability to connect the dots and see how things relate to one another (or not), and anticipate needs or challenges. That’s just how my brain works.
7.
I believe every day provides opportunities to learn and grow as well as to teach and share.
Early on in my career, I uncovered a deep love of teaching when I was invited to be a guest professor at NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Today, I mentor and coach creative individuals in corporate settings, and can often be found delivering talks and leading workshops at large-scale industry events. I am genuinely curious and inspired by other people’s talent and knowledge, and I absolutely love sharing what I know to help more creatives SUCCEED.
“Angela’s exceptional work contributed to massive company growth!
Angela came into an organization that was missing timelines and spending a lot of money to pay for rushed projects. She met with stakeholders and business partners and vendors, built a team, and delivered a process that worked like a well-oiled machine. I honestly don't think Bath & Body Works could have delivered its massive growth during my time there without Angela's exceptional work keeping everything running.”
Steve Lange, (former) Vice President, Brand Development, Bath & Body Works
“Angela has an incredible ability to look at the entire picture!”
I worked with Angela when she came on board as a Consultant to support the organization, and our creative team, during a period of change and growth. She has extensive knowledge in creative operations/production and has an incredible ability to look at the entire picture and break down information and determine how to navigate through. She quickly found gaps in our process and connected the dots to make our department run seamlessly. With Angela’s mentoring, support and guidance, I’ve grown more confident in my abilities to tackle new challenges, and I can’t thank her enough for everything she’s taught me!
Caren Fiore, Artwork Project Manager, eos Products
Thanks to Angela, I have priceless tools that I still use today!
Angela is the perfect choice to lead in any company. She recognizes the need for innovation or improvement and explores new solutions, while encouraging associates to be curious. Most importantly, she is a master at providing stability to a team during uncertain times. She has the ability to objectively consider other people's ideas and opinions and her approachable nature and honest communication style is unique to her. She is an inspirational mentor!”
Kim Sonsky, (former) Senior Designer, Bath & Body Works
Media Bio
Angela Mastandrea is an expert consultant in creative operations, who transforms creative departments from struggling with missed deadlines, poor communication, and constant redesigns, into thriving, highly accountable and productive teams that create exceptional design work and are massive assets to their companies.
Angela is the perfect mix of left brain and right brain: with her background in design and her ability to speak “creative”, she knows exactly what creative teams need to flourish, and combines this with a genius for setting up efficient, sustainable processes to improve and streamline workflow operations, retain talent, and maximize creative output.
Angela brings to the table more than 25 years of success driving results for million-dollar to multi-billion-dollar businesses and clients. She is exceptionally adept at establishing workplace cultures of problem-solving and taking responsibility, and at teaching creative teams the communication strategies they need to position themselves as valuable strategic partners within their companies long after her time with them is over.
When she’s not delivering outstanding results for her clients, you can find her enjoying the great outdoors with her husband and two teenage boys, biking, hiking, or exploring the National Parks by R.V.. Angela is an industry thought leader with experience as a conference speaker, workshop facilitator and academic instructor.