Episode 20 | From Oprah Winfrey Network to The League: Dana Bontemps on Redefining Success, Social Impact, and Storytelling That Matters
What does it really mean to build a career that blends purpose, performance, and personal truth?
In this episode of the Marketing Your Way Podcast, I sit down with Dana Bontemps, award-winning marketing leader and Chief Marketing Officer at The League. Dana has spent more than 20 years creating campaigns rooted in culture and impact, with leadership roles at VaynerMedia, Starcom/MediaVest, and as Head of Integrated Marketing at OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. Her work has earned Anthem, Effie, and even Daytime Emmy Awards — proof that storytelling can be both human and results-driven.
Dana opens up about redefining success through different seasons of life, her lessons from Oprah’s team, and why your lived experience is your edge in today’s automated world.
5 Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Your lived experience is your edge. In an automated, fast-paced world, your unique background and perspective are what set you apart as a leader and creative.
Success doesn’t have to be linear. Dana shares how detours — from taking career breaks to shifting industries — became defining opportunities.
Lessons from Oprah. Working at OWN taught Dana the power of curiosity, intentional storytelling, and always asking: why does this story matter?
Culture drives change. At The League, Dana shows how civic education and social impact campaigns become effective when they tap into culture, fandom, and trusted messengers.
Lead with kindness and curiosity. Soft skills, human connection, and a willingness to learn are just as essential as strategy in building strong teams and lasting impact.
Whether you’re in corporate marketing, dreaming about your next chapter, or already building something of your own, Dana’s perspective is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t have to be linear — and that the very things that make you different are what make you valuable.
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Join the Marketing Your Way Community
AI and automation are changing marketing faster than ever — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s why I created the Marketing Your Way Community on Slack: a free space where women in marketing can share AI tools, swap automation workflows, and run ideas past each other.
Whether you’re leading a corporate team, running an agency, or freelancing on your own, you’ll find support, inspiration, and real-world examples you can put into action right away.
It’s free, it’s collaborative, and it’s built to help you work smarter, not harder. Join us here: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/community
Thank you to our affiliate partners:
✔️ Make.com lets you connect the apps you already use — like Gmail, Airtable, Slack, or Canva — and build automations that run on autopilot. Think: new client signs a contract, and instantly their info gets added to your CRM, a welcome email goes out, and a Slack notification pings your team — all without you lifting a finger.
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Hi, I’m Anastasiia!
Ukrainian-born, Miami-based, and someone who spent over a decade building a successful marketing career before finally building something that felt like mine.
I didn’t leave corporate on a whim. I left because I wanted creative freedom, flexible time, and a business that aligned with my life — not the other way around.
It started as a freelance gig. Then a full roster. Then a boutique real estate marketing agency. Now, it’s also this — an education platform and podcast that helps women like you transition from “stuck” to “started.”
I’m here to teach you how to build a business that fits your goals, your energy, and your version of success.