Steve Congdon
Managing Director
Steve brings more than 20 years of agency brand-building, new business and recruiting experience to Thunderclap. Before starting the firm, he worked at a variety of agencies, including FCB, Ogilvy, 22squared, and Noble—both in new business and account management. Steve’s been featured in trade magazines like Adweek; has presented at key 4As conferences; has participated in industry diversity programs; has judged business development awards; and has been recognized as an agency industry expert by the American Marketing Association.
Jake Quintanilla
Diversity Project Leader
Combining his experience at agencies like FCB and Digitas LBi in account management with a passion for the Latino and Hispanic community, Jake brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to Thunderclap clients. He’s also building his skill set in advertising, too, having worked on brands like State Farm, Sprint, MillerCoors, Coke and Philips Electronics. Jake is the founder and president of The Mi Casa Es Su Casa Network, whose mission is to influence and celebrate Latino & Hispanic culture within the advertising and media industries.
Dick Sanderson
Recruiting and Agency M&A
Dick provides candidates, agencies and senior-level growth expertise to Thunderclap clients. He brings over 30 years of agency management and leadership experience in recruiting, executive search, agency M&A and management oversight engagements. He’s been involved in five agency transactions, finding and selling multiple firms to a variety of agency, holding company and private equity structures. Working at Colgate Palmolive, he was the youngest brand manager in the company’s history. Building on that success, he’s been a leader at agencies like HB&C, BBDS and Noble Communications.
Lisa Wells
Speechwriting & Thought Leadership
Lisa takes what Thunderclap client leaders want to say and turns it into provocative speeches and content that engages, motivates and inspires. For over 20 years, this award-winning journalist turned ad agency communications strategist has worked with C-level executives at Allstate, Mondelez International, Office Depot, JCPenney, True Value Hardware as well as a number of global advertising agencies. Her client work has been published in the Wall St. Journal, Forbes, Business Insider and top industry publications. She regularly consults on recruiting to GenZ for the University of Illinois College of Media. Lisa is also co-chair of the Chicago membership committee of SheRunsIt, a national organization that promotes and educates women in communication-related industries.