Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda DeVito. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Amanda, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
To me, resilience and authenticity are inseparable. I’ve always considered my resilience as being what allows me to fully show up as my most authentic self, whether in my personal life or in business. I think my resilience comes from two different places: the people who ground me, and the perspective I’ve built throughout my life and career.
At the top of that list is my wife. She has an incredible ability to lead from a place of calm and compassion, even when circumstances may seem uncertain. Watching her navigate life’s ups and downs with steadiness has taught me that resilience isn’t about force or endurance; it’s about presence. It’s the discipline of staying grounded and connected to your purpose and values, even when it feels uncomfortable or inconvenient.
The lessons I’ve learned from her have helped shape how I lead and interact with others. I came out in my twenties, but transparently, I still have to come out all the time – whether in life, in meetings, or casual introductions. And while these moments don’t always require a grand statement, they do require me to speak up, correct assumptions, and stand taller in my truth. Sure, there are some moments that could be simpler if I chose to stay quiet, but to me, that isn’t what it means to be resilient. For me, being resilient is being able to show up honestly and maintain my own integrity, even when it’s easier to stay silent.
I think it’s easy to confuse resilience with endurance. But true resilience, in my experience, is about being grounded and confident. I may not always get it right, but I do try to approach challenges with this mindset. My wife reminds me often that resilience isn’t about appearing strong; it’s about being steady enough to grow through whatever comes next.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I started my career on the agency side, pivoted to local TV, and then ventured into the world of tech startups before ultimately finding my way back to agency life. Today, I’m nearing fifteen years at Butler/Till, where I serve as Chief Marketing Officer. In my role, I help lead the agency as we partner with clients across healthcare and highly localized markets through our BetterLocal platform. I also oversee Butler/Till’s business development and marketing efforts – driving strategic thinking, creative solutions, and innovation across the agency. Our work spans a wide range of verticals – Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Financial Services, BevAlc, Franchise, Insurance, Consumer Products, Energy, and Retail – so there’s never a dull day at the agency.
What makes this work so meaningful to me isn’t just what we do, but how we do it. We’re a B Corp, women-owned, employee-owned agency; all of which resonate deeply with my own personal values. Since transitioning to a 100% ESOP in 2014, it’s been incredible to witness the positive impact on our entire team. When people have real ownership and a stake in business outcomes, everything changes. There’s a universal mindset to show up differently, think bigger, act bolder, and work with intention. That shared mindset is infectious, and I think it really helps keep everyone feeling accountable by raising the stakes in the best way possible.
I often say that purpose and performance aren’t mutually exclusive, and our recent growth is proof of that. We’ve grown our headcount by 42% since January 1st, we’re forecasting 40% revenue growth this year, and we now have employee-owners across 22 states. We’ve also deepened relationships with existing clients while welcoming new healthcare clients like Madrigal Pharmaceuticals and Xenon Pharmaceuticals. And, most recently, we were proud to serve as a founding partner behind the Ad Context Protocol (AdCP), which is a new open standard that enables AI agents to exchange context and orchestrate buying across ad platforms. It’s an exciting step forward for the industry and a reflection of the type of future-focused innovation that defines our organization.
At the end of the day, I feel very fortunate to be part of an organization that’s delivering exceptional results for our clients and redefining what it means to build a purpose-driven business at scale.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities that have helped shape my journey and personal development are emotional intelligence, having the courage to challenge, and embracing a purpose-driven mindset:
Emotional intelligence has been a foundational part of my own personal and professional growth. Recognizing what’s said (and unsaid) and being able to respond with empathy are skills that I consider necessary for all leaders today because they open the floor for trust and collaboration. And I think emotional intelligence really is at the root of those skills. Emotional intelligence is how I know to take the temperature in the room before speaking, and it plays a significant role in my ability to lead with clarity and compassion. For those early in their journey, my best piece of advice is to practice active listening before driving home your own points. Understanding the ideas and intentions of others around you requires reflection and, frankly, patience, but listening before speaking pays dividends in getting the best possible output from your team.
I think growth rarely happens in comfort zones, so having the courage to challenge has been equally important in getting me to where I am today. Some of the most meaningful progress I’ve experienced has come from my willingness to question outdated processes, challenge legacy systems, and bring uncomfortable truths to the table. I’ve found that the most innovative ideas come from poking holes in what’s in front of you. If you don’t push the boundaries a bit, you may never realize the ways in which something right in front of you could blossom and transform. My advice for those starting out: challenge with care. Root your courage in purpose and respect. The goal shouldn’t be to disrupt just for disruption’s sake. Always move things forward with the aim of developing something even better.
Embracing a purpose-driven mindset has guided me throughout my entire journey. Working at Butler/Till has only deepened that mindset, and I consider myself very fortunate to be part of a company that puts purpose-driven work at the center of everything we do. As a B Corp, women-owned, employee-owned agency, purpose is embedded in how we lead, partner, and grow on all levels. Being able to show up at work every day feeling inspired by the great work that we do, and witnessing the impact we have on our clients and the industry as a whole first-hand, is what fuels me to bring my best. For anyone early in their career, I’d encourage you to spend time identifying what truly drives you. As I mentioned, purpose and performance don’t need to be mutually exclusive. Combining the two can be the catalyst for long-term success.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Two people come to mind. First, my wife, whom I mentioned earlier. She really is the epitome of servant leadership. She’s shown me the power of presence, patience, and perspective. Her ability to lift others up with ease, without needing recognition in the process, reminds me every day that leading from behind can be just as powerful as being the loudest voice in the room.
Our CEO, Kimberly Jones, has also served as a steady example of what it means to lead with integrity and intention. She’s so gifted at bringing clarity to complex moments while staying calm under pressure – something I admire greatly, considering the rapidly evolving and ever-changing healthcare landscape. We’ve had a tremendous year of growth at the agency, and watching Kimberly play a pivotal role in paving the agency’s success through smart strategy and meaningful impact, all while staying grounded in her values of resilience and dedication to empowering others, inspires me every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://butlertill.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butlertill/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadevito/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
