Vantage Voices · Episode 03
Roger Starkweather
The first openly gay chair of the Columbia Tower Club, on visibility, community, and connecting the dots.
Hosted by Rachael Barclay · ANEWbrand
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Roger Starkweather is the Chief Experience Officer of ANEWbrand, the branding and marketing agency he built with his best friend of fifteen years, Steven Picanza, for what they call do-good organizations. Before that he spent years inside the giants: Nordstrom, Starbucks, REI, L'Oreal.
The turn came when two pathways collided. Roger and Steven were frustrated with big-agency models that took advantage of clients, and at the same time Roger was in his own personal transformation: coming out. He chose to be raw and honest about who he is and tie it to what he wanted to do in life, which is give back.
Then the club handed him something he never went searching for: the board presidency. Five general managers in seven years, COVID, no clear direction. His answer was to consistently show up, so consistently that people called him the mayor. And as the first openly gay chair of the Columbia Tower Club, he became fully visible himself right as he was helping the community do the same. Jesse talked in episode two about taking the door off. Roger walked through his, and then held it open.
What Roger can give the room: connecting the dots (his word for it is superpower, and he has earned it), brand clarity and storytelling for do-good organizations, and philanthropy leadership, now continuing at the World Trade Center with the nonprofit committee and the Good Gathering. What he is looking for: do-good organizations that want true, authentic clarity in their brand, whether that is a whole new vision or help telling the story of one that is already built.
He leaves the episode with the three words he lives by, inspired by his three kids, all artists and creators out in the world: create, learn and love.
My superpower has always been the ability to connect the dots.
Being the first openly gay chair of the club, I knew I could make an impact and a difference.
There are three words that all of us as humans can live by: create, learn and love.
What Roger can give the room
- Connecting the dots: his superpower is knowing which people and opportunities belong together
- Brand clarity and storytelling for do-good organizations, from full rebrands to campaign narratives
- Philanthropy leadership: he chairs the nonprofit committee at the World Trade Center and runs the Good Gathering
The introduction Roger is looking for
Do-good organizations that want true, authentic clarity in their brand: either a full new name and vision, or help telling the story of a brand that is already built.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Roger Starkweather?
Roger Starkweather is the founder of ANEWbrand. They help do-good organizations (startups, scale-ups, and nonprofits) that want transformation, clarity, and trust in their brand.
What can Roger offer other Vantage members?
Connecting the dots: his superpower is knowing which people and opportunities belong together; Brand clarity and storytelling for do-good organizations, from full rebrands to campaign narratives; Philanthropy leadership: he chairs the nonprofit committee at the World Trade Center and runs the Good Gathering.
What is Roger looking for?
Do-good organizations that want true, authentic clarity in their brand: either a full new name and vision, or help telling the story of a brand that is already built.
What is Vantage Voices?
Vantage Voices is the podcast of Vantage, a members-first network in Seattle. Each episode is a short conversation with one member so the room can get to know them before they meet.
Every member gets a seat in this chair.
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