TBWA Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

TBWA has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, regional operations, financial management, and creative direction.

Driven by a commitment to disruptive creativity, TBWA delivers high-impact advertising campaigns for global brands while maintaining a robust, independent agency structure across international markets.

Leadership Roles at TBWA

  • Chief Executive Officer - Kimberlee Wells
  • Chief Executive Officer Latam - MullenLowe Global - Francisco Samper
  • Group Chief Executive Officer - Luca Gallarelli
  • Chief Financial Officer - Barbara Fitzgerald
  • Group Chief Financial Officer, Ddb & Zealand (Australia) - Paul McHugh
  • President & Chief Creative Officer - Lynne Grigg
  • President - John Balk
  • Chief of Staff - Julie Knowles
  • Kimberlee Wells - Chief Executive Officer

    Kimberlee Wells, the Chief Executive Officer at TBWA, directs the overarching strategic vision and operational excellence of the agency. Wells manages the integration of creative output with client business objectives to ensure market dominance. By fostering a culture of innovation, the Chief Executive Officer aligns internal teams with the evolving needs of global brands. Kimberlee Wells maintains direct oversight of high-level partnerships, ensuring that the agency remains at the forefront of the advertising industry. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of market trends to refine service offerings and expand the agency footprint. Through rigorous management of resources and talent, the Chief Executive Officer drives sustainable growth and maintains the competitive edge of the firm. Strategic decisions made by Wells directly influence the long-term trajectory and creative reputation of the organization within the competitive global marketing landscape.
    Kimberlee Wells

    Francisco Samper - Chief Executive Officer Latam - MullenLowe Global

    Francisco Samper, the Chief Executive Officer Latam - MullenLowe Global at TBWA, architects the expansion and operational success of the agency across the Latin American region. Samper coordinates complex advertising initiatives that resonate with diverse cultural markets while upholding the global standards of the firm. The Chief Executive Officer Latam - MullenLowe Global monitors regional performance metrics to optimize resource allocation and maximize client ROI. Francisco Samper facilitates collaboration between local creative teams and international stakeholders to ensure brand consistency. By identifying emerging market opportunities, the Chief Executive Officer Latam - MullenLowe Global strengthens the agency presence in key territories. This role requires constant navigation of regional economic shifts to maintain profitability. Through disciplined leadership, Samper secures the agency position as a premier partner for multinational corporations seeking effective, localized marketing solutions throughout the entire Latin American theater.
    Francisco Samper

    Luca Gallarelli - Group Chief Executive Officer

    Luca Gallarelli, the Group Chief Executive Officer at TBWA, oversees the collective performance and strategic alignment of multiple agency units. Gallarelli manages the synergy between various departments to ensure that the group delivers cohesive, high-value advertising solutions. The Group Chief Executive Officer monitors financial health and operational efficiency across the entire portfolio. Luca Gallarelli drives the implementation of new technologies and creative methodologies to enhance service delivery. By coordinating with other senior leaders, the Group Chief Executive Officer ensures that the organization meets ambitious growth targets and maintains high standards of client satisfaction. This leadership position involves managing complex organizational structures to foster collaboration and innovation. Through strategic oversight, Gallarelli secures the long-term viability and market influence of the group, ensuring that the agency remains a top-tier choice for global brands requiring sophisticated, multi-channel marketing campaigns.

    Barbara Fitzgerald - Chief Financial Officer

    Barbara Fitzgerald, the Chief Financial Officer at TBWA, directs the financial strategy and fiscal health of the agency. Fitzgerald manages capital allocation, budgeting, and financial reporting to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business. The Chief Financial Officer oversees the financial planning processes that support the agency creative and operational goals. Barbara Fitzgerald analyzes market data to identify cost-saving opportunities and revenue growth potential. By maintaining rigorous financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer ensures compliance and transparency across all global operations. This leadership role involves collaborating with other executives to assess the financial viability of new business ventures and client contracts. Through precise management of assets and liabilities, Fitzgerald provides the necessary stability for the agency to invest in talent and technology. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer secures the financial foundation required to support the agency mission of creating world-class advertising campaigns.

    Paul McHugh - Group Chief Financial Officer, Ddb & Zealand (Australia)

    Paul McHugh, the Group Chief Financial Officer, Ddb & Zealand (Australia) at TBWA, manages the financial operations and fiscal performance within the Australian and regional markets. McHugh architects financial frameworks that support the specific needs of the local agency units while adhering to global standards. The Group Chief Financial Officer, Ddb & Zealand (Australia) monitors regional revenue streams and expenditure to ensure profitability. Paul McHugh provides critical financial insights that inform strategic decisions regarding market expansion and resource investment. By overseeing the financial health of the regional portfolio, the Group Chief Financial Officer, Ddb & Zealand (Australia) ensures that the agency maintains a competitive advantage in the local advertising sector. This role involves managing complex fiscal reporting and risk assessment to protect the agency interests. Through disciplined financial oversight, McHugh supports the delivery of high-quality marketing services across the region.

    Lynne Grigg - President & Chief Creative Officer

    Lynne Grigg, the President & Chief Creative Officer at TBWA, directs the creative vision and operational leadership of the agency. Grigg oversees the development of innovative advertising campaigns that define the brand identity of global clients. The President & Chief Creative Officer manages the creative department to ensure that all output meets the highest standards of quality and disruption. Lynne Grigg fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration, encouraging teams to push boundaries and challenge industry norms. By aligning creative strategy with business objectives, the President & Chief Creative Officer ensures that the agency delivers measurable results for clients. This role involves mentoring creative talent and overseeing the production process from concept to execution. Through visionary leadership, Grigg maintains the agency reputation as a leader in the advertising industry, consistently producing work that resonates with audiences worldwide.

    John Balk - President

    John Balk, the President at TBWA, directs the day-to-day operations and strategic execution of the agency. Balk manages the alignment of internal teams to ensure that client projects are delivered with precision and excellence. The President oversees the implementation of business processes that enhance efficiency and support the agency mission of creating impactful advertising. John Balk coordinates with other senior leaders to drive growth and expand the agency market presence. By focusing on operational excellence, the President ensures that the agency remains agile and responsive to the needs of global brands. This leadership role involves managing client relationships and overseeing the delivery of high-value marketing services. Through strategic management, Balk supports the overall success of the agency, ensuring that all departments work in harmony to achieve the long-term goals of the organization within the competitive advertising landscape.

    Julie Knowles - Chief of Staff

    Julie Knowles, the Chief of Staff at TBWA, facilitates the execution of strategic priorities by streamlining communication and operational workflows across the executive suite. Knowles manages the internal cadence of the leadership team to ensure that critical business objectives receive immediate attention. The Chief of Staff coordinates cross-departmental projects that support the agency mission of delivering disruptive advertising. Julie Knowles monitors the progress of key initiatives, providing the necessary support to remove bottlenecks and enhance productivity. By acting as a central point of contact for senior management, the Chief of Staff ensures that organizational goals remain aligned with the broader corporate strategy. This role involves managing sensitive information and high-level stakeholder relationships to maintain operational stability. Through meticulous planning and oversight, Knowles enables the leadership team to focus on driving growth and maintaining the agency reputation for excellence.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Advertising Networks

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding TBWA Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads TBWA?
    TBWA is led by Kimberlee Wells (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Francisco Samper (Chief Executive Officer Latam - MullenLowe Global) and Luca Gallarelli (Group Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of TBWA’s executive team?
    The executive team of TBWA includes leaders such as Kimberlee Wells (Chief Executive Officer), Francisco Samper (Chief Executive Officer Latam - MullenLowe Global), Luca Gallarelli (Group Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does TBWA have?
    TBWA has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in TBWA’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of TBWA includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer Latam - MullenLowe Global, Group Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Group Chief Financial Officer, Ddb & Zealand (Australia).