Brenda Freeman

Brenda Freeman was appointed to Chief Brand Officer for Wunderkind, January 2022. She is incredibly well positioned for this role since over a 25 year career, Brenda Freeman has driven award-winning results by staying at the forefront of shifting consumer behavioral trends and emerging technologies. A P&L digital transformation leader versed in multichannel management, she has a passion for providing thought leadership to early-stage start-ups and F50. She has created a professional reputation as an empathetic, passionate thought leader with a broad business network as a result of tenured public and private board director service and FTE experience with world-class companies. Brenda Freeman most recently held the position of Chief Executive Officer to the world's leading DTC arts and crafts manufacturing and supply company, Arteza, headquartered in North Miami, Florida. She reimagined the company’s mission to disrupt the art supply industry with its direct-to-consumer model, introduced new product innovation, and strengthened online and social media presence focusing on providing superior customer experiences. In just a short year’s time, she doubled the business from $58M to $109M, expanded sales on the Amazon marketplace, and launched sales on Wal-mart.com and Target.com. She left the company ensuring its long-term success by leading the plan for a 3-5 year digital product roadmap to build scalable community functionality for the company website, Arteza.com. Last year Arteza Inc was recognized by Inc. 5000 as the fastest-growing private start-up in the state of Florida and ranked #32 of all private businesses in 2020. Prior to Arteza, Brenda served as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for the Florida-based multi-billion dollar technology start-up, Magic Leap, leading the company go-to-market strategy and communications, brand development, digital marketing, and creative efforts. Previously, Brenda served as CMO for National Geographic Channels where she oversaw the channel’s marketing, production, and communications functions. Before, Freeman served as Global Head of Television Marketing for DreamWorks, where she created the DreamWorks TV Marketing Unit under Jeffrey Katzenberg. Prior to DreamWorks Animation, Freeman was Chief Marketing Officer for Turner Broadcasting, a Time Warner division, leading the Animation, Young Adults, and Kids Media Group. Before joining Turner, Freeman served as SVP of Integrated Marketing for Nickelodeon and the MTV Networks Kids and Family Group. Prior to that, Freeman served as VP of Consumer Marketing for VH1. Freeman also served as Group VP of Affiliate Marketing, Entertainment Group for MTV Networks for Spike TV, Nickelodeon, Noggin, Nick at Nite, and TV Land. Freeman began her marketing career in the consumer packaged goods industry working for Pepsi Cola and Frito Lay in various promotional and brand management roles. She graduated undergrad as a practicing design engineer in the aerospace industry. Brenda has consistently delivered business results for decades and has received multiple awards and recognitions, such as Top Women in Media by Cynopsis, recipient of the coveted Multichannel News Wonder Woman Award, Cable News Most Powerful Women In Entertainment, Black Enterprise Top Women in Corporate America, and recognized by American Cable Association as Top Influential Minorities in Tech, Cable and Communications. She is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), International Women’s Forum Florida chapter (IWF), and member of the esteemed Executive Leadership Council (ELC) a professional organization for African American corporate executives. Brenda currently serves as an independent board director for Avnet Inc. (technology and distribution), Caleres Inc. (fashion manufacturing and retail), and Blue Apron (DTC food delivery service). She is an active supporter of the arts and her beloved local Miami community serving as a board director for The Bakehouse Art Complex and an Ambassador of the Black Art Fund for the Perez Art Museum of Miami (PAMM). She also continues as a tenured advisor for the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) mentoring young students of Color to actualize their career goals. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a joint M.B.A in finance and marketing, all from the University of Maryland, College Park.