Venables Bell + Partners Promotes Kate Jeffers to President and Partner

Independent agency Venables Bell + Partners announced today the promotion of Kate Jeffers to president. A 16-year veteran of the agency, most recently as chief operating officer / partner, Kate has played a pivotal role in the agency’s growth, development of new capabilities and resources, long-standing client partnerships, and expansion of work into new global markets. As president, Kate will continue to focus on growth and lead business development and client partnerships.

“Kate personifies the values that our agency is built upon - being honest, fearless and independent,” said Paul Venables, founder and chairman, VB+P. “She has made an incredible mark on our business over the years, from client partnerships to developing new capabilities based on our clients' needs to empowering and growing our people. We're both lucky and grateful to have such a remarkable leader at our helm."

Since being named partner in 2015, Kate has constructed a new operational model that enables distinct divisions to take on their own clients, while providing holistic services to current clients. This includes the development of VB+P’s in-house production unit, Lumberyard, as well as social media and retail advertising divisions. Kate was also instrumental in the agency’s recent launch of its new brand AI firm B R A I V E. Additionally, Kate spearheaded the agency’s involvement in Fellow, an app-based mentorship community created specifically for women in advertising, which was developed in partnership with two former employees and funded by VB+P. 

Kate has proven to be an empathetic leader who is passionate about diversity, and has helped create an inclusive culture where people are both personally and professionally supported. She has led a variety of DEI initiatives, spanning agency salary audits to ensure equal pay equality, developing new mentorship and educational programs, and recruitment practices that foster greater diversity and inclusion. Kate has also recently formed a DEI Advisory Board to ensure that employees are active participants in shaping these efforts, and she has led an audit of all agency service partners to guarantee high representation of women- and minority-owned businesses.  

In her spare time, Kate works with SchoolsRule and Summer Search to help close the education gap for minority and underprivileged students by providing new opportunities, resources, mentoring, and youth programs.

“I'm honoured to be named president of VB+P,” said Kate. “VB+P is my home, and has given me amazing opportunities to grow over the years, both personally and professionally. I feel incredibly lucky to work alongside some of the nicest, smartest and most talented people in the industry. While we've seen incredible growth and success to date, I'm convinced that our best years are ahead of us and am excited to help lead the charge."