The Best 2 The Brightest
We’ve been named one of the Best and Brightest Companies for so many consecutive years that we’ve almost lost count. Having such a talented and committed team is something we’re vastly proud of — the Best and Brightest, indeed.
From business building to boating.
With 30+ years of professional experience, George has a thorough understanding of marketing trends and technologies. He has advised growth-minded clients ranging from startups to private equity organizations to Fortune 500 companies. As CEO of Pepper Group, George leads a team of 25 professionals who apply the proprietary Revenue Tower® marketing operating system to execute marketing programs that build lasting enterprise value.
Prior to joining Pepper Group, George began his career in the commercial division of Michelin North America, where he managed key accounts and led marketing and growth initiatives for the commercial truck, construction and mining markets. George is a Past President of the Chicago American Marketing Association, a mentor for multiple startups and serves on the DePaul University Marketing Department Board of Advisors. He has authored several white papers and presented to varied audiences about B2B marketing and business growth. George holds an MBA in Business Strategy and Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a degree in Marketing from the University of Illinois.
George loves to ski in the winter and wakeboard in the summer. He also enjoys foiling and is one of three Taekwondo black belts at Pepper Group. And he’s always happy to share craft olive oil from his family’s groves in Greece.
Marketing suits Jessie to a tee.
Jessie leads our strategy, digital and account service teams. She has developed detailed message strategies and integrated marketing plans for dozens of brands. Her superpower? The ability to quickly grasp the nuances of our clients’ businesses and develop insights that will drive their growth. Her favorite part of her job is helping people — clients and coworkers — shine their brightest.
In addition to her agency background, Jessie has built and led marketing functions for a multinational horticultural company, a tech startup and a national non-profit. She has been told that she is a great client, so she understands what it takes to build strong agency-client partnerships from both sides. Jessie has a BA in Rhetorical Studies from Purdue University and an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University.
Jessie is committed to taking her job seriously without having to be a serious person. She owns more than 100 graphic t-shirts and, every October, wears a different one every day in a celebration she calls “OcTEEber.” She does not own a business suit.
Cindy Wojdyla
Vice President, Creative Director
A mind for business. A hand for art.
Cindy has an uncanny ability to combine two sensibilities — the creatively attuned, aesthetically sensitive and the hard-nosed, business-minded — to create memorable and powerful communication outcomes. She inspires both Pepper Group teammates and clients to see how unexpected approaches can lead to the results everyone is looking for.
Originally intending to be a graphic designer and art director, Cindy found herself first working for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. Then she set off for New York, where she learned the ropes — and how to deal with the knottiest of business and creative problems — at some of the country’s largest and most creatively esteemed advertising agencies. She was drawn back to the Chicago area by the prospect of raising her children around her large Midwestern family while still being able to work freelance in all media for clients large and small.
Being a person who tends to keep to herself (except in meetings, that is), anyone who cares to search for Cindy on Instagram will discover she’s quite an accomplished pastel and watercolor artist.
Aaron rocks out during work and after.
Aaron specializes in building data-driven digital marketing programs that deliver measurable growth. He leads strategy and execution across SEO, paid media, ABM and digital advertising, ensuring clients connect with the right audiences at the right time. With a strong focus on performance analytics and campaign optimization, Aaron helps organizations translate complex marketing challenges into clear, results-oriented strategies.
Aaron has more than 20 years of experience guiding B2B and B2C brands through marketing transformation. He has led digital marketing initiatives for mid-sized companies and enterprise-level organizations across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing and professional services. Prior to joining Pepper Group, Aaron held leadership roles in agencies and in-house marketing teams, overseeing demand generation, campaign strategy and marketing technology integrations.
Outside of work, Aaron enjoys traveling and is passionate about music. He plays and records music as a creative outlet.
A fearless leader (even when faced by a bear).
Nice guys really do finish first. Tim’s roots are in the printing industry, but in 1994, he set out on his own as a marketer and founded Pepper Group. Over the years, Tim has built an award-winning agency that serves a broad variety of B2B businesses, from local manufacturers and trade organizations to Fortune 500 companies. Tim uses both the right and left sides of his brain equally, enjoying the combination of creativity and business sense that comes from guiding clients and leveraging the distinct “spice” that triggers the appetites of audiences. Tim is an active member of numerous Chicago-area and national business organizations.
Tim holds a BS in Design and Visual Communications from Southern Illinois University.
Tim loves to tell stories. If you have time, ask him what it’s like when a grizzly bear intercepts your hike. Apparently, even the bear could tell a nice guy when he saw one.
Lynn Ankele
Production Manager
Lynn excels in finding the new and old.
Lynn has been with Pepper Group for over 25 years, and during that time, she has been involved in almost everything. She coordinates production art, helps navigate client edits on projects, handles quoting and vendor management for production projects, finds promotional opportunities and tradeshow swag and processes all vendor invoices.
Before joining Pepper Group, Lynn worked in the Florida school system, where she ran the front office of a large middle school. She attended the Fort Lauderdale Art Institute for production layout and studied Jewelry and Textile Art at Northern Illinois University.
Lynn searches for mid-century and vintage home goods and sells them on her Etsy store, RusticBuckets.
Erica Dreisbach
Web Developer
Erica is a computer coding poet.
While Erica is a computer programmer specializing in WordPress, she is extremely versatile and can dive into any well-documented framework. Her domain expertise includes speed, security and accessibility.
Erica’s first marketing roles were for non-profit networks of socially responsible business leaders. Upon realizing that her favorite part of the work was to code the organizational newsletter and website, she transitioned to full-time web development.
Erica is a poet and a cartoonist. Her comic about life on Chicago’s Northwest Side, “Independence Parka,” is currently syndicated in multiple community newsletters.
Brian Erickson
Associate Creative Director
Brian likes design, but he loves a challenge.
Brian has a strong foundation in graphic design and a passion for crafting visually compelling brand experiences. With over two decades of hands-on design expertise, Brian bridges the gap between strategic vision and creative execution, leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver campaigns that resonate, inspire and perform.
After beginning his career as an in-house designer for a printing company, Brian transitioned to the music industry, working on projects for artists such as Billy Idol, Spoon, Arcade Fire, and Tegan and Sara. Brian then gained experience doing consumer product packaging design for Aldi and Costco in-house products, as well as other national brands. Brian also worked for the iconic Merchandise Mart, doing show marketing and advertising for their 20+ annual consumer goods-based events. Brian has a Bachelor of Graphic Design (BGD) from the College of Design at North Carolina State University.
Brian thrives on new challenges — whether it’s leaping out of planes, tackling full-scale home renovations, competing in league soccer or piecing together 1,000-piece LEGO® sets with his kids.
McCade Freeman
Web Developer
Web dev with a groove.
McCade has a knack for user experience and an eye for design. Combined with his mathematical mind, these traits allow him to translate designs into the code that makes up a website — both what’s visible on the page and what’s under the hood.
Before joining Pepper Group, McCade honed his skills as a web developer at industrial B2B marketing agencies, developing websites and software solutions to meet clients’ needs. McCade holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Kentucky.
McCade loves music, attending concerts and nursing an ever-growing collection of vinyl records. He also dabbles with composition and production using his own 61-key DAW controller with Ableton Live.
Haily Kaufman
Digital Marketing Manager
Gaining leads. Giving back.
Haily balances strategic vision with hands-on execution, helping clients strengthen their digital presence and connect marketing activities directly to business growth. She also develops lead-nurture campaigns, builds reporting dashboards and helps clients get the most value from their technology platforms.
Haily began her career as a Digital Marketing Specialist, developing a strong foundation in analytics and strategy. She has also held various digital marketing and social media roles, focusing on campaign optimization, performance tracking and client management. Haily has a BA in Advertising and Public Relations from Governors State University.
Haily helps organize Ride4Life, a charity motorcycle event that raises funds for the American Cancer Society. She also enjoys reading and running.
Minji Kim
Graphic Designer
A great designer and a fine artist.
Minji is a passionate and self-motivated graphic designer who loves creating thoughtful, high-quality design solutions. She especially loves design that has a visual impact or challenges her to think critically. With a background in both digital and print marketing, she’s adept at UX/UI design and bringing brands to life by blending creativity with problem-solving.
Prior to joining Pepper Group, Minji worked as a brand designer at a growing digital marketing agency, working closely with clients, conducting research and creating design solutions. Minji holds an MS in Human-Centered Interaction Design from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Minji is a talented illustrator and enjoys creating both animation and fine art.
Mahek Lakhani
Senior Account Manager
From marketing work to breathwork.
Mahek has a sharp eye for detail, guiding projects from concept to delivery while balancing creative vision with action-oriented execution. She is well-versed at fostering strong client relationships, coordinating cross-functional teams and streamlining processes to keep campaigns on track and on budget.
Before joining Pepper Group, Mahek worked on marketing strategy and implementation for a health-tech company, including roles in account management, client services and digital marketing. She has also been a small business web designer and taught English in Madrid, Spain. Mahek has a BS in Health Systems Management from Loyola University Chicago.
Mahek is a certified breathwork and meditation guide, leading and hosting events in Florida that help people regulate their nervous systems and “reconnect with their inner calm.”
Miranda Steczak
Senior Account Manager
Miranda tackles tough challenges with a twist of her wrist.
Miranda is known for navigating tough challenges with ease, collaborating closely with clients and developing smart, effective campaign strategies that drive results.
Miranda has a background in digital and influencer marketing, partnering with leading brands such as Walmart, Aldi, General Mills and Johnson & Johnson. She has helped shape strategy, fostered meaningful partnerships and delivered campaigns that achieved measurable impact while authentically connecting with audiences. Miranda has a BA in Journalism, with an emphasis in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Marketing, from the University of Arkansas.
Miranda has mad baton skills; she was a majorette in college.
Stacy Tanzler
Senior Account Manager
For Stacy, it’s all about team spirit.
With a knack for diving deep into product and service lines, Stacy is an integral part of her clients’ internal marketing teams. She brings strategic insight and a collaborative spirit to every project, whether she’s working on brand development, campaign strategy or managing Pepper Group’s own internal marketing efforts.
Stacy began her professional career in sales before transitioning to agency life, where she discovered her passion for helping brands grow through thoughtful strategy and creative execution. Stacy has a BA in both Human Biology and Criminal Justice from Indiana University in Bloomington.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Stacy proudly cheers for everything Hoosier, including the Pacers, Colts and Indiana University sports teams.
Grace is well-acquainted with crowning achievements.
Grace fosters longstanding relationships with clients, collaborating on brand strategies while serving as the connection between clients and our creative and digital teams. She’s extremely detail-oriented and personable, with an uncanny ability to think on her feet and adapt quickly to evolving market needs.
Grace came to Pepper Group from the world’s largest PR firm, where she worked on the Lululemon account. She also had successful internships at Southwest Airlines and Recruit Holdings.
Grace was crowned Miss Illinois USA 2024, dedicating her time to organizations such as Chicago Scholars and Bernie’s Book Bank and building brand partnerships. As a Miss Illinois ambassador, she helped increase pageant participation by 35%.
Eliza Uhland
Senior Account Manager
Eliza’s energy powers everything she does.
Eliza is passionate about building and nurturing strong client relationships that drive measurable success. Known for her positive energy and collaborative spirit, she ensures every client task, deliverable or request is handled with care while facilitating collaborations between clients and the Pepper Group team.
Before joining Pepper Group, Eliza built her career in experiential marketing, managing accounts for conferences, tradeshows and large-scale events. Her background gives her a unique understanding of how to bring brands to life in meaningful ways. Eliza graduated from Texas Christian University with a BS in Marketing & Advertising.
Outside of work, Eliza enjoys skiing, staying active and good food and wine. She also loves the Food Network and sports movies.
Todd Underwood
Interactive Director
Todd has many talents and even more interests.
Todd spends his days animating graphics, sculpting videos, programming a variety of web media and looking for new opportunities to use his commercial drone pilot’s license.
Todd started his career pioneering some of the first computer graphics workstations; he has been working in video since the days of analog tape. Learning has always led the way through his ever-evolving tools of the trade, from programming interactive touchscreen kiosks to developing stereoscopic 3D productions and running AV for national sales conferences. Todd has actually been with Pepper Group 10 years longer than the agency has existed, as he joined the company through an acquisition. Todd has a BSE in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Todd’s passion for bicycling led to his side gig as a cycling columnist for the Daily Herald for more than ten years. He is also an avid frog monitor, camper, kayaker and servant to his Old English Sheepdog, Sulley.
Joe Whittington
Senior Interaction Designer
For Joe, it’s all about focus.
Although Joe works on projects across many media, he specializes in creating web-based materials informed by data analytics and experience. He is involved in all areas of web development, from wireframes to prototypes. As a formally trained graphic designer, Joe specializes in user-centered design.
Joe began his career in publishing as a production designer, working on small print ads, where he learned all about printing and printing preproduction. He then transitioned to advertising and branding, working as an in-house graphic designer for a tax association before joining Pepper Group. Joe holds a BA in Graphic Design from St. Norbert College.
Joe loves photography, focusing on composition and storytelling, as well as watching F1 and spending time with his family.
Allan Woodrow
Senior Copy Director
From copy lines to storybooks.
At Pepper Group, Allan creates big ideas that build brands and yield impactful results. A Jack of all Trades (and master of quite a few), Allan can conceptualize a multimedia digital campaign or a unique, content-rich website as easily as he can write an informative blog post, an attention-getting social campaign or an inspiring video script.
Allan has been in advertising throughout his long career. Immediately after graduating from college, Allan became a copywriter at one of the world’s largest advertising agencies in Detroit, and after a short stint working on beer accounts in St. Louis, came to Chicago, where he has been a Copywriter, Content Director, Associate Creative Director and Creative Director. Allan has worked for clients of all sizes in both B2B and B2C, including Ford Motor Company, CBS Television and the Chicago Tribune. Allan has a BA in Communications from the University of Michigan.
Allan has written for the stage and TV. He is the author of more than 30 children’s books and regularly visits schools to discuss his books and the power of literacy.
George Couris
President & CEO
Jessie Atchison
Vice President, Director of Strategy
Cindy Wojdyla
Vice President, Creative Director
Aaron Boruch
Director of Digital Marketing
Tim Padgett
Founder
Lynn Ankele
Production Manager
Erica Dreisbach
Web Developer
Brian Erickson
Associate Creative Director
McCade Freeman
Web Developer
Haily Kaufman
Digital Marketing Manager
Minji Kim
Graphic Designer
Mahek Lakhani
Senior Account Manager
Miranda Steczak
Senior Account Manager
Stacy Tanzler
Senior Account Manager
Grace Rodi
Senior Account Manager
Eliza Uhland
Senior Account Manager
Todd Underwood
Interactive Director
Joe Whittington
Senior Interaction Designer
Allan Woodrow
Senior Copy Director
Be One of the Best & Brightest
We are consistently named one of the Best & Brightest companies. If you share our commitment to continual learning and challenging assumptions, take pride in your craft and your initiative knows no boundaries, we want you to be one of our Best & Brightest, too.