Izzy was asked by the U.S. State Department to travel as a film envoy to Egypt, China, Ukraine, and Tunisia. In addition to screenings, Izzy led many master classes and weeklong workshops. She has been a dynamic speaker and a thoughtful mentor to the many students and emerging filmmakers she encountered around the world. Once on the ground, she has been exceedingly flexible and positive in the face of unexpected travel and program complications, acting quickly to turn challenges into opportunities. We have heard the same sentiment echoed by American foreign service officers at U.S. Embassies, who have worked closely with Izzy in developing and implementing each of her international programs. Izzy is a true professional, with excellent communication skills, incredible drive, and a passion for telling stories that matter to her, and to the world.

~ Rachel Gandin Mark, Director of International Programs, Program Director, American Film Showcase, U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts

Day in and day out, I really enjoy working with Isabella. She asks lots of excellent questions, initiates many discussions about what else we might do or what we might do differently, constantly has good ideas for other avenues that we could explore. I am also quite impressed by her research and statistical knowledge. Often when a research question arises from the BG (typically of the sort that starts “I’m in a meeting with Ballmer and need to know....”), she will see it and step in with an answer, and she is always spot on. I have found that she is always on top of everything. In short, she is a great partner to work with, and on a personal level a very nice person to work with.

~ Chad Davis, previously a Marketing Research Director at Microsoft, in his nomination of Izzy for an MVP award at Microsoft

I have had the pleasure of working with Izzy on brand strategy projects at Applied Materials and Xilinx. Izzy is an exceptional strategist with a deep understanding of our industry. Izzy's approach includes both quantitative and qualitative research/analysis to create an accurate brand architecture. Izzy is extremely professional and presents well to senior executive management. In addition, she has a personal style that invites open communication with all levels and technical audiences. Izzy produced award-winning results for me that had a tremendous impact on our marketing efforts. I highly recommend Izzy for any brand or positioning projects.

~ Kyra Whitten, a client when she was Managing Director of Marketing Communications at Applied Materials

Izzy worked on a number of projects for us at BSSP over the years. She was exceptional to work with–she really understands the world of planning and what agencies need. She has a great grasp of storytelling and structuring a powerful strategic narrative. She was a great partner on the projects we collaborated together on, and I can say that she was a contributing factor in helping us to win a number of pitches.

~ Ed Cotton, a client when he was Chief Strategy Officer at BSSP

I have had the pleasure of both working alongside Isabella at RPA on American Honda and also hiring her as a strategic consultant and researcher while I was at Oakley. Her uncanny knack for sifting through the clutter and discovering compelling nuggets of ideas is overshadowed only by her boundless enthusiasm and passion for her work. She can adapt quickly, becoming an instant expert on any product or in any segment. My experiences with her in automotive and fashion, two disparate industries, had the same results: strong, thorough strategic recommendations that were real and actionable. Isabella has my highest recommendation.

~ Ryan Brierley, a client when he was Global Marketing Director at Oakley

I had the pleasure to work with Izzy on a couple of projects; her energy is infectious. She's not only super strategic, but she also has this ability to turn super difficult problems into inspiring briefs. She's a joy to work with, and I highly recommend her, well not too much because I want more of Izzy for us!

~ Rafael Rizuto, client, Founder & Chief Creative Officer at tbd, currently Chief Creative Officer at BBH NY

If every researcher and strategist I worked with were as good as Izzy Chan, I'd likely be sitting on a beach somewhere retired. The only reason I don't work with her 52 weeks a year is that her rockstar self is in high demand, and I could never convince her to take a full-time job. But let me stop being flip. Izzy is simply one of the best, if not THE best, planners, researchers, strategists I've ever worked with. From deep qualitative research to incisive quant studies, positioning and messaging to brand strategy and campaign strategy to boot, Izzy can do it all. I don't know how she can work so quickly, but I suspect her brain just moves faster than a normal human's. If you ever have the opportunity to work with her, jump at the chance. I know I always do.

~ Alder Yarrow, a client when he was Chief Experience Officer at Cibo

It's not an exaggeration to say that Izzy transformed the account planning practice at Eleven. She brings discipline, experience, optimism, and high energy to every assignment. I admire Izzy's endless curiosity (where she finds time to discover so many interesting new blogs and websites almost every day is a mystery to me) and defy anyone to have anything less than a great deal of fun working with her.

~ Rob Price, Founder, Executive Creative Director at Eleven Inc.

Izzy is a personality who can change the culture of an organization for the better and a performer who can consistently make the work better. She's extremely thorough and inventive–whether it's creative explorations or analyzing data. On every type of assignment, Izzy is a vital injection of positive energy. I miss taking credit for all the brilliant thinking she does.

~ Rob Kabus, Chief Insight Officer/Managing Partner at Dataxet

Izzy is not only one of the smartest, most insightful people I know, she is also a tremendous creative talent and a ridiculously nice person, to boot. Every project I've worked with her on has benefited greatly from her deep strategic thinking and her genuine curiosity. Whenever we're faced with a tough problem, she's always the first person we call because I know she will bring clarity to the input, help sharpen our thinking, and most importantly, make the creative better.

~ Jay Rendon, client, Founder & Creative Director of Novio

Izzy is a fantastic strategist with an infectious energy that lights up a room. She is quick to get to the heart of an issue, always knows the right questions to ask, and is amazing at synthesizing and inspiring both the agency and the client. We absolutely love working with Izzy.

~ Jordan Warren, a client when he was CEO and founder of tbd

If you get the chance to work with Izzy, do it. She will make you and your team smarter. She has an infectious positive spirit and true passion for the business. She is incredibly insightful and a joy to work with. She has the rare ability among strategic planners to speak with intellectual authority without confusing mere mortals. Seriously, do it.

~ Pete Imwalle, EVP/COO at RPA Advertising

Izzy is a fantastic mentor, collaborator, and strategic partner! She's a brilliant and highly experienced strategist that uncovers mindset-changing insights and provides actionable ways forward. She's also an incredible human being that you will want to collaborate with again and again.

~ Steven Garcia, client, Director of Cultural Anthropology at Team One

Izzy brings great work ethic, unrivaled integrity, and some of the most worldly and knowledgeable perspectives to any table. Her creativity and seemingly limitless energy allow her to adapt to any situation or industry. Guaranteed she will produce actionable results to inspire creative teams and grow any business.

~ Glenn Chin, a client when he was Managing Director at Verus Group