Thedrum

Being at an agency for 5 years these days seems like a monumental accomplishment. The fact that Val DiFebo, CEO of Deutsch New York, has been at the same agency for 25 years isn’t an anomaly — it’s testament to her dedication to not just the agency she has called home, but to the industry overall. Starting as an account manager, the Bronx native has steadily and continually climbed to the stratosphere of leadership in her own way — with honesty, candor and a competitive spirit. But DiFebo is also incredibly loyal to her team and women in the industry and mixes her innate bravery with kindness and care. DiFebo knows how to read people well, but also doesn’t wait when she sees an opportunity to engage for the greater good — especially with clients. This superpower, she believes, is a learnable trait and one that can be valuable when practiced with mindfulness and empathy of others. One critical aspect of DiFebo’s own growth, and that of the agency, is her insistence on breaking down the walls of the C-sui