About
I've been creating events and experiences for nearly 20 years. I'm a creative at heart with a strategic mind and a passion for leading multidisciplinary teams to create unique moments and impactful experiences across all mediums. I've worked on productions, live and virtual, of all sizes, from corporate events for a few thousand to mainstream TV shows.
As a leader, I provide hands-on management that unites creativity and practical operational processes to deliver the next new thing! As a manager I have led teams as big as 50 at Fortune 250 companies, including Oracle, Whole Foods Market, Scotts lawn care, and various agencies. And as a creative, I built brands, launched websites, and won awards. As a person I am always learning, so let me assure you that I’ve made plenty of mistakes over the past 15 years so I lead with humility and a cooperative spirit.
I believe a brand is more than the sum of its parts. It’s not just the logo and the online video or marketing campaign. Brands today must blend lifestyle, entertainment, and products to play a meaningful role in people’s lives. My creativity and skill set uniquely qualify me to push the boundaries of this trend.
Last but not least, just in case we meet one day, I’d like to remove some of the awkwardness by telling you how to pronounce my name. Here’s what I tell people: It’s “va,” which rhymes with “awe,” followed by “don,” like the character Don Draper. Va-Don. Vadan. Honestly, I’ll answer anything, but what I find is that people want to know. There is a story around my name, having to do with the worldwide travels of my hippy parents but that’s for another moment.
10 surprising things about me:
Favorite Place on earth – Bali
James Beard Award winner
Senior Class president
Finished a Half Iron Man Triathlon
Make a mean pot of chili
Tapped by Forrester Research to help develop strategies to reach Millennials
Voted one of the “50 Most Influential Content Marketers” by NewsCred.com in 2013: http://www.slideshare.net/NewsCred/50-influential-marketers-v9
Once interviewed Ozzy Osborn
Haven’t been clean shaven in over 20 years
Avid Golfer, not good, just avid
Me and Toast Willy