DURRIYA KISAT GUNJA
.......... EXECUTIVE PROFILE • OPEN TO FULL-TIME
Where Brand Becomes Business Value
VP-level executive with 20+ years architecting brands, marketing systems, and creative ecosystems across retail, SaaS, healthcare, and entertainment — with the strategic, creative, and technological range to lead at every altitude.
B2B TECHNOLOGY AND SAAS
01
CDK GLOBAL
WELLNOW · ASPEN GROUP
HEALTHCARE & REGULATED
02
03
ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA
REDBOX · CSS ENTERTAINMENT
04
RETAIL & CONSUMER
OFFICEMAX · OFFICEDEPOT
MIT HCI/UX CERTIFIED
AI-POWERED MARKETING
05
THE POSITION ..........
Creative. Strategic. Technical. Rarely all three.
Most executive searches separate creative direction from brand strategy from technology. I don't. I've spent 20+ years operating at the intersection — building the emotional architecture of a brand, the revenue machinery behind it, and the digital systems that scale it.
Whether the title is Chief Marketing Officer, Executive Creative Director, VP of Brand, or Head of AI-Enabled Marketing — the role I actually play is the same: I identify the gap between where a brand is and where it could be, and I close it. With strategy, with craft, with accountability to the bottom line.
At Redbox, I built the entire creative studio and navigated the brand through a historic digital transformation. At OfficeMax, I took a private label from 7% to 25% margin. At CDK Global, I generated a 20% lift in sales conversions. At WellNow, I increased digital opt-ins from 10% to 45% in a compliance-constrained environment. The context changes. The approach doesn't.
WHAT I DO ..........
01
Creative Direction
I set the aesthetic standard and protect it. From brand identity and design systems to campaign creative and in-store experience — I direct work that earns attention, builds trust, and earns loyalty over time.
BRAND IDENTITY
ART DIRECTION
CONTENT STRATEGY
DESIGN SYSTEM
CAMPAIGN CREATIVE
03
Technology & AI
I am fluent in the systems that power modern marketing — from martech stacks and AI-assisted creative workflows to digital ecosystem architecture. MIT-certified in HCI/UX. Comfortable in the room where product and brand meet.
AI POWERED MARKETING
UX / HCI
MARKETING STRATEGY
DIGITAL ECOSYTEMS
DATA DRIVEN CREATIVE
02
Brand Strategy
I build brand as a revenue tool, not just a reputation one. Positioning, messaging architecture, demand generation, omni-channel marketing — all designed around a single emotional intent and measured against business outcomes.
POSITIONING
DEMAND GENERATION
B2B • B2C • DTC
GO-TO-MARKET
CRM + LOYALTY
MEASURABLE IMPACT ..........
7% to 25%
PRIVATE LABEL MARGIN LIFT
OFFICEMAX
TUL
20%
SALES CONVERSION LIFT
CDK GLOBAL
TRADESHOW
10% - 45%
DIGITAL OPT-IN
GROWTH
WELLNOW URGENT CARE
23/27
ENTERPRISE PIITCH
WINS
B2B SALES ENABLEMENT
VP, Marketing and Brand
Led brand and communications strategy inside a heavily regulated healthcare environment. Consolidated fragmented communications infrastructure, implemented consent and segmentation systems meeting compliance standards, and grew digital opt-ins from 10% to 45%.
WELLNOW URGENT CARE
// HEALTHCARE
EXPERIENCE ..........
CDK GLOBAL
// B2B SAAS
Sr. Director, Brand Marketing, Creative & Events
Built pitch materials, campaigns, and event presence that moved senior B2B stakeholders to action. Drove 23 wins from 27 enterprise pitches. Trade show activation delivered record client appointments and a 20% lift in sales conversions.
OFFICEMAX / OFFICE DEPOT
// RETAIL & ENTERPRISE B2B
Director, Brand Strategy & Creative
Led brand repositioning at enterprise scale. Launched TUL private label product line, elevating private brand margins from 7% to 25%. Built teams, designed retail concepts, and earned 30+ industry awards including Retail RAMA, Hermes, and Communicator.
VP, Brand & Marketing Creative
Built the in-house creative studio from a single-person operation. Led brand transformation through physical-to-digital pivot, including loyalty programs, IPO positioning, and eventual acquisition. Cut creative costs by 20% while growing output volume.
REDBOX / CSS ENTERTAINMENT
// ENTERTAINMENT
"Brand is not a layer. It is experienced. I build brands by defining emotional intent first, then designing every system around it."
- DURRIYA KISAT GUNJA
FULL CAPABILITIES ..........
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
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Executive Creative Direction
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Brand Identity & Visual Systems
-
Art Direction & Production
-
Packaging & Product Design
-
Retail & Environmental Design
-
Fashion & Lifestyle Design
-
In-House Studio Development
BRAND & MARKETING STRATEGY
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Brand Positioning & Architecture
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Omni-Channel Campaign Strategy
-
Demand Generation (B2B & B2C)
-
Go-To-Market Planning
-
CRM, Loyalty & Retention
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Content Strategy & Storytelling
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Thought Leadership & PR
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
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AI-Powered Marketing Workflows
-
Human-Computer Interaction (MIT)
-
UX Strategy & Digital Experience
-
Martech Stack Optimization
-
Data-Informed Creative Strategy
-
Operations & Project Systems
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Digital Ecosystem Architecture
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
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Cross-Functional Team Building
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P&L Accountability
-
C-Suite Communication
-
Vendor & Agency Management
-
Kellogg MBA — Northwestern
-
Industry Panelist & Speaker
-
Mentor & Organizational Culture
WHAT LEADERS SAY ..........
Durriya brings a holistic, strategic lens to brand expression. She combines creative conviction with business insight, elevating execution to experience. Her perspective is consistently sought out for its clarity, impact, and leadership.
CHUCK LUCKINBILL
VP Visual Merchandising, OfficeMax
Durriya is a rare brand leader who pairs creative excellence with sharp business acumen. She translates brand vision into meaningful business impact while building strong, trusted relationships across teams.
MARY CASPERSON
VP Marketing, OfficeMax
She is without a doubt one of the most talented, professional and personable people I have ever known. Durriya moved quickly up the ranks because she demonstrated remarkable talent and management skills. She is a star.
BOB THACKER
SVP Marketing, OfficeMax
