Hanson Dodge Chief Strategy Officer Mike Stefaniak Retires After 30 Years

​Mike Stefaniak, chief strategy officer at independent agency Hanson Dodge (HD), will be retiring at the end of the month. His decision closes the chapter on the 32-year career in advertising for the executive, the last 16 of which were spent in various roles at HD, from vice president of client leadership and senior brand strategist to, ultimately, chief strategy officer for the past 10 years.

Mike’s contributions to clients and the industry have been formidable. Over the course of his career, he’s led strategy initiatives for more than 125 B2B and B2C brands. He helped start and build out HD’s digital strategy, performance marketing and branding practices – factors that have contributed to the agency’s multiple marketing awards and agency of the year recognitions. He served on the National Board of Directors for the Business Marketing Association (now ANA Business Marketing), and has been active in the 4As Strategy Committee. He also served as an adjunct professor at Marquette University, where he created and taught a graduate course on brand strategy. But perhaps, best of all, Mike is highly regarded for being a role model and mentor to countless young people within the industry, including colleagues, interns, students and clients.

“Mike lives by our agency mantra, ‘Helping good people and clients to make the next great leap,’” said Stacie Boney, president of Hanson Dodge who has worked beside Mike for nearly a decade. “He’s usually the first one in the office; and the meatier the client business challenge the more energised Mike is to help clients overcome it. Mike exemplifies what it is to be a proactive, true business partner to our clients. That is his legacy,” Stacie added, “In typical Mike style, this is a decision that has been well planned by him: his last day will be June 24 – exactly 16 years since he first joined Hanson Dodge. I know I speak for all HDers as well as his clients when I say thank you, Mike, for your contributions, collaboration and fun. You will be missed. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement.”

Mike commented, “It’s been a privilege to be part of Hanson Dodge for so long, and to work with so many talented people and remarkable clients along the way. I’m proud of what we’ve built together, grateful for the friends made and lessons learned, and excited to see where the agency goes next.”

HD has no plans to name a direct successor to Mike at this time. Rather, oversight of brand strategy talent will be added to David Pollard's responsibilities as VP, client leadership and strategy.