{"id":6878,"date":"2025-03-02T14:11:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-02T14:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/?p=6878"},"modified":"2025-03-02T14:11:47","modified_gmt":"2025-03-02T14:11:47","slug":"the-rise-of-executive-creative-director-elen-gasparyan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/the-rise-of-executive-creative-director-elen-gasparyan\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rise of Executive Creative Director Elen Gasparyan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ForbesPro<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In business, much is made of the \u201cperfect time\u201d to launch a venture. For Elen Gasparyan, that time was when most would assume she should pause her career: nine months pregnant. By founding Davel Creative Agency, she challenged stereotypes, demonstrating how women can turn pivotal life moments\u2014like motherhood\u2014into opportunities for success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before launching Davel, Elen gained extensive experience at HSBC Bank in Armenia, where she held roles across sales and marketing from 2012 to 2016. This diverse background equipped her with the skills to navigate both the financial and creative aspects of running an agency. Now an Executive Creative Director with a global footprint, she exemplifies how resilience can drive meaningful change, even in competitive industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defying Stereotypes from Day One<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2017, Elen co-founded Davel at a time when many believed she\u2019d be stepping away from ambition\u2014just weeks before giving birth to her first child. \u201cWomen are often underestimated when they\u2019re pregnant or become new mothers,\u201d Elen shares. \u201cBut it\u2019s actually one of our strongest moments because we learn to balance more than we ever thought possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Launching a creative agency in Armenia\u2014a small, post-Soviet country with just three million people\u2014with no outside funding posed additional challenges. Yet, Elen leveraged the business skills she developed in high-level roles at HSBC, where she gained expertise in client relationships and strategic financial thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This foundation was built on a bachelor\u2019s in management from the Armenian State University of Economics and later a professional diploma in digital marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute in Dublin. This unique skill set sets Davel apart, establishing it as a competitive agency in a crowded market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Local Breakthroughs to International Acclaim<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Davel\u2019s early success led to broader opportunities and collaborations with major companies spanning telecom, banking, airlines, and globally recognized cosmetic brands. Committed to further growth, Elen expanded the agency to California, leveraging the United States\u2019 vast market and diverse opportunities. Expanding into the U.S. presented new challenges, but Davel soon gained clients among major businesses seeking innovative branding and marketing strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karate, Discipline, and Drive<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A key influence on Elen\u2019s leadership style is her dedication to karate, a discipline she practices consistently. \u201cKarate isn\u2019t just physical training\u2014it\u2019s mental preparation for every hurdle,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt taught me perseverance, clear-minded focus, and the mindset that I can push through challenges.\u201d Balancing karate sessions with leading a team and raising a family might seem daunting, but for Elen, it\u2019s part of the formula that keeps her at the top of her game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading the Conversation in Creativity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Elen\u2019s client work and results have earned her multiple Golden MUSE Awards and a seat as a judge on platforms like The Drum (UK), Digiday, and the Webby Awards, where she has evaluated campaigns for giants like Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, Doritos, etc. She is also an Associate Member of The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences in New York, solidifying her role as an influential professional in the creative industry. Standing alongside creative directors from Hulu, Spotify, and Ogilvy, she brings a perspective deeply informed by her dual experiences in relationship management and the creative realm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lessons for Aspiring Female Leaders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Turn \u201cWeakness\u201d into Fuel<\/strong>: Elen built her company at a time when society often labels women \u201cweak.\u201d She used that perception as motivation to excel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Take Calculated Risks<\/strong>: Moving Davel to the U.S. was a bold move, but it catapulted the agency onto a global stage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Practice Discipline<\/strong>: Whether karate or any other pursuit, sustained discipline fosters resilience and clarity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Embrace Mentorship<\/strong>: Elen credits her mother with showing her the power of strong female role models, and she now pays it forward by mentoring others.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    An Ongoing Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    With a reputation that has led to industry accolades, invitations to serve as a judge on global creative platforms, and a growing international clientele, Elen continues to break barriers. Her next goal is to keep expanding Davel in the U.S. and beyond while using her influence to show that women don\u2019t need permission – or perfect timing – to chase big dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    ForbesPro is Forbes Israel\u2019s Promotional Content Brand<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    ForbesPro In business, much is made of the \u201cperfect time\u201d to launch a venture. For Elen Gasparyan, that time was when most would assume she should pause her career: nine months pregnant. By founding Davel Creative Agency, she challenged stereotypes, demonstrating how women can turn pivotal life moments\u2014like motherhood\u2014into opportunities for success. Before launching Davel, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":6886,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[95,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hide-on-homepage","category-forbespro"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Rise of Executive Creative Director Elen Gasparyan - Forbes Israel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/the-rise-of-executive-creative-director-elen-gasparyan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Rise of Executive Creative Director Elen Gasparyan - Forbes Israel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/the-rise-of-executive-creative-director-elen-gasparyan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Forbes Israel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ForbesIsrael\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-03-02T14:11:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-02T14:11:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ellen.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"450\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"ForbesPro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ForbesIsrael\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ForbesIsrael\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"ForbesPro\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/the-rise-of-executive-creative-director-elen-gasparyan\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/the-rise-of-executive-creative-director-elen-gasparyan\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"ForbesPro\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/#\/schema\/person\/a90b1a74274dda9294204d44d6a0dd93\"},\"headline\":\"The Rise of Executive Creative Director Elen Gasparyan\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-02T14:11:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-02T14:11:47+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/the-rise-of-executive-creative-director-elen-gasparyan\/\"},\"wordCount\":706,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/the-rise-of-executive-creative-director-elen-gasparyan\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ellen.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"# Hide On Homepage\",\"ForbesPro\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/the-rise-of-executive-creative-director-elen-gasparyan\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/forbes.co.il\/e\/the-rise-of-executive-creative-director-elen-gasparyan\/\",\"name\":\"The Rise of Executive Creative Director Elen Gasparyan - 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