Paving The Way: Adrienne Cadena

Adrienne Cadena has worked at Havas Formula for over sixteen years and was just 24 when she took over the agency’s experiential marketing team. Since 2006, she has turned Havas STREET into one of Formula’s top performing divisions.

In January 2023, Cadena was promoted to CEO of Havas STREET. Cadena has worked in several different roles throughout her time at Formula and is known for bringing calm energy to stressful situations. She demonstrates a deep understanding of program management, brand experience and public relations that resonates with her clients.

Cadena graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 and received her Master’s in Communication Management with an emphasis in Strategic & Organizational Corporate Communication in 2009.

During her time at Formula, she was impressively awarded a spot in PR Week’s 40 under 40 in 2015, and remains an active participant on the USC Center for PR Board of Advisors.

We’ve asked Adrienne a few questions to learn more about her background, inspirations, and the creative work that she is most proud of.

Q&A:

Where did you grow up and how has that shaped the person you are today?

• I grew up in Whittier, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. As a kid, I loved heading into Los Angeles to experience all the wonderful things the city had to offer. From the arts to cultural events and sports/concerts, I felt like there was so much to explore. I cherish the diversity of our city and all the different cultures who shape our So Cal communities. This has definitely shaped me as a person by learning to appreciate differences while connecting through similarities.??

When did you first realize you were creative?

• Growing up, I loved to write stories and would create characters and plot lines. My grandmother was a creative person and I remember writing, singing and painting with her growing up. I also had a passion for fashion and how it allowed you to express yourself. Now I not only get to think creatively in what I do on a daily basis but I can teach my kids to appreciate their own creative interests.

Who is your idol (creative or general)?

• I have so many idols that I look up to for different reasons, but if I had to pick one it would be Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She spent a lifetime flourishing in the face of adversity before she was appointed on the Supreme Court. She showed courage, bravery, intellect and determination while she fought for equality and women’s rights. I admire her passion, perseverance, grace and grit.?

Is there a moment from college or your early career that changed your life??

• In college there were probably two major moments that changed my life. One was meeting my husband in a class we had together. The next one was switching from a pre-med path to communications. After a year of chemistry courses, I realized that practicing medicine was not in my future.?

What advice would you give yourself at the beginning of your career?

• I would have told myself to embrace failure. Instead of making excuses or defending a decision, I would have told my younger self to own it, learn from it and know that it was making me stronger and better for the next challenge to come.?

What was your favorite project you’ve ever worked on?

• I am truly grateful for every project that I’ve worked on in my career, but I think my favorite was Wholly Guacamole’s Guaclandia School Bus. Who doesn’t love thinking about how to make a museum of avocados on wheels?! From the bright creative to the exit slide that landed in a pit of faux avocados - it was such a fun project to be a part of from start to finish.??