Rian Chandler-Dovis

What is your role at Brand Federation?

I am a Managing Partner, overseeing research and managing our strategy and project management teams.

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What work are you doing now and what about it inspires you?

I am inspired by every one of our clients — whether they are supporting local business, manufacturing critical PPE products, solving world hunger, or making sure every child has access to a quality and caring education, we work with some of the best organizations in the world. And I am also incredibly inspired by our people. We are committed to the philosophy that when people are living their best life, they can do their best work. Seeing that philosophy come to life every day gets me out of bed in the morning.

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What superpower do you bring your clients and colleagues?

I think my superpower is often seeing the nuance in a situation without losing sight of clarity and simplicity. That’s why I love research—through research, we can uncover the context and details that bring our work to life.

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Why did you join the Brand Federation team?

I joined because I believed in Kelly and his vision, and I knew he would put together an amazing team of smart, kind folks to bring that vision to life.

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Having moved to Mexico from Virginia last year, you’re proof that great work isn’t tied to an office or even a country. How has life outside the US changed your perspective?

My job is deeply rooted in understanding human behavior and culture, and there is no better way to pull back the veil on your own biases and behaviors than immersion in a new culture. From that perspective, I feel like I am developing a much stronger grasp of some of the beliefs and behaviors that I was blind to before I left Virginia. But beyond that, I am living my best life—which means I am more energized and fulfilled in my work, too.

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Have you read a book (or seen a movie, or listened to a podcast) lately that you’d recommend?

I read a lot because I live that beach life... So far this year, my favorites have been There, There by Tommy Orange, A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende, and The Overstory by Richard Powers.

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What gets your energy and time outside of work?

My kids, for sure, and my husband sometimes :-). I am also a big fan of my fur baby, a baja dog named Tule. I like taking photos and have a few Insta accounts for sharing day-to-day captures. And I love to paint, read, hike, snorkel and just sit on the beach.