297. Purpose Over Panic, with Lindsey DeWitte

Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek is joined by Lindsey DeWitte. Lindsey is Chief Impact Officer at BarkleyOKRP, one of the largest independent agencies in the country. 

With economic and political headwinds reshaping the landscape, agency leaders are being called to step up in new ways, as steady hands for their clients and as champions of meaningful, values-driven work. 

Lindsey shares why she remains optimistic about the future, how BarkleyOKRP approaches purpose-driven work as a certified B Corp, and offers practical guidance for navigating client relationships and team dynamics in turbulent times. If you’ve wondered how to keep your agency focused, resilient, and true to its values when everything feels in flux, this episode is for you.

What you will learn in this episode: 

• How purpose-driven agencies can navigate economic and political uncertainty without losing sight of their core values

• Strategies for guiding clients through shifts in societal tone and consumer expectations

• The critical role of transparency, DEI, and sustainability in building resilient agency cultures

• Practical approaches to restarting and deepening client conversations during periods of rapid change

• The increasing importance of risk assessment for agency and client stability

• The shifting landscape for independent agencies and what the next 12 months could hold for the industry

Lindsey DeWitte is President of PR and EVP of Purpose+Sustainability at Barkley, one of the largest independent creative idea companies in the U.S. Helping brands define, live and share their brand purpose has been a common thread in her work for brands, corporate foundations and NGOs like Estee Lauder, Kohl’s, Lee Jeans, the Staples Foundation, March of Dimes and Susan G. Komen and Fruit of the Loom, Inc. 

Lindsey has helped build a sought-after purpose practice at Barkley due to her team’s integrated approach of elevating corporate initiatives, pulling purpose back into the brand DNA and creating sustainability strategies that mobilize both internal and external audiences. She was an integral part of Barkley becoming a Certified B Corporation™, a designation that complements what Barkley already does for clients — helping them build "whole brands."

Resources:

• Website: https://www.barkleyus.com/

• LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseydewitte/

• LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barkley-okrp/