Jean Freeman

Jean Freeman is the Principal and CEO of Zambezi. The creatively driven, award-winning agency is one of the largest certified female-owned businesses in both the advertising industry and Los Angeles.

During her time at the agency, Jean has successfully grown Zambezi from a startup to a thriving business with a focus on creating tailored solutions that propels brands forward, and nurturing an agency culture of supportive collaboration. With Jean at the helm, Zambezi has attracted a number of blue chip clients including The TaylorMade Golf Company, The Coca-Cola Company, PayPal/Venmo, and Ultimate Software, been named Small Agency of the Year by Advertising Age twice, and been recognized as one of the “Largest Women-Owned Businesses” by the Los Angeles Business Journal three times. In 2017, Jean was included on Adweek’s “Disruptors List” as well as on the 4A’s “100 People Who Make Advertising Great.”

A leading advocate for the advancement of women business leaders, Jean’s commitment to teaching women the skills to run and grow a business and thrive in their own leadership positions has led her to be a part of a number of female-focused initiatives, including serving on the MAKERS, The 3% Movement and the Los Angeles Chapter Entrepreneurs Organization advisory boards, as well as serving as an instructor for 4As’ educational programs. Jean was recognized with the “3 Cheers Award” from The 3% Conference, and named a “Working Mother of the Year” by She Runs It for the positive example she sets as an accomplished working mother, and the progressive programs she has created at Zambezi to support working parents and their families.

Jean is a frequent op-ed contributor on issues ranging from women in the workplace to leadership to building and maintaining a sustainable business. She also plays a central role in leading her family’s privately held $100MM personal planner business, Blue Sky.