Current Speakers

Beth Wade is the chief marketing officer of VMLY&R, a global brand and customer experience agency creating connected brands. Beth leads the global marketing and communication efforts at VMLY&R, as well as network integration with offices worldwide.

VMLY&R launched in late 2018 when VML and Y&R joined forces and further grew in 2020 with the addition of VMLY&R Commerce. With over 80 offices in 40 countries worldwide, the VMLY&R network has been honored as Global Network Agency of the Year by The Drum, on the Ad Age A-List, as Creative Network of the Year by Campaign, and as Advertising Network of the Year by Campaign US. Additionally, VMLY&R has been recognized as Campaign’s Best Place to Work and Global D&I Initiative; one of the top three Best Places to Work in Advertising & Marketing by LinkedIn; and as the Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.

With over 25 years of multichannel advertising experience, Beth is a trusted leader with excellent knowledge of how to drive brand momentum across consumer experiences. Beth was named the 2023 CMO of the Year by Ingram’s Magazine, named to the Top 50 Women Leaders in Missouri in 2022 and honored in Women Who Mean Business in 2019.

Beth is extremely passionate about giving back to her community and helping mold the next generation of female leaders. To that end, she is a founding member and proud supporter of Lumina, VMLY&R’s employee resource network for women.

She spends her free time with her husband and her daughter in Kansas City. And, of course, she cheers on the Kansas City Chiefs whenever she has the chance.