Alexandra (Alex) Stankiewicz Krems has spent the last 23 years pursuing her education, career, and penchant for exploring cities and culture while living in Boston (5 years) and New York City (15 years), and with stints living in London and Austin, all before moving back to her hometown of Milwaukee in 2021.

Known for having the unique ability to use “both sides of the brain,” Alex is a marketer respected for her business acumen and her creative sensibility, making her a trusted partner to both business leaders and creative visionaries alike.  Colleagues have described her as an exceptional marketer, a natural brand builder, and a compassionate leader.

Alex began her career at advertising agencies - she had 3 internships while earning her degree from Boston University and was employee number 11 at Mother New York where she stayed for 7 years. For a variety of reasons - such as the desire to have direct accountability for the creative work that would generate brand and business results - Alex transitioned to work in-house at companies as a marketer. 

Since 2011, Alex has held marketing leadership roles at iconic brands like Chobani and Calvin Klein, at burgeoning brands with cult-like followings like Best Made Co. and Rishi Tea & Botanicals, and at pre-acquisition start-ups led by tenacious founders with a dream.  

Whether agency side or brand side, whether at a 2-person startup or a Fortune 500 company, Alex has worked directly with Founders, C-Suite executives, Board Members, and Investors.  Alex has a reputation for being a responsible change agent and was recognized by the Calvin Klein global executives as a leader “who brought fresh thinking and positive change to the corporation.”  

Today, Alex is a fractional Chief Marketing Officer and Brand Advisor to independently owned companies and start-ups who seek senior level marketing leadership and guidance for their rapidly growing businesses and for established brands who need to find their relevance once again. 

The brand work that Alex has led has been seen and experienced in myriad channels ranging from coupons and tags on clothing to high visibility Super Bowl commercials and on the runways at New York Fashion Weeks.

• Northwestern University, School of Education and Social Policy. Graduate Certificate in Organizational & Leadership Coaching, Expected Spring 2026.

• Boston University, College of Communication. Bachelor of Science in Communication.

• Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee, WI.

Fractional Marketing and Advising for Brands & Agencies (5 years)

• Fractional Chief Marketing Officer + Brand Advisor. Clients: Afia, Bubba’s Rowdy Friends, Free Rain, Perlick Corporation, Rocco & Roxie Supply Co., Vitti Cycling, and other confidential clients.

• Advertising and Brand Management Consultant. Clients: Calvin Klein, NBC and Comic Relief, Barton F. Graf and Bai Beverage, Lupulo Restaurant, PepsiCo’s Sierra Mist.

Marketing Roles at Brands (12 years)

• Head of Marketing, Rishi Tea & Botanicals.

• Chief Marketing Officer + Head of Online Sales, Aloha.

• Vice President, Brand Marketing and Creative, Best Made Co.

• Vice President, Global Marketing, Calvin Klein.

• Director, Global Marketing, Calvin Klein.

• Director of Brand Marketing, Chobani.

• Senior Manager, Advertising & Brand Management, TDAmeritrade.

Account Leadership Roles at Creative Agencies (8 years)

• Mother/Account Lead at Mother New York. Clients: ABInBev’s Stella Artois, Johnson&Johnson’s K-Y, Rembrandt, and Bengay; Miller Brewing Co.’s Milwaukee Best Light, Virgin Mobile, Cumberland Packing Corp.’s Sweet’N Low, Sugar In The Raw, Stevia In The Raw.

• New Business Intern at Arnold Worldwide of Boston. Client: Nikon.

• Strategy Intern at Mother London. Clients: Coca-Cola, Orange Telecom, Red Nose Day.

• Creative Services & New Business Intern at Modernista! of Boston. Client: General Motors’ Hummer.

Board Membership

• Board Member, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Milwaukee, WI, Jan. 2025 - Present.

• Board Member, Friends of Villa Terrace, Milwaukee, WI, 2022-2023.

Mentorship & Coaching for Women and Girls

• Mentor/Volunteer, Dress for Success Austin, 2019-2021.

• Mentor/Volunteer, She Runs It New York, 2011-2019.

• Mentor/Volunteer, The Lower East Side Girls Club of New York, 2005-2010.

Volunteerism

• Committed life-long volunteer at various organizations including: Nature Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, God’s Love We Deliver, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding America, Boys & Girls Club, and many nursing homes, homeless shelters, food pantries, farms, churches, and schools. 1991-Present.

• Mentors: Since my first internship and throughout my career, I have worked directly with Founders and the C-suite. I’ve been fortunate to have exposure to their experience, rigor, and brilliance. Exposure to them and the chances they offered me have forever shaped me.

• Yoga and Meditation: Practitioner of yoga and meditation for over 20 years. Earned a Certificate in Yoga and Meditation Teaching (CYT, 2020). Completed 5 immersion programs in yoga and meditation (2017-2024).

• Sport and Activity: Finalist of over a dozen road and trail running half marathons, and numerous 10ks and 5ks. Avid hiker and cyclist who has completed several multi-day cycling treks in the US and overseas. Novice golfer and pickleballer.

• Travel: Extensive off-the-beaten-path urban, wilderness, and culinary travel across North America and Europe, and in parts of Africa, South America, and Australia. Travel feeds my curiosity and desire to learn about our planet and about the diversity of people, food, habitats, and cultures.

• Youth: Strong belief in investing in youth, supporting their development, and the idea that it takes a village to raise a child. Stepmother to three fabulous boys.