GPJ’s Rising Stars come from every corner of our global network, bringing unique perspectives, experiences, and leadership styles to the work we create. In this installment of our three-part series, we’re spotlighting Jo Xia in Shanghai, Hadley Cook in Boston, and Glenn Whitehead in Sydney. From building trusted client partnerships to mentoring teams and bringing bold creative ideas to life, their stories showcase the many ways they’ve impacted the future of GPJ.
JO XIA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
GPJ SHANGHAI
Congratulations on being selected as a Rising Star, Jo! Let’s get to know you—tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi, I’m Jo Xia, Executive Director in Account Management based in the Shanghai office. This year marks my 11th year in the company, and I’ve learned that strong connection and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.
Fun fact: I really value quiet, active moments like walking, badminton, and Pilates—they help me reset and stay grounded.
Thank you for over a decade of amazing work, Jo. We’re grateful to have you! Digging into your title a bit more, can you fill us in on what your job entails and what makes you so passionate about your position?
In my role, I lead client relationships and guide teams to deliver work that is both strategically strong and operationally seamless. It involves balancing multiple perspectives, driving alignment, and making sure we stay focused on what truly matters.
I’m particularly passionate about creating clarity and trust in complex situations. Helping teams move forward with confidence and building long-term partnerships with clients is what makes this role meaningful to me.
It sounds like you’re the steady rock of your team, acting as a foundation no matter how intricate a project may get. That’s something to be proud of. Thinking back on your eleven years with GPJ, what experience or project of yours are you most proud of?
When I think back on my time with GPJ, the project I’m most proud of is HUAWEI CONNECT. I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in this project since my first year at the company, and this year marks our 11th year supporting the client.
What makes it truly meaningful is not just the scale or longevity, but the trust and partnership we’ve built over time. It’s been a journey of growing together—with strong collaboration, mutual support, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.
Seeing how both the client relationship and our team have evolved over the years makes this experience especially rewarding.
Success is a team effort. Our experiences are as memorable as they are because they’re the product of many brilliant minds and their unique perspectives coming together to make it all possible. So tell us, Jo—what’s one belief or mindset that’s helped you grow in your career?
One belief that has guided my growth is that success is a collective effort.
I’ve always believed in growing with others—through collaboration, mutual support, and building trust over time. That mindset has shaped how I work with both clients and teams.
And last but certainly not least, what’s one word that describes the work you create?
Collaborative — because I believe the best work is built on trust, strong partnerships, and collective effort.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Jo. We’re so lucky to have you on our team!
HADLEY COOK
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY
GPJ BOSTON
Congratulations on being selected as a Rising Star, Hadley! Let’s get to know you—tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi! My name is Hadley Cook, and I am an Associate Director of Strategy out of our Boston office. A quick fun fact about me…I just got married and am fresh off my honeymoon!
Another congratulations is in order! We hope you had the best time celebrating! As you transition back into the office, give us a refresher—what does your job entail? What makes you so passionate about your position?
My role is centered on thoughtful leadership and strategic guidance. As an Associate Director, I serve as a bridge between our junior strategists and senior leadership, helping ensure ideas, insights, and opportunities move seamlessly across the team. In addition to leading strategy for several major proprietary events, I spend a significant amount of time collaborating across disciplines, navigating complex client and business needs, and mentoring team members.
What makes me passionate about this position is the opportunity to have an impact at multiple levels. I get to shape meaningful strategic work while also investing in the growth and development of others. Seeing team members build confidence, expand their skills, and contribute in new ways is incredibly rewarding, and it’s one of the aspects of the role I value most.
It sounds like you have a knack for collaboration and connecting the dots even when they may not be the most visible to others. That’s exactly the kind of mindset that makes a strategist dangerous. Speaking of shaping meaningful work, is there anything else you hope to help shape at GPJ over the next few years?
I hope to help shape the future of GPJ by influencing the types of opportunities we pursue and the work we bring in. There are so many exciting possibilities ahead, and I’d love to be part of the team that helps expand our portfolio through new clients, new industries, and new territories. The opportunity to help open those doors for the agency while continuing to deliver impactful work is something that really excites me.
Let’s help open those doors for the next generation of rising stars—what advice would you give to someone who is hoping to achieve Rising Star status in the coming years?
Raise your hand and pursue opportunities that genuinely excite you. When you’re passionate about the work, you’re more likely to bring your authentic self to the table, take initiative, and go the extra mile. That energy is contagious—it inspires stronger collaboration, better ideas, and ultimately better outcomes.
I’d also encourage people not to wait until they feel completely ready. Some of the most meaningful growth comes from stepping into new challenges and embracing opportunities that stretch you. When you combine curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn, you’re setting yourself up to make an impact, and that’s what people remember.
Fantastic answer, Hadley. Reflecting on your time with GPJ, we’re curious—what’s one belief or mindset that’s helped you grow in your career?
My biggest mindset shift has been realizing that it’s not that serious! Of course our work matters, and we want to deliver exceptional experiences, but at the end of the day, we’re not doing heart surgery. Experiential should be fun!
Reminding myself of that has given me the confidence to take chances, embrace challenges, and not get stuck striving for perfection. When you allow yourself to enjoy the process, you’re often able to do your best work—and that’s been a huge contributor to my growth.
Let’s end on a fun one—what’s one word that describes the work you create?
Intentional.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Hadley. We’re so lucky to have you on our team!
GLENN WHITEHEAD
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GPJ SYDNEY
Congratulations on being selected as a Rising Star, Glenn! Let’s get to know you—tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m Glenn Whitehead, Creative Director from GPJ Sydney. Fun fact about me—I quit studying Industrial Design to pursue Graphic Design, only to come full circle, combining both skills (and more) as an Experience Design creative.
We’re glad you found Experience Design and were able to combine those skills into one powerful toolkit. Diving into your title a bit more, what does your position as a Creative Director entail? What makes you so passionate about your role?
I feel like the role of a Creative Director varies depending on where you are and the scope of the project. In simple terms, the role is about connecting a strategic view to a creative output, but the reality can see you designing, writing, presenting ideas, exploring new technology, or directing a shoot. It’s a job that can, at times, be a bit of an adventure filled with uncertainty, but equally rewarding when you see an idea come to life and create a human connection.
That’s great insight into the level of collaboration needed to pull off the kinds of events we do—it requires curiosity that has you stepping outside of your department. Thinking back on all of those adventures, what experience or project of yours are you most proud of?
That’s a tough question given how many projects have passed across my desk. One that will always stand out will be a job for St John Ambulance that evolved—but never lost—the core idea. The brief began as an event celebrating staff and volunteers and ended as a content piece due to external factors.
The idea was to take personal statements that recount on-the-job experiences and create a performance piece expressing how it’s the people that are the heart of the organisation. The performance evolved into a script and was beautifully produced by really talented GPJers, creating an emotionally impactful piece for our audience. Any opportunity to create something that connects in such a personal way is sure to create a lasting memory.
Sometimes, we have to have the trust to allow a project to evolve into what it was meant to be. It sounds like you did just that! Speaking of evolving, what advice would you give to someone who is hoping to achieve Rising Star status in the coming years?
I was surprised to be accepted, to be honest, but I guess you need to show up in a way that makes a difference for those you work with. Everyone I’ve met as part of this experience had an attitude and a focus on “how can I get this done”. There is very little belief that something cannot be done. That sense of ownership and commitment is inspiring to others.
Great advice, Glenn. Committing to that can-do attitude is exactly what gives our teams the ability to create these experiences. Has there been a moment at GPJ where you realized you were capable of more than you originally thought?
I was pretty new to the scale and level of experiences GPJ created when I joined almost 8 years ago.
It was a steep learning curve, but once the first project was wrapped and I took stock of what we had created, the opportunity became apparent. This still happens all these years later, as we continue to push new boundaries with new technologies and new clients.
Let’s end on a fun one—what’s one word that describes the work you create?
I’d probably say Inspired. Ultimately, every idea is born from a collection of references that you pick up as you go through life, which is why curiosity is so important.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Glenn. We’re so lucky to have you on our team!
Through collaboration, intentionality, or creative inspiration, Jo, Hadley, and Glenn’s experiences remind us that meaningful work is built through curiosity, trust, and a commitment to continuous growth. Curious for more? Meet more Rising Stars in Part 1 and stay tuned for the final chapter of our Rising Stars series, where we’ll introduce the next group of GPJers helping shape the future of our business and industry.
