In 2006 I left my home country, Cameroon, to come to the United States on a soccer scholarship. As I had never left the country, and spoke very little English at the time, my dad gave me a piece of advice for my travel: If you're not sure what to do, stop and observe what others are doing.

What started as simple people-watching has evolved into something much deeper—an obsession with understanding why we connect with certain brands on an almost emotional level, and how the most powerful companies don't just sell products, they become part of our identity.

I've built my career on one fundamental belief: empathy isn't just a nice-to-have for marketers. It's the secret weapon that separates campaigns that get forgotten from those that change how people see themselves and their world. It's what allows me to create work that doesn't just reach audiences, but truly moves them.

Through my role as Chief Empathy Officer at Grio—my brand consultancy dedicated to helping companies discover their soul and unleash their unique contribution—I get to work alongside some of the most passionate, fearless, purpose-driven entrepreneurs on the planet.

And honestly? There's no greater privilege than helping visionaries like you find your voice and change the world with it.