In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the fierce women of Swrve: leaders who are breaking barriers, sparking change, and setting new standards every single day. In this blog series, we’re sharing who they are, a quick look at what makes them fierce, and their advice to young women today. 

We’re kicking off this series with Karie Lepito, VP of Global Marketing at Swrve. Based in Santa Cruz, CA, Karie is a natural-born leader and marketing visionary. With extensive agency and technology experience, she blurs the lines of art and science to create unique brand experiences that excite, inspire, and move the needle for her team. She’s a true force, leading Swrve’s creative, experiential, and demand gen efforts, all while simultaneously being a voice of reason and a source of wisdom for leaders across departments.

Get to know Karie, a fierce female leader at Swrve:

JW: What does being a leader mean to you?

KL: Understanding your values and beliefs and being prepared to stand up for what you believe is important. Rallying those around you to keep moving forward toward creative action. Regardless of how stressed you feel in the moment, identify the next baby step and go, go, go.

JW: What's your professional superpower, and how did you discover it?

KL: Observation. In the DC world, Kara Zor-El has X-ray vision. I have a good eye for details and the ability to step back, see the truth, and analyze a situation. I could spin up an origin story but I think it's a skill that was honed through my very large, very emotive east coast Italian family that never let anyone get away with spinning an untruth.

JW: What's your advice to young women today?

KL: As a mom of 2 girls I remind them every day to confront traditional ways of thinking. I tell them, you’re strong (AF) and don’t you ever forget it.

Support the strong women that make this world a better place. Join us in supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation today.