KAWA
Partner and CCO at Speakeasy - Knowledge Brokers
Thanks for stopping by :)
I’m a creative director and designer with over two decades of global experience, blending strategy and creativity to deliver impactful, award-winning campaigns. Recognized as the 3rd most awarded ECD in North America (2022) and among the Top 30 globally (D&AD Awards 2022), my work spans industries and markets, building connections through culturally resonant storytelling and innovative ideas.
Today, I’m a partner and CCO at Speakeasy – Knowledge Brokers, where we offer an innovative model for generating brand strategies in the contemporary creative economy. Through a global network of seasoned creatives, strategists, designers, and innovators, we connect, engage, and curate cutting-edge thinking to deliver exceptional solutions.
As a leader, I thrive on fostering collaboration, empowering high-performing teams, and turning complex challenges into meaningful results. From integrated campaigns to digital-first strategies, I focus on creating work that inspires, engages, and drives measurable success.
Take a look around, and feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect!
AWARDS
HIGHLIGHTS
#1 US Agency (Area23) by The Drum World Creative Rankings 2023
#21 Most-awarded ECD in the world by The Drum 2023
#4 World’s Most Awarded Campaign in Health & Beauty by AdForum 2022 (Boehringer’s Unwearable Collection)
"Top 2 Health & Wellness campaign - Advertising Health Report 2022 - Social Bullets"
"Top 1 Pharma campaign - Advertising Health Report 2022 - The Unwearable Collection"
"Top 10 Most Awarded Campaigns" by Creativity Awards Report for Volkswagen Trucks
"Top 10 Most Awarded Ads" by Gunn Report for Akatu Favela Ad
"Top 20 Most Awarded Campaigns" by Gunn Report for Pedigree
"Most Awarded Art Director" by The Brazilian Advertising Festival
CANNES LIONS
2023 / BRONZE PUBLISHING / Publications / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: UFCSPA
2022 / BRONZE OUTDOOR / Live ad and Events / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Boheringer Ingelheim
2022 / SILVER LION MEDIA / Consumer Services / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / BRONZE LION BRAND EXP & ACT / Cult & Context / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2021 / SILVER LION PR / Media&Entertainment / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2021 / SILVER LION PRINT / Media&Entertainment / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2021 / BRONZE LION DESIGN / Design effectiveness / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2021 / BRONZE LION DIRECT / Use of Print / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2021 / BRONZE LION HEALTH / Non-Profit Awareness / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2015 / SILVER LION FILM CRAFT / Customized Film / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: MAN Latin America
2015 / BRONZE LION OUTDOOR / Church / Carpet / Car / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Aspirina / Bayer
2015 / BRONZE LION PRESS / Ice cream store / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: MAN Latin America
2014 / BRONZE LION OUTDOOR / Bottle / Stick / Suicidal / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Mars Brazil
2013 / BRONZE LION OUTDOOR / Wheel / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Gol Linhas Aereas
2008 / SILVER LION PRESS / Egg / Fruit Box / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
2008 / BRONZE LION FILM / Boxes / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
2008 / SILVER LION OUTDOOR / Egg / Fruit Box / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
2008 / BRONZE LION PRESS / Dog/ Bird / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen
2004 / GOLD LION PRESS / Favela / Agency : Leo Burnett / Client: Akatu
+37 CANNES SHORTLISTS
ONE SHOW
2023 / SILVER HEALTH&WELLNESS/ Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2023 / SILVER PHARMA CRAFT/ Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2023 / SILVER PHARMA EXPERIENCIAL/ Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2022 / GOLD EDITORIAL / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / GOLD PRINT / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / GOLD INNOVATION IN PRINT / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / BRONZE DIRECT / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / SILVER CREATIVE USE OF DATA IN HEALTH / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2022 / SILVER CREATIVE USE OF DATA IN SOCIAL MEDIA / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2022 / BRONZE CRAFT & ART DIRECTION / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2014 / SILVER PENCIL FILM / Distraction / Agency : AlmapBBDO Sao Paulo / Client: Volkswagen Do Brasil
2009 / BRONZE PENCIL - Campaign / Volkswagen Customized Trucks / Agency : AlmapBBDO Sao Paulo / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
2005 / SILVER PENCIL OUTDOOR / Favela/ Agency : Leo Burnett / Client: Akatu
+36 ONE SHOW MERITS
D&AD
2022 / YELLOW PENCIL SPACIAL DESIGN / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2022 /GRAPHITE PENCIL PRINT OOH / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Journalism Review
2022 / WOOD PENCIL DESIGN / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Journalism Review
2022 / WOOD PENCIL DIGITAL / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2016 / WOOD PENCIL / Tailor Made - Crafts/Photography for Advertising / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
2014 / WOOD PENCIL / Authorized Services - Press Advertising Campaign / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen
2009 / WOOD PENCIL / Volkswagen Customized Trucks - Poster Advertising Campaign / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
2009 / WOOD PENCIL / Volkswagen Customized Trucks - Photography Advertising / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
2009 / WOOD PENCIL / Volkswagen Customized Trucks - Magazine Press Advertising Campaign / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
+4 IN BOOKS
CLIO
2023 / GOLD COLLAB / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2023 / SILVER FASHION&BEAUTY / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2022 / GRAND CLIO EXP & ACTIV / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / GOLD DESIGN / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / GOLD DIRECT / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / SILVER DESIGN TYPE / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / BRONZE CREATIVE EFFECT / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / BRONZE PR / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / SILVER OOH / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent Kazoo
2022 / BRONZE OOH / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent Kazoo
2022 / BRONZE PRINT / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent Kazoo
2022 / BRONZE CREATIVE DATA / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent Kazoo
2015 / BRONZE PRINT / Ice Cream Store / Agency : AlmapBBDO / Client: MAN Latin America
2009 / GOLD PRINT / Volkswagen Customized Trucks - Campaign / Agency : AlmapBBDO Sao Paulo / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
2009 / SILVER POSTER / Volkswagen Customized Trucks - Campaign / Agency : AlmapBBDO Sao Paulo / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
2007 / BRONZE INNOVATIVE MEDIA / Want to Learn More? / Agency : AlmapBBDO Sao Paulo / Client: EPA
2005 / GOLD PRINT / Favela / Agency : Leo Burnett / Client: Akatu
ART DIRECTORS CLUB
2023 / GOLD APPAREL DESIGN / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2023 / SILVER PHOTO FASHION / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2021 / GOLD ADVERTISING: INNOVATION&PRESS / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2021 / GOLD DESIGN: DESIGN FOR GOOD / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2021 / SILVER DESIGN: TYPOGRAPHY / Agency : Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2009 / SILVER DESIGN: BRAND IDENTITY / Agency : Mohallem Artplan / Client: SmartBuy Wines
LONDON INTERNATIONAL AWARDS: LIA
2022 / GRAND LIA CRAFT / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2022 / GOLD PHARMA: PRODUTION DESIGN / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2022 / GOLD DIRECT / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / GOLD HEALTH: DATA / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2022 / GOLD HEALTH: SOCIAL RESP / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2022 / GOLD PHARMA: ART DIRECTION / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2022 / SILVER ACTIVATION: MEDIA / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / SILVER ACTIVATION: ZEIGTGEIST / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / SILVER HEALTH: SOCIAL RESP / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2022 / SILVER HEALTH: CRAFT / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2022 / SILVER PHARMA / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2022 / SILVER PRINT: SOCIAL RESP / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: The Columbia Jornalism Review
2022 / BRONZE DATA VIS / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2022 / BRONZE DESIGN: SOCIAL RESP. / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2022 / BRONZE HEALTH: CRAFT / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Stand for the Silent & Kazoo
2022 / BRONZE PHARMA / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2022 / BRONZE PHARMA: PHOTOGRAPHY / Agency: Area23 NY / Client: Boehringer Ingelheim
2012 / SILVER DIRECT / Agency: AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen Trucks
2012 / BRONZE PRINT / Agency: AlmapBBDO / Client: Volkswagen Trucks