LUMINARY
AWARDS

ABOUT THE AAF DALLAS LUMINARY AWARDS

The AAF Dallas Luminary Awards celebrate the extraordinary talent, leadership, and impact of individuals who are lighting the way forward in the Dallas advertising and marketing industry.

Formerly known as Shining Stars, this reimagined program honors professionals who not only excel in their craft but also use their influence to inspire change, mentor others, and shape the future of our community.

Each Luminary is a beacon and recognized for their excellence in creativity, strategy, innovation, and purpose-driven work. Whether they are guiding teams, elevating brands, or building a more inclusive industry, tonight’s honorees remind us what’s possible when passion meets purpose.

The Luminary Awards are more than a celebration. They are a reminder that the brightest leaders are not just stars in their own right; they light the path for others to follow.

OUR SPONSORS

For sponsorship details, please contact Caitlin Watson, Executive Director of AAF Dallas at office@aafdallas.org

OUR HONOREES

2025

  • Alice Kendrick, Ph.D., Southern Methodist University, Professor Temerlin Advertising Institute Meadows School of the Arts
  • Alicia Conner, See Pictures Production, Owner and Producer
  • Amanda Jackson, LERMA/& Our Bodega, Creative Director
  • Asha Gopalan Ramirez, Multiview, VP of Marketing
  • Carrie Davis, Communities Foundation of Texas, Senior Director, Marketing Operations
  • Deja Sanders, Our Bodega, CEO & Founder
  • Jackie Fernandez, Truth Marketing + Media, Associate Media Director
  • Jacqueline Hoyos, Moroch, Chief Media Officer
  • Jan Marie Ballard, Texas Christian University, Senior Faculty, Dept of Design
  • Jennifer Krajcirovic, Mouser Electronics, Design Services Director
  • Jennifer Walker, Visit Dallas, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
  • Lee Hackett, East Texas A&M University, Director of Visual Communication
  • Marian Leonard, Arm Candy, Managing Director
  • Maureen Ealy, PMG, Client Strategy Senior Director
  • Meghan McPartland-Krakauer, TRG, Senior Director of Communications
  • Natalie Yancy, The Dallas Morning News & Medium Giant, Chief Revenue Officer
  • Rhonda Contreras, TRG, Principal and Chief Collaboration Officer
  • Sarah Franks, Plot Twist Creativity, Director of Media
  • Taylor Torcellini, Twisted X Global Brands, Creative Director
  • Val De Fex, The Infinite Agency, Brand Director

2023

  • Amy Mosteller, Group Brand Director at TRG
  • Andee Bradford, Senior Manager of Analytic Solutions at Drumline
  • Cassie Lee Kite, Associate Creative Director – Art at TRG
  • Crystal “Crys” Cardwell, Chief Marketing Officer at Pugnacious
  • Dianne Le, Director of Shopper Marketing at Avocados from Mexico
  • Eli Milstein, Director of Sales at Simpli.Fi
  • Haidy Leal, Media Data Analytics Manager at Avocados from Mexico
  • Hilary Hanger, Associate Media Director at Team One
  • Jessica Walker, Principal at TRG
  • Katie Olivier, PR Lead & Account Director at Spire Agency
  • Maddy Kulkarni, Global Marketing Director of Sustainability & Social Impact at PepsiCo
  • Natalie Draeger, Senior Director at 101Media
  • Priscilla Samuel, Media Supervisor at Moroch
  • Rachel Dawer, Senior Copywriter at Plot Twist Creativity
  • Roneka Patterson, Creative Director at Hawkeye
  • Shanna Rossi, Art Director at Twisted X Global Brands
  • Silvana Rosero, CEO at Laguna Media Group
  • Stephanie Hoppe, Cheif Marketing Officer at CiCis Pizza
  • Tina Tackett, Executive Creative Director at The LOOMIS Agency
  • Tricia Mahoney, Chief Marketing Officer Twisted X Global Brands

2022

  • Amber Tinker, Senior Manager – Social at Camelot Strategic Marketing & Media
  • Amoya Buggs, Account Director at RAPP
  • Ashley Mora, Vice President, People Operations & Analytic Solutions at Drumline
  • Batya Friedman, Vice President, Brand Management at The Infinite Agency
  • Cristina Skelton, Manager Insights Research & Strategy at Saatchi & Saatchi
  • Dana Magnuson, Vice President of Business Operations and Analytic Solutions at Drumline
  • Florencia Leibaschoff, Chief Creative Officer at BeautifuLBeast
  • Jennifer Prieto, Group Account Director at TRG
  • Jessica Cramer, Executive Producer at Equilateral
  • Karen Rojas, Group Account Director at WALO
  • Kathy Fawcett Martin, Independent Producer
  • Katie Betik, Director of Logistics at PAVLOV Agency
  • Natalie Miranda, Vice President, Production at TMA
  • Nikki Wilson, Chief Talent and Culture Officer at TRG
  • Sarah Allen, Principal Brand Strategy at LERMA
  • Stephanie Browder, Associate Director, Digital Marketing & E-Commerce at Avocados from Mexico
  • Sue Batterton, Chief Creative Officer at TRG
  • Sunny Bandy, Account Director at TMA
  • Tatiana Chamorro, Owner & Partner at Hite Digital Dallas
  • Wendy Mayes, Creative Director/Writer at Plot Twist Creativity

2021

We’re excited to announce the TOP 20 women in Dallas advertising – The 2021 Class of Shining Stars! These women are Community Leaders, C-Suite Executives, Co-Founders, Executive Vice Presidents, Strategic Masterminds, Media Mavens, and more. They are breaking glass ceilings and elevating the Dallas advertising community to heights we have never seen before! Congratulations to the 2021 Class of Shining Stars!
  • Allison McCaslin, Director of Major Gifts at Presbyterian Night Shelter
  • Amanda Seabaugh, Assistant VP & Cheif of Staff at AT&T
  • Amani Seay, Creative Strategy Manager at T-Mobile
  • Angelica Ocampo, Brand Designer at Strategar
  • Angie Yarbrough, Co-founder & Principal at Stratistry
  • Ashley Parker, Head of Client Services at 3Headed Monster
  • Chandler Crawley, Associate Creative Director at Hawkeye
  • Crystal Gonzales, National Sales Executive at SXMedia/Pandora
  • Elisa Silva, Partner & Managing Director at 3Headed Monster
  • Jennifer Yepez-Blundell, Inclusive Marketing Consultant & Founder at Merida Consulting
  • Kim Alexander, Director of Production at Plot Twist Creativity
  • Laura Heymann, Owner & Creative Director at Green Apple Lane Design
  • Laurel McEuen, Director of Marketing & Creative Services at RAZ Imports Inc.
  • Margie Aguilar, Company Lead & Founder at ISP Creative
  • Martina Brugnoni, Owner & CEO at Uptown Marketing
  • Megan Lucy Neil, Account Supervisor at Launch Agency
  • Nikki Moll, Senior VP of Marketing & Communications at Baylor Scott & White Health
  • Stephanie Bazan, VP & Trade & Market Development at Avocadoes from Mexico
  • Valerie Klimko, VP & Client Partner at Hawkeye
  • Jodi James, Business Development at Studio Tribe & Super Stock

2020

  • Aimee Bové, Director of Media at The Loomis Agency
  • Alexa Pérez, Project Manager at Launch Agency
  • Alisa McCarthy, Brand Management Director at The Infinite Agency
  • Amanda Breaux, Integrated Account Director at Saatchi & Saatchi*
  • Amanda West, Senior Manager of Advertising at Pizza Hut
  • Andrea “Dre” Wilson, Regional Vice President, Client Experience at Goodway Group
  • Ashlynn Rehmani, Local Media Strategist at Univision
  • Brandi Rand, Associate Director of Social Media at Burrell Communications
  • Caitlin Mitchell, Socia Strategy Director at The Richards Group*
  • Claudia Schaefer, Chief Experience Officer at Caliber Collision
  • Diana Schroeder, Vice President of Video Production at The Marketing Arm
  • Dina Light-McNeely, Senior VP Strategy Group Director at Spark Foundry a Publicis Media Agency*
  • Elizabeth Clayton, Principal at Richards Partners*
  • Hayley Dawson-Owens, Director of Consumer Insights & Innovative Strategy at Wingstop
  • Kat Kornegay, Account Director at Johnson & Sekin*
  • Kristina Blake, Partner & Creative Director at 31,000 FT
  • Lysbet Zimmerman, Principal at Quadratic*
  • Molly McLaren, VP, Group Creative Director at The Integer Group*
  • Salma Gottfried, Principal/Brand Management at LERMA/*
  • Tracy Henderson, Founder at Center Reach Communications

2019

  • Alayna Oram, Corporate Director, Marketing at Omni Hotels & Resorts
  • Allison Burzlaff, Senior Copywriter at TracyLocke*
  • Amanda Abrams, Creative Director Team One
  • Amanda Guerra Koch, Director, Connection & Insight Strategy at Saatchi & Saatchi
  • Amy Vollet, SVP, Executive Media Director at The Integer Group
  • Audrey Berger, Principal at Quadratic*
  • Cheryl Huckabay, Managing Principal – Brand Media at The Richards Group*
  • Diane Seimetz Duncan, Principal at Launch Agency*
  • Erin Bryant, Sales Director at Pandora
  • Karie Scuiller, Account Director at Caliber Creative
  • Kathleen Colditz, EVP, Customer Engagement Strategy at The Marketing Arm
  • Kim Moss, Chief Media Officer at TM Advertising*
  • Kimberly Tyner, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Spire Agency
  • Krista McCrimmon, Creative Director at Johnson & Sekin*
  • Luann Boggs, VP of Business Development at bloomfield knoble advertising*
  • Mary Price, Brand Media, Group Head at The Richards Group*
  • Megan Ward, Director of Project and Resource Management at Firehouse
  • Paloma Fuentes, Brand Manager at Richards/Lerma*
  • Pam Watkins, SVP, Business amd Media Strategy at MCC
  • Robin Thomas, Director of Media at Chili’s
  • Sandi Edgar, Marketing Specialist at Temerlin Advertising Institute*, AAF Dallas Education Chair
  • Sarah Beddoe, Vice President, Marketing at Pizza Hut
  • Shelia Lemon, Founder, CEO & President of Citrus Advertising
  • Suzanne La Forgia, Senior Vice President of Captivate*, Past President of AAF Dallas, 2nd Lt. Governor of AAF Tenth District
  • Tracy Armstrong, Senior Manager, Brand Communications at Southwest Airlines

2018

  • Ajeta Sinha, Vice President at Net2Source Inc.
  • Amber Benson, Fractional CMO & Executive-In-Residence at Seamripper
  • Caroline Masullo, Vice President, Digital & e-Commerce at TGI Fridays
  • Carrie La Ferle, Distinguished Professor at Temerlin Advertising Institute
  • Christina Clarke, Senior Director, Marketing at PepsiCo
  • Corri Reichert, Media Director at Southwest Airlines
  • Crystal Anderson, Partner, Strategy Director at 3Headed Monster
  • Daina Middleton, CEO at Ansira
  • Diane Fannon, Principal at The Richards Group
  • Ellen Cook, President at The Integer Group in Dallas
  • Jesse Barnett, Account Manager at BBDO
  • Kathy Sparks, Account Executive at Spectrum Reach
  • LaDonna Miller, Brand Media Negotiator at The Richards Group
  • Linda White, President at Accelerate Online Marketing
  • Lola Lott, Principal and CEO at charlieuniformtango
  • Lori Thelen, SVP of Account Service at The Marketing Arm
  • Natalia Duarte, Account and Production Manager at WALO
  • Nichole Kirsch, Principal and Media Director at Firehouse
  • Olivia Cole, COO and Co-Founder at greenlight
  • Sara Madsen Miller ,COO and Executive Producer at 1820 Productions
  • Stephanie Murdoch ,Senior Producer at BBDO
  • Teresa Novak, Executive Director at DREAM Fund
  • Tina Posey, President at Javelin
  • Tina Tsang, Account Executive at BBDO
  • Yareli Esteban, CEO and Principal at Strategar

2017

  • April Steinbach, Creative Director at Organic
  • Becca Weigman, CEO at TM Advertising
  • Dacia Coffey, CEO at The Marketing Blender
  • Dawn Maire, President, Chief Strategy Officer at Rockfish Digital
  • Elba Intriago, Co-Founder, EVP at Inspire Agency
  • Haley Dugas, Director of Sales at Pandora
  • Ivonne Kinser, Director, Digital Marketing at Avocados from Mexico
  • Jennifer Bell, Group Creative Director at Publicis Hawkeye
  • Jody Venturoni, Partner at LDWW
  • Kala Brock, Media Planner at Next Media
  • Kalyn Asher, Owner at Asher Media
  • Kari Kowalski, Senior Media Manager at Pizza Hut
  • Lauren Pels, Sr. Designer at Rockfish Digital
  • Laurie Evans, Brand Media at The Richards Group
  • Linda Rutherford, Chief Communications Officer at Southwest Airlines
  • Lindsey Goldstein, Creative Director at  MonkeyTag
  • Marissa Deslatte, Strategic Marketing Manager at Nobilis Health
  • Shannon Phillips, Group Creative Director at Johnson & Sekin
  • Sherri Krekeler, Group Creative Director at TracyLocke
  • Trina Roffino, GVP/Chief Client Officer at The Marketing Arm