Elizabeth Ahern’s career reads like a marketer’s dream, leading major campaigns for Red Bull, Carvana, and Chamberlain Coffee — but the way she got there was anything but traditional. In this candid conversation, Liz opens up about her unplanned journey to Harvard, navigating culture shock, and finding her place in high-pressure environments. She shares the pivotal moments that shaped her career, from corporate boardrooms to startup hustle, and the strategies that made her a sought-after brand leader.
We talk career pivots, leading with purpose, building brands that resonate, and the marketing plays that actually work. Liz is generous with her knowledge, raw about the challenges, and honest about how career ambitions shift at different points in life. If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out, adapt, and thrive in a constantly changing landscape, this episode is your masterclass.
Listen to the episode
What you’ll learn
Why brand strategy starts with empathy, not just visuals
How Liz navigated early rejections and created her own opportunities
The difference between mentors and sponsors, and why both matter
What working with Emma Chamberlain taught her about influencer-led brands
How motherhood reshaped her time, ambition, and sense of purpose
The art of pitching yourself—and trusting that the right people will say yes
Favorite Quote
“You can’t hurt the world or seriously distress her. It was made to be wooed and won by youth.”
— Winston Churchill
Favorite Book
📖 Unleashed by Frances Frei & Anne Morriss
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introduction to Liz Ahern
(05:00) Growing up between San Diego and Boston
(12:00) Harvard, imposter syndrome, and learning to trust herself
(20:00) Internships, rejection from Bain, and discovering marketing
(28:00) Red Bull, mentorship, and building brand magic
(37:00) Business school, confidence, and leadership growth
(44:00) Gender, imposter syndrome, and being your own advocate
(53:00) Chamberlain Coffee, influencer marketing, and startup life
(01:00:00) New motherhood, time boundaries, and career reinvention
(01:07:00) Quote & book
(01:08:00) Where to find Liz
Where to find Liz Ahern
Referenced in this episode
Liz generously shares some of the tools, programs, and platforms that shaped her journey:
