Jean Freeman
Principal + CEO
Zambezi
Jean Freeman is the Principal and CEO of Zambezi, the largest, female-owned, full service creative agency in the country.
During her time at the agency, Jean has successfully grown Zambezi from a startup to a thriving business with a focus on creating tailored solutions that propel brands forward, and nurturing an agency culture of supportive collaboration. With Jean at the helm, Zambezi has attracted a number of blue chip clients including AT&T, Disney Plus, The TaylorMade Golf Company, The Coca-Cola Company, PayPal/Venmo, Apple/Beats by Dre, Traeger Grills and Ultimate Kronos Group. The agency has been included on the Inc. 5000 list five times, named Small Agency of the Year by Advertising Age twice, been recognized as one of the “Largest Women-Owned Businesses” and “100 Fast Growing Companies in LA” by the Los Angeles Business Journal, and named ThinkLA’s Creative/Full Service Agency of the Year, and DIG Award recipient for the agency’s outstanding diversity, equality and inclusion efforts. Additionally, Jean has been included in Adweek’s “Disruptor List”, Campaign US’s 40 over 40 honors, and named one of the 4A’s “100 People Who Make Advertising Great.”
A leading advocate for the advancement of women business leaders, Jean’s commitment to teaching women the skills to run and grow a business and thrive in their own leadership positions has led her to be a part of a number of female-focused initiatives, including serving on the MAKERS, The 3% Movement, and the Los Angeles Chapter Entrepreneurs Organization advisory boards, as well as serving as an instructor for 4A’s educational programs. Jean also serves as the Co-President of the Executive Committee for ThinkLA. Jean was recognized with the “3 Cheers Award” from The 3% Conference, and named a “Working Mother of the Year” by She Runs It for the positive example she sets as an accomplished working mother, and the progressive family-oriented programs she has put in place.
Jean is a frequent op-ed contributor on issues ranging from women in the workplace to leadership to building and maintaining a sustainable business. She also plays a central role in leading her family’s privately held $100MM personal planner business, Blue Sky.
During her time at the agency, Jean has successfully grown Zambezi from a startup to a thriving business with a focus on creating tailored solutions that propel brands forward, and nurturing an agency culture of supportive collaboration. With Jean at the helm, Zambezi has attracted a number of blue chip clients including AT&T, Disney Plus, The TaylorMade Golf Company, The Coca-Cola Company, PayPal/Venmo, Apple/Beats by Dre, Traeger Grills and Ultimate Kronos Group. The agency has been included on the Inc. 5000 list five times, named Small Agency of the Year by Advertising Age twice, been recognized as one of the “Largest Women-Owned Businesses” and “100 Fast Growing Companies in LA” by the Los Angeles Business Journal, and named ThinkLA’s Creative/Full Service Agency of the Year, and DIG Award recipient for the agency’s outstanding diversity, equality and inclusion efforts. Additionally, Jean has been included in Adweek’s “Disruptor List”, Campaign US’s 40 over 40 honors, and named one of the 4A’s “100 People Who Make Advertising Great.”
A leading advocate for the advancement of women business leaders, Jean’s commitment to teaching women the skills to run and grow a business and thrive in their own leadership positions has led her to be a part of a number of female-focused initiatives, including serving on the MAKERS, The 3% Movement, and the Los Angeles Chapter Entrepreneurs Organization advisory boards, as well as serving as an instructor for 4A’s educational programs. Jean also serves as the Co-President of the Executive Committee for ThinkLA. Jean was recognized with the “3 Cheers Award” from The 3% Conference, and named a “Working Mother of the Year” by She Runs It for the positive example she sets as an accomplished working mother, and the progressive family-oriented programs she has put in place.
Jean is a frequent op-ed contributor on issues ranging from women in the workplace to leadership to building and maintaining a sustainable business. She also plays a central role in leading her family’s privately held $100MM personal planner business, Blue Sky.