We recently connected with Kayla Dzambo and have shared our conversation below.

Kayla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Any advice for creating a more inclusive workplace?

Promote women. Hire more women in leadership roles. Some of the hardest workers and biggest innovators I know are women. And one of the biggest strengths of many women is, they care about people. They are going to not only lead a team, but care about them. I’ve been at too many companies lead by men, who say they care about employees but create a culture that is the opposite. I’ve been at companies lead by women and have seen the difference too.

I’ve had to leave jobs because of sexism before. I’ve found myself in more than one instance where my hard work propped up unqualified and unexceptional men managing me. At one company, when the creative director was let go, they left the position unfilled for months with me handling all his duties and leading the team. Instead of promoting me into the position I was already doing really well at, I was told I wasn’t creative or qualified enough. This motivated me enough to find a new job where I was valued.

As a mom and woman in America, I’m more aware than ever of the inequities women have to deal with. It’s draining to work just as hard, if not harder, and still not be as seen, heard, or invested in, like my counterparts are.

Kayla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Working in the creative world usually means being flexible and taking on all kinds of roles—and I’ve fully embraced that through my career. I’m Kayla Dzambo, a Product Designer and Creative currently working full-time as a Senior Product Designer in tech at ZoomInfo. On the side, I do freelance branding—my most recent project was the Arka Motel, which was featured on Fixer to Fabulous on HGTV. I’m also the President of All Those Creative, a nonprofit in Oklahoma City that brings local creatives together through year-round events. I creative directed the organization’s branding, which was featured in Graphic Design USA this year. I’d describe myself as a strategic and practical creative—I love big-picture thinking, crafting the vibe of a project, and following through with strong user-focused execution.

My career began in art school, where I explored multiple mediums before focusing on Graphic Design for its practical path. I spent over a decade in that space, eventually becoming an Associate Creative Director. I’ve worked with national brands like Payless, Spirit Airlines, and At Home at large agencies, as well as local clients at smaller firms and as an in-house lead. One standout project was leading the branding for the Gilded Acorn, a restaurant by James Beard Award-winning Chef Black—seeing the brand come to life in a physical space was unforgettable. Eventually, I shifted toward UX/UI at a creative agency, where I dove into custom websites, apps, and dashboards. I fell in love with the logic behind user experiences, working closely with designers, developers, and writers to bring projects to life.

That transition led me to full-time product design in tech. Though I initially missed traditional creative work, I found new inspiration in problem-solving, accessibility, and user research. It also gave me space to continue branding work and to co-found a new creative community in my city. Now, even as I navigate life as a new mother with less capacity, I stay inspired by daily connections with fellow creatives and new opportunities that continue to emerge. Wherever this path leads next, I’m dedicated to making meaningful work and empowering other creatives.

Any advice for managing a team?

Be the kind of manager you want your team to embody. In an always-connected world, where phones and remote access make it easy to work around the clock, it’s more important than ever to model healthy boundaries. Show your team that it’s not only okay—but necessary—to make space for life outside of work. This kind of empathy builds trust, fosters loyalty, and creates the breathing room that creativity needs to thrive. And don’t forget to make room for play. While leadership will always push near impossible deadlines and more efficiency, know creativity and innovation is ultimately what drives progress and sets teams apart.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Being a creative professional is more than a career choice — it’s a calling, often woven deeply into one’s identity. We spend countless hours honing our craft, knowing that our work is sometimes overlooked or undervalued. In times of economic uncertainty, creative roles are often the first to be cut. Our contributions can sometimes be difficult to quantify, especially when the outcome is subject to audience opinions. Add to that a constantly evolving industry, where new tools and technologies emerge at a relentless pace, requiring constant adaptation. What many outside the creative world don’t always understand is that we create not because it’s easy, but because we’re driven to. Despite the instability, the undervaluing, and the ever-shifting landscape, we keep going. Because for us, the act of creating isn’t just a job — it’s a source of joy, meaning, and fulfillment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kayladzambo.com/
• Instagram: https://kayladzambo.com/
• Linkedin: https://kayladzambo.com/
• Other: https://www.allthosecreative.org

Image Credits

Profile Image: Trevor Mark Photography