VALENTINA GOMEZ BRAVO - President

Executive Creative Director - University of Washington | Author | Speaker | Educator

Valentina Gomez Bravo is an award-winning Executive Creative Director, brand strategist, and multi-passionate leader transforming brands and empowering people through creativity, empathy, and Innovation. She is also an author, entrepreneur, speaker, and educator.

She has over 22 years of experience in the advertising industry, working with international and local brands to create, transform, and build strong, purposeful, and conscious brands across multiple industries. Valentina has been awarded 8 American Advertising Awards for her brand strategy and advertising work. She received the inaugural District 10 - Mosaic Champion Award for her commitment to diversity and inclusion through her creative work, mentorship, leadership, and support of DE&I program initiatives. She is also an honoree of Houston’s 40 under 40 class.

Valentina leads with creativity, passion, empathy, integrity, consciousness, and determination. Her mantra: “Don’t wait for opportunity; create it.”

JOHN LINE - Membership Director

Managing Director - Copacino Fujikado

John serves as the Managing Director for Copacino Fujikado, a 27 year old creative and media agency based in Seattle. In this role he leads client services, operations, and cross-departmental integration. Prior to joining Copacino Fujikado, he served in leadership roles at top agencies including The Many, VML, 360i and Ogilvy, where he steered national campaigns for eBay, Microsoft, Toyota, IKEA, JPMorganChase and many others.

ANDY FARNUM - Board Member

Marketing Project Manager Via Inviso Marketing - Microsoft

Andy is a Seattle-based technology marketing leader with over fifteen years of experience across finance, agency operations, advanced project management, and digital account strategy. He leads global teams serving Microsoft, blending technical expertise, business acumen, and creative vision to deliver impactful results. A Microsoft-certified Azure AI Engineer, Andy also holds certifications in cloud computing, project management, and creative process. He has studied at Seattle University, Stanford University, and the Rhode Island School of Design. A Seattle resident for more than 25 years, Andy brings a global outlook shaped by travel, creativity, and a commitment to service.

HEATHER ALABADO - Brand & Marketing Director

Creative Director / Director - Heatshe.com

Heather is a Creative Director & Commercial Director with a diverse background in advertising, branding, animation, and post-production. She’s worked all over the US before setting roots down in Seattle. She’s built, optimized, and led several creative, design, UX, animation & post teams over the course of her career. Brands she’s directed commercials and creative for include Microsoft, Xbox, Amazon, Brooks Running, Pokémon, and Bleacher Report. Her work has been featured by AdWeek, AdAge, NiceType, IDN Magazine, Ads of the World, Giphy (visualnumnums), and a variety of film festivals. She is currently talking with her hands. Check her out:heatshe.com

MARIA SCHNEPF - Social Media Director

Social Strategist - Green Rubino

Maria Schnepf is a Social Strategist at GreenRubino, where she expertly bridges teams and ideas throughout the media funnel by developing creative, data‑driven media strategies. Known for her strategic mindset, empathy, and individualized approach, Maria fosters strong connections both internally and externally to drive campaign success for a range of client industries.

In her role, she blends creative marketing with strategic insight to evolve social campaigns and cultivate meaningful audience engagement. She also contributes to community outreach organizing engaging career tours for students and volunteering support services, including providing compassionate, stigma-free assistance during challenging times.

Her experience within AAF started in college with participation in the National Student Advertising Competition and continued in the professional organization based in Boise. She is passionate about connecting groups within the advertising, creative and marketing worlds to create an inclusive, collaborative community with AAF.

DAN VANDERHEI - Advertising Education Director

Creative Director - DVDH

With 15+ years of creative leadership for brands like Xbox, Acura, Microsoft, and T-Mobile, Dan tells complex stories simply, translating business goals into human connection. Through his craft, he builds systems that balance efficiency with effectiveness. As a coach and mentor, he leads with curiosity, clarity, and empathy to shape proactive cultures that don’t just make ads but push brands toward cultural relevance.

KATE ZAVITNEVICH - Events Co-Director

Head Of Client Services & Growth - Hrvist

Kate Zavitnevich is Head of Client Services and Growth at HRVIST, a boutique recruiting agency rooted in marketing, advertising, and the fast-moving world of viral digital talent. A connector at heart, Kate thrives on bringing creative minds together and sparking lasting industry relationships. She joined AAF Seattle to craft events that don’t just fill a room, but create real magic and unforgettable moments for the local creative community.

KELLY LANES - Events Co-Director

 Co-Founder, Fuze the Agency | Entrepreneur | Author | Podcaster | Public Speaker 

Business unusual isn’t just a catchphrase for Kelly, it’s her entire way of life. With more than a decade of experience across every corner of the marketing world, Kelly has made it her mission to shatter the status quo and help brands build something wildly original, wildly profitable, and unapologetically them. From her early days as a marketing specialist and event mastermind to her current role as Co-Founder of Fuze the Agency and Find Your Fuze, Kelly has helped countless entrepreneurs, businesses, and dreamers connect with the right audience, at the right time, with the right message (and a big ol’ cup of coffee in hand.) 

A dedicated advocate for strategic thinking, authenticity, and impact-driven results, Kelly pairs her sharp marketing mind with her signature positivity. She believes fully that she can make the world a better place, one brainstorm session (and latte) at a time. When she’s not building brands that make other brands jealous, you’ll find her speaking on stages, hosting her podcast, or mentoring the next generation of creative entrepreneurs; always ready to pour into her community, one connection at a time.  Based in Seattle, WA. Powered by good coffee and bigger ideas.

THOMAS ACKELS - Government Affairs Director

Ceo, Co-Founder & Producer - Offbeat Films

Thomas Ackels is the Co-Founder and CEO of Offbeat Films, an award-winning film and video production agency located in Seattle, WA. With a personal and company value of "a high tide raises all boats," Thomas believes in supporting his industry on a state and local level. Throughout his career, Thomas has worked at the intersection of media, culture and community championing narratives that resonate, inspire and drive positive change. Outside of work, you'll find Thomas on the basketball court, hitting the slopes, or making music - always fueled by a love for creativity, movement, and connection. Thomas is proud to serve on the board supporting the organization's mission to build community and advocate for the talented changemakers in the Seattle area.

ANDRÉS RODRIGUEZ - Communications Director

VP of Strategy - C+C

Andres is a brand strategist and creative thinker who helps brands and organizations define their purpose, craft compelling narratives, and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. He specializes in data-driven storytelling (both quantitative and qualitative), multicultural marketing (in English and Spanish), and brand or campaign strategies that blend insight, culture, and creativity. Andres has helped uncover the strategic foundations that enable brands and campaigns to be developed with clarity and impact, working on projects ranging from public health campaigns to those for Fortune 500 companies.

LUCAS ROSE - Treasurer

Sales Assistant - Pacific Outdoor Advertising

Lucas Rose is a Sales Assistant with Pacific Outdoor Advertising, the premier provider of outdoor advertising solutions in the Pacific Northwest. Primarily working alongside National agencies and brands, he also assists in business with regional and local advertisers. Additionally, Lucas has a hand in daily business dealings for the company which he’s been with for over five years (six years in October). Originally from Salinas, CA, Lucas moved to Seattle in early 2019 and currently resides in West Seattle. In his spare time, he enjoys playing softball, running, biking, watching Seinfeld, reading Western books (he thinks he’s a cowboy), and rooting for the dreaded 49ers!

CINDY PENNINGTON - Executive Director

Owner - Bayview Support

Cindy Penington started  Bayview Support in 1999, where she has provided management and specialized administrative services to over 15 professional, non-profit trade associations. AAF Seattle was Cindy's first client, where she continues as Executive Director after 25 years. In addition to her AAF Seattle Executive Director responsibilities, she also serves as  AAF Seattle American Advertising Awards Co-Chair and AAF District XI American Advertising Awards Representative.