Some of what they say about me.
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during his time as Global Creative Director at Lockton. David has a rare ability to lead creative professionals in a way that’s both visionary and deeply human. He doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach — instead, he listens, adapts, and helps people show up as the best version of themselves.
Under his leadership, I was able to lean into my strengths in a way that felt both natural and impactful. That kind of intuitive and empathetic management is hard to come by, especially in fast-paced creative environments. He brings high energy, clarity of vision, and the ability to rally people toward meaningful, strategic outcomes. Any team would be lucky to have his kind of leadership at the helm.” -
David proved to be exceptionally creative as well as an excellent leader in the strategy of this large team. His direction, guidance and mentorship of talent was unsurpassed.
David was challenged to provide best-in-class marketing collateral and technical communication in diverse markets and develop a strategy to align with the business needs.
David exemplified dedication to contribute at the highest level. This was no small undertaking. It was critical to meet the needs of a diverse group of executives and make them all feel their needs were first and most important, while keeping his large team focused on delivering.
I do not hesitate to highly recommend David.” -
the people around him and why it matters. He doesn't shy away from the hard thing. And often thinks of the angle no one else would have arrived at.
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As I was conducting my last interview for my first corporate position, meeting the Creative Director was nothing short of intimidating. However, it was clear to me within a few short minutes that David led with curiosity and compassion over criticalness and close-mindedness. He was thorough and asked thoughtful, careful questions to assess if I was fit for the position. While this was a huge interview for my career, I felt comfortable – even excited – to share my work experience, artistic passion, and interests. With David, I could sense that he had the ability to facilitate inspiration and growth where there was potential.
David’s ability to lead others towards success was proven many times over. He fostered positivity, thoughtfulness, and integrity in the culture of our creative team. He led by example – always encouraging open communication, collaboration, and genuine care. Although David prioritized balance and kindness towards his staff, he also had high expectations for our team to support the company and each other. David was able to express these expectations – ability to work under pressure, conscientious collaboration, and adaptability – without once giving an authoritarian or persnickety energy. He never micromanaged. Instead, he offered flexibility, patience, and guidance towards these goals.
I noticed that David does an excellent job balancing providing exceptional support for our clients and the company with the wellbeing and happiness of his employees.
In short, David Gilbertson is one of the most encouraging, positive, thoughtful, and talented leaders I have had the opportunity to meet. I am proud to have worked with him. Any team would be lucky to have him. -
always valuing the creative input of individuals and new ideas shared by the team. He made time to ensure that everyone's voice was heard, creating an environment where innovation was possible.
David had the ability to challenge and inspire. He didn’t just accept the status quo; he encouraged me and the team to push the boundaries of what was possible, helping us to grow both creatively and professionally. His approach was always constructive and empowering, turning challenges into opportunities for growth. David is a true people person who is built on trust and relationships.
His empathetic nature fostered an atmosphere of sincerity and collaboration, making him not only an excellent creative leader but also a trusted mentor and advocate for career development. He always took the time to guide and support me in my professional growth, encouraging me to aim higher and offering constructive feedback along the way. A natural creative problem solver, David was always ready to face challenges with fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
A true creative visionary — anyone would be fortunate enough to work with him.
Allow me to reintroduce myself.
The reason I work
While I had no idea when I went to design school, my crew is what gets me out of bed most mornings. They’ve pushed me to maximize my gifts throughout my career. They also eat a lot of eggs.
My family has also been key in teaching me about working with different types of people, building trust, and developing accountability. Before I had a brood of my own, I recognized an ability to quickly build trust, being able to work together with diverse groups of people, and use my creative abilities to solve problems.
After studying Graphic Design at Iowa State University, I’ve worked in nearly every aspect of the creative field — from branding, editorial, print, OOH, event, tradeshow, activation, video, motion, and web. And in the last few years, I’ve realized I think more like a writer*.
Early in my career, this “Jack of all, master of …” approach left me feeling envious of designers carving out a niche in poster design, custom typography, and film. But my creative and professional appetite was always moving onto “what’s next?”
As I progressed in my career, what I formerly saw as a weakness had turned into a strength. I found I knew enough about numerous disciplines and trades that I not only understood what they do, but I could direct and position feedback in a manner that understands their needs and pain points. It’s a switch I can’t turn off.
From my youth I was always involved with conflict management, building interpersonal relational bridges, and creating art. My leadership capacity was always highlighted, but I had not seized the opportunity to officially exercise that potential. At the mid-point of my career my creative problem solving began to shift to those more related to organizations, team dynamics, and strategy.
After experiencing various working environments I began to see what worked and what didn’t. I was curious on the why. Was it just the people, or were there underlying principles at play? I sought answers. Found some. And when these theories were put to the test I learned that knowledge is not the same as application. I gathered myself, retooled, and tried again.
The core of my leadership philosophy is trust and win-win outcomes. The 5 dysfunctions of a team and the X model of engagement were things I drew heavily from. I’m also a big believer in farmer wisdom and generally not being an asshole.
My family is what gets me out of bed. My faith is the core of all I am. I’m pretty transparent. I’m passionate about people, stories, and solutions. If you think there may be value in working together, I’d love to connect.