Ambition, Motherhood, and the Chairmom Mindset - E62

What if the key to balancing work and life isn’t balancing at all? Rei speaks with Merlee Jayme, a distinguished creative leader from the Philippines, to explore the integration of work and life for success, a strategy honed by Merlee throughout her illustrious career in the creative industry. Her unique approach has not only made her a role model in her field but also provides valuable insights for anyone struggling with the perennial challenge of work-life balance.

Throughout the discussion, Merlee shares personal anecdotes and practical advice on how to seamlessly integrate professional ambitions with familial responsibilities. She reflects on the title she chose, “Chairmom,” which embodies her dedication to leading her agency and nurturing her family simultaneously.

2025 ADFEST LOTUS LEGEND Merlee has dedicated her life to pushing creativity forward.

She is the Chairmom® and founder of The Misfits Camp, the first-ever safe space in the world to assess and upskill neurodivergent and deaf creative adults and bridge them to the creative industry.

And just this year, she founded Jayme Headquarters, a social enterprise creative agency that provides actual workplace experience for divergent creatives.

Before this, Merlee was an advertising veteran and a creative leader. She was Dentsu

McGarryBowen Global co-president and led Dentsu International APAC as Chief Creative Officer to greater heights by winning the Adfest Network of the Year 2020 and 2022, Spikes Network of the Year 2021, Cannes Lions Regional Network of the Year 2021, and AD STARS Network of the Year 2021.

Her work pushes Insights and innovation and inspires creative collaboration.

Having received major awards, including the Philippines’ only Cannes Lions Grand Prix, she was one of the eight women in the world’s top 100 Chief Creative Officers according to the 2019 Drum Global Ranking.

The first Filipino to be named Creative of the Year in Southeast Asia by Campaign Asia, she was also recognized with the 4As of the Philippines Lifetime Achievement Awardee in 2023, the Hall of Fame Award by the 4As Creative Guild, The New York Festivals Creative Achievement Award, and the CEO of the Year by the International Association of Business Communicators, the Asian Marketing Federation Woman Marketer of the Year 2019, and the Campaign Asia’s Women Leading Change Women’s Advancement Champion for her creative work for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in 2024.

Merlee is one of CNN’s Leading Women, the author/illustrator of four creative books, the mom of four creative women, and an inspiration for breaking the glass ceiling in this mad men’s world.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Balancing Work and Life Through the Chair Mom Leadership
• 4:54 Integrating Career Ambition and Motherhood Seamlessly
• 7:40 Balancing Professional Duties and Personal Life Seamlessly
• 9:26 Balancing Motherhood and a Creative Career in Advertising
• 11:11 Balancing Motherhood and Ambition in Leadership Roles
• 14:26 Balancing Career, Family, and Gender Roles in Marriage
• 17:33 A Calm Response to a Terrifying Carjacking Incident
• 20:37 Balancing Creativity, Respect, and Instinct in Marriage
• 23:42 Creative Solutions to Overcome Bullying and Boost Confidence
• 25:34 Balancing Family and Career in the Advertising World
• 29:24 Balancing Ambitions and Family Life for Women
• 31:25 Integrating Work and Life for Seamless Success

Episode References:

• Merlee Jayme | TikTok
• Merlee Jayme | LinkedIn
• Merlee Jayme | Facebook
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

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