Biography
For Dave Lew, career success has never been just about the roles he’s held—it’s about aligning professional skill with personal purpose. A 2010 Evening MBA graduate, Dave has built a career that spans global consumer brands and national nonprofit leadership, guided by a clear belief: purpose is personal, and it can be pursued in many ways.
Dave began his career as a marketer in consumer packaged goods, spending more than a decade at Newell Brands (formerly Newell Rubbermaid). There, he worked on household-name brands including Sharpie, Rubbermaid, Coleman, Contigo, and Calphalon—brands found in nearly every U.S. home. The experience gave him deep exposure to large-scale brand management, global operations, and navigating change within a complex organization.
He later moved to Vitamix, where the mission of improving health through nutrition reinforced an idea that would increasingly shape his career: meaningful work can exist anywhere, if you believe in what you’re building. “There is purpose that can be found in any place,” Dave noted. “You just have to believe that what you’re doing is actually driving toward that purpose.”
Long before nonprofit became a professional chapter, however, it was already part of Dave’s life. Through a close friend, he and his wife, also a Goizueta MBA alum, were introduced to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. What began as volunteerism evolved into a decade-long commitment. “If you’re looking for a job to fulfill your purpose, you may always be looking,” Dave reflected. “Profession is just one avenue; you can also find it in volunteerism.” Eventually, he was invited to fuse passion with profession, prompting a pivotal career shift.
That transition brought Dave to St. Jude, and later to his current role as Chief Marketing Officer at the American Cancer Society, a 113-year-old organization known by many but often misunderstood. In this role, Dave leads national brand strategy, audience engagement, and revenue-driving marketing efforts—work he emphasizes is no different in rigor than that of Fortune 50 companies. “Nonprofit is doing the exact same work,” he said. It’s just funded differently.
At American Cancer Society, Dave and his team focus on building trust, brand equity, and organizational value, especially as they navigate generational shifts, evolving donor expectations, and complex public health challenges. The responsibility of stewarding donor dollars adds weight to every decision, reinforcing the importance of intentional messaging and disciplined strategy.
Across every stage of his career, Dave has remained a strong advocate for bold networking and intentional asks. One of his most repeated pieces of advice: “Be bolder than what you think you're able to get to.” He encourages professionals to actively nurture their networks, ask for introductions, and approach conversations with clarity about what they’re seeking. “You’ll never get something if you never ask for it,” he said, while also emphasizing the importance of timing and authenticity.
Today, Dave finds purpose not only in the mission of ending cancer, but in motivating teams and organizations to believe that progress is possible. His post-MBA journey reflects the power of a Goizueta education: transferable skills, strategic thinking, and the confidence to pivot with intention, whether across industries, sectors, or definitions of success.
Post-MBA Career Timeline | Dave Lew 10EvMBA
MBA Pivot Point (2010)
Emory Goizueta Business School – Evening MBA
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Earned MBA while working full time
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Built strategic marketing and leadership foundation
CPG Marketing Leadership
Newell Brands
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Led marketing for iconic household brands
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Built expertise in brand strategy and global scale
Mission-Driven Consumer Brand
Vitamix
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Applied purpose-led storytelling to health and wellness
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Deepened conviction that values can drive growth
Purpose Becomes Profession
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
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Transitioned from long-time volunteer to marketing leader
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Aligned personal passion with professional impact
National Nonprofit Leadership
Chief Marketing Officer, American Cancer Society
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Leads brand, messaging, and audience strategy
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Builds trust and relevance for a 113-year-old organization
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Drives impact through clarity, insight, and purpose