The Compass Career Guide Network
Sometimes the best way to explore a new path is to learn from someone who has already traveled it.
Explore roles, industries, and career possibilities through Guide interviews, career stories, and live conversations. When you need more personalized perspective, you can also book an optional, separately paid private session with a participating Guide.
I’ve built my career helping people find the right conversations, this is how I bring that access into Compass.
Why this exists
Networking shouldn't be based on outreach and a hope
Most people know conversations matter in a career. Knowing who to contact, getting a response, and knowing what to ask is the hard part.
The Compass Career Guide Network gives you a more intentional starting point — a curated group of professionals who've agreed to share honest insight into their work, careers, and industries. Real conversations, real answers, without the cold outreach.
Real-World Perspective for Every Part of Your Journey
Adventure
Explore possibilities through real people
Research roles, industries, and paths through people who understand them from the inside. Ask better questions, challenge your assumptions.
Mindset
Learn from honest career stories
Hear how people have navigated uncertainty, pivots, setbacks, and evolving ideas of what meaningful work looks like — and reflect on your own.
Pathfinding
Make stronger decisions and take action
Use what you learn to prepare for interviews, evaluate opportunities, and decide your next move.
How It Works
Step 1: Know what you want to learn
Use MAP, Office Hours, or your current career question to figure out who or what you need to understand.
Step 2: Browse the Guides
Explore by function, industry, career stage, and area of experience.
Step 3: Book, then bring it back
Active members can book private sessions inside Compass. Bring what you learn back to the community and your MAP work.
Meet the Compass Career Guides
Professionals who've built careers, hired talent, led teams, and navigated their own pivots — here to help you understand yours.
Meg Douglass: Head of Brand & Creative | Award-Winning Brand Builder Ex: Tonal, Huge
Meg has built and led brands and creative teams across agency and in-house environments. Members can learn from her perspective on brand strategy, creative leadership, team building, and navigating a senior-level creative career.
Topics: Brand strategy · Creative leadership · In-house careers
30-minute private sessions available to active members
Steve Fogel: Executive Creative Director, Highdive NY
Rachel Lee Walsh: Creative, Advertising, Marketing Recruiter - Electronic Arts,
Jonathan Cude: CCO TBC Ex Mckinney, W+K
Rachel Frederick: Freelance Creative Director/AD (ex Droga5, BBDO, JL)
Daniela Vojta: Founder, CCO. House of Rabbits! | Mentor & Advisor | Leading Innovation & Creativity | Championing Women
Leslie Ali: Global Creative Director | AI-fluent Brand & Product Builder
Amber Justis :Head of Social Creative, VaynerX LA & VaynerMedia LATAM
Jill Applebaum: Chief Creative Officer | Executive Creative Leader | ex Meta,
Tom Scharpf: Freelance Quality Meats, Preacher, 72andSunny, The Martin Agency, Arts & Letters, Venables Bell, etc. VCU Professor Strategy
Tom Sebanc: Creative Director & Writer ➤ Former W+K, Apple, Fallon, McKinney, Carmichael Lynch
Jen Pao: Head of Brand and Creative Ops Chime
Jason Holzman Creative & Brand Strategy Leader
Former NBCUniversal / Macy’s
Andy Chang: Brand Marketing + Account Management
Laura Patterson : Executive Producer PS 260
Serena Connelly: Executive Creative Director | Experiential Events & Brand Strategy | AI-Integrated Creative Practice
Two Ways to Learn from Career Guides
Included with membership: recorded Guide interviews, candid career stories, live group conversations, the searchable Guide Library, and Q&A during select live events.
When you want something more personal: active members can book a private session — to understand a role, prep for an interview, get perspective on a pivot, or just get an honest read from someone who's been there. Private sessions are paid separately; each Guide sets their own rate and availability.
Don't Just Get the Meeting. Make the Meeting Matter.
Access alone doesn't create a useful professional relationship. Preparation does. Compass helps you get clear on what you want to learn, walk in ready, and follow up in a way that builds a real relationship — not just a meeting.
Build Your Career Through Better Conversations
Compass gives you the clarity, tools, and real-world perspective to navigate the whole journey. Join to learn from the Career Guide Network, prepare for conversations that actually matter, and get ongoing support turning what you discover into action.
Built on Paying It Forward
Paying it forward is at the heart of who I am and how I work. I've built my career making introductions, opening doors, and connecting people who need help with people who can help. I've seen what can happen when someone has the right conversation at the right time, clarity, confidence, momentum, sometimes an entirely new sense of possibility.
The Bridge Fund
Private Guide Sessions are paid separately. As membership and the Inner Circle grow, the Bridge Fund helps make Compass memberships and Guide Sessions available to people who need them. It's one more way of keeping that same spirit of paying it forward alive — for anyone trying to break in.
“If you work in advertising and aren’t talking to Sam, you’re missing out. She’s like an ad world Yoda. Over the years, Sam has been a sounding board, a trusted advisor, a source of sharp insight, and someone I’ve leaned on for honest advice when I’ve needed it most. She just gets it—the industry, the people, the nuance. Whether you’re job hunting, navigating a tricky professional moment, or just need a smart take on something, Sam is your career’s secret weapon.”
Steve Fogel Group Executive Creative Director HighDive
FAQs
Are Career Guide interviews and group conversations included in membership?
Yes — interviews, stories, and live group conversations are part of Compass membership. Private 1:1 sessions are optional and paid separately.
Can I book a private Guide session without joining Compass?
Each Guide sets their own rate and format. Most run $100–$250 for a 60-minute session. Rates and availability are visible to active members inside Compass.
How much do private sessions cost?
No — private sessions are available exclusively to active Compass members. You can browse the network here first, then book once you join.