In our Headliners series of conversations, we get under the skin of PR and communications leaders around the world who have made PRovoke Media headlines recently, uncovering the risks they have taken in their career, the people, brands and work they admire, their advice for industry newbies, and their guilty pleasures.

In this week's Q&A, we speak to Stephanie Marchesi, We.Communications' global health president, who has been elevated to be the agency's new EMEA president. 

What’s the biggest career risk you’ve ever taken? How did it work out?

Joining We. Communications to stand up its NA health sector was definitely my biggest career risk. Prior to We., I worked at five of the largest public relations firms and progressed from one level to the next, taking on incremental and broader responsibilities as I moved up. I could always see what was coming next. But, when I joined We., I became a true intrapreneur, having signed on to build a business from its nascence. I had to evolve my perspective, ways of working, and be brave in ways I had never needed until that point. The outcome has been far more gratifying than I anticipated, and particularly rewarding due to the industry recognition our people, our work and our sector have received.

What's the biggest creative risk you've ever taken?

I believe the most powerful ideas are those that start from a simple concept yet gain traction over time. For me, this was earlier in my career when I had the opportunity to lead the agency account team responsible for introducing the condition “obsessive compulsive disorder” (OCD) to the world. Until then, no one had a name for these intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Doctors didn’t recognize it as a medical condition, and there were no treatments available. Patients suffered in shame and silence. With the first treatment on the horizon, the time had come to bring OCD out into the open and provide a name and explanation. Brave patients shared their stories for the first time, giving the world a glimpse into these exquisitely private lives. Media were captivated. The impact exceeded nearly anything I have worked on since. Today OCD is a household term. Celebrities openly share their struggles. Script writers incorporate OCD into storylines. But, I remember, not that long ago, when this wasn’t the case. 

What do you think are the most important character traits for a great PR person?

Perspective. Everything starts with an informed perspective. As a communications consultant you need to intentionally look at the big picture, ask the right questions, assess what you are seeing, determine what it means, and figure out how to move forward to help your clients solve their business problems.

Listening. We are consultants, and clients pay to hear our perspective. But being a good consultant starts with being a good listener. Listening to your colleagues, to your clients, to the world around you. Listening to what is said, and more importantly, to what is not being said.

Balance. People who excel in communications are able to juggle many work streams, projects, and lines of thought at the same time. The career is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy having a wide range of responsibilities, and working at a faster pace, it can be invigorating.

Which company or organization do you most admire in terms of PR, branding or reputation management?

I admire when a company is not afraid to put its product or technology to the test, for all the world to see. It speaks volumes about its bravery, boldness, and belief in its product. With this in mind, I love the work We. Communications did in 2024 (and again in 2025) with Columbia Sportswear leveraging a partnership with NASA to take Columbia’s Omni-Heat Infinity, heat reflective technology, to the moon for the first U.S. lunar landing in 50 years. This high-stakes collaboration put Columbia’s product to the test and demonstrated it could effectively insulate the Nova-C lunar lander against the harshest temperatures in space and therefore could certainly keep humans warm and dry in the harshest climates on earth.

Which individual, in any field, do you think exemplifies outstanding leadership or communication skills?

I am a fan girl of my friend Kami Rita Sherpa. Kami is a 55-year-old Nepalese climbing guide who holds the world record for summiting Mount Everest. Just this past week he summited again, for the 31st time, breaking his own record. Kami left school at 12 years old to earn money for his family by literally climbing the mountaineering career ladder. Everything he has learned about leadership he’s learned on the mountains. Today he is one of the most sought-after guides in the world because of his ability to safely and successfully get his clients to the summit.

Last year he guided my husband and I to Everest Base Camp. We experienced his leadership style firsthand. First, he is incredibly humble despite his celebrity, never taking his focus off you. He puts one foot in front of the other just like everyone else, though with much greater ease. Second, he tunes into his clients to understand where they are and what it will take to help them reach their goal, adjusting in real time to increase the odds of success. Third, Kami coaches consistently and quietly, with encouragement and support, helping you overcome fear and find strength and confidence you never knew you had, all in service of helping you reach your potential.

What's the best campaign you've seen recently?

Great work to me is when my immediate reaction is, “I wish I had done that.” I was awe struck to see Pfizer’s work during the pandemic to educate rural communities in China about the importance of maternity testing, vaccinations, hand-washing, mask-wearing and a balanced diet. Drones were used to put on light shows in the sky, creating shapes to depict these healthy behaviors. This was a brilliant, simple, and captivating way to use advanced technology to effectively educate people, while also working to reduce disparities in healthcare.

Is there an industry trend or discussion you think is over-rated or exaggerated or just plain stupid?

I don’t tend to get alarmed by change happening around us, whether that be increased client demands, shorter deadlines, reduced budgets, new trends, the advent of AI, economic pressures challenging our business daily, or political instability challenging world order. After decades in this business, I have learned that change is constant. There are always new trends, an evolution occurring or transformation taking place that impacts our business. Some stick. Others slip away. Many aren’t as bad or disruptive as we anticipate. Yet others create sea change. I tend to embrace change rather than fear it. If you get smart, break it down and work through it step by step, you can evaluate the true impact and navigate your way forward. Part of the draw of our business is not knowing what each day brings. That’s what keeps it interesting for me.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to someone entering the PR industry today?

My primary advice for people entering this field is build, nurture and leverage your network. Meet people. Link in with them. Follow up. Stay in touch. Amplify their content. Find reasons to reach out, even to say hello. There is no guarantee if or when the contact will be able to help you or if you will be able to lend help. But if asked, do what you can. It is these small favors, impromptu reconnections, that pay off in the long term. Look at your network as a personal savings account.

What's your guilty pleasure when you need to unwind from the high pressure of PR?

I have an on switch and off switch. When I am working, I’m all in until the job is done. But, when I’m able to turn off, I do so. I find the ability to step away, regroup by focusing on my family, my home, yoga, hiking, cooking, sleeping, binging the latest television show, or traveling allows me to clear my mind and return to work refreshed and ready to focus yet again. It goes back to my point on perspective: If you never step away, you fail to gather outside perspective that helps you be better in your job and life.