Can Account Managers Be Creative?

Ana Gallego’s career did not start with a clear title. It started with curiosity, hustle, and a willingness to say yes to whatever got her in the room.

In this episode of Shady Characters, Ana shares her path from working in restaurants to finding her footing in the agency world, moving through roles across creative, production, and account services. What makes her perspective so interesting is that she refuses to be boxed in. She challenges the idea that creativity belongs to one department, and instead shows how it can live in problem-solving, systems, communication, and the way people work together.

We talk about the tension between structure and creativity, the realities of big agencies versus boutique environments, and how AI is changing the way creative people think, work, and produce. Ana also opens up about the downside of always being the one who says yes, and how learning to balance ambition with boundaries is part of growing into your role without losing yourself in the process.

At its core, this episode is about identity. It is about figuring out where you fit, staying hungry enough to keep learning, and building a career that reflects more than just the title on your business card.