Bio

Jessica Hawthorne-Castro is the CEO of Hawthorne Advertising, an award-winning technology-based advertising agency specializing in analytics and accountable brand campaigns for 35 years. Hawthorne has a legacy of ad industry leadership by being a visionary in combining the art of right-brain creativity with the science of left-brain data analytics and neuroscience. Jessica's role principally involves fostering long-standing client relationships with the company's expansive base of Fortune 500 brands to develop highly strategic and measurable advertising campaigns, designed to ignite immediate consumer response. From strategy, creative and production to media and analytics, Jessica is committed to premium quality and innovation throughout all agency disciplines. Hawthorne Advertising is a Women Owned Business, a certified Great Place to Work, and on the Inc. 5000 List.

As a thought leader, Jessica is a contributor for various industry publications and speaks on panels offering insights on key industry trends. She has published hundreds of articles with Forbes,AdAge,AdWeek, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, American Marketing Association, and many more.In addition, Jessica has received many awards for her career accomplishments including the Ernst & Young "EntrepreneurOfThe Year" in the Transformational Leader category, and Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing "CEO Leadership Award" Winner.

Prior to joining Hawthorne Advertising, Hawthorne-Castro was a successful TV literary agent with William Morris Endeavor (formerly Endeavor), one of Hollywood's top, full-service talent agencies representing writers, directors and producers for television. As the agent for an impressive list of WME's top TV talent, she identified and negotiated opportunities for shows airing on all major broadcast and cable television networks.

Jessica is the Chapter Chair for YPO Los Angeles and on the YPO Pacific U.S Regional Executive Board and YPO Global Editorial Advisory Board. In addition, Jessica is on the Board of the ANA/Association of National Advertisers ECHO Awards, the L.A. Chamber of Commerce's CEO Council and social justice Boards including Dignity Moves Homelessness Board and is a Climate Change Reality Ambassador. Hawthorne-Castro holds a Magna Cum Laude MBA degree from Loyola Marymount University and a Cum Laude Bachelor's degree from UCLA's School of Arts and Architecture. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, son and daughter.