ADWEEK’s inaugural Architects of Culture award celebrates senior leadership across the marketing, advertising, and technology industries who are actively creating environments where talent can learn, thrive, and make an impact.
Whether through a traditional human resources role or as an executive who leads by example, these professionals are building resourceful, empathetic workplaces that value the employees helping them rise to the top.
Julie Kirkham — GM of Learning & Development, The Trade Desk
People lead better when they feel connected and prepared, an insight that led The Trade Desk’s Julie Kirkham to build Lead Well, a global leadership program shaped by 2,000 insights from managers across 36 offices. These practical, peer-led learning sessions reached nearly half the company in 2025 and met real business challenges head-on, with 90% of participants reporting confidence about applying the takeaways immediately. Her team even turned feedback training into a puppet-powered video series that sparked Slack fandom and real behavior change. With measurable lifts in engagement and career confidence, Kirkham was instrumental to The Trade Desk’s inclusion on America’s Growth Leaders of 2026 by Time magazine.