After over two decades of helping global companies grow what matters most, Philipp Reker founded Milwood Strategy to bring new clarity to the conversation about purpose in business. He has assembled a team of A-list collaborators with deep expertise across all areas of purposeful growth, from leadership and culture to innovation and brand. They’ve each led transformative work for some of the world’s most iconic companies. And now they help leaders, organizations and brands leverage purpose to unlock new growth.
BUILT ON
SHARED PURPOSE
Philipp Reker, Founder, Los Angeles
As Global Vice President of Culture and Transformation at Mattel, Philipp led the company’s purpose transformation journey, laying the foundation for Barbie’s comeback as a cultural icon. In addition, his global career has spanned leadership roles at Mercedes-Benz, DDB Worldwide and Siegel+Gale. His work for companies like Coca-Cola, Sephora, Gap, LG, Zalando, and Continental has demonstrated the power of purpose as a force for business growth and transformation. Philipp is also the co-founder of thought leadership platform PurposefulGrowth.Co where he shares his latest thoughts, and co-author of an upcoming book on the same topic.
Marissa Green, Philadelphia
Marissa has spent the past 20 years helping companies grow by deepening their employees’ connection to what matters most in the organization. She is an expert in using human-centered design to spark organizational transformation and shape positive cultures where employees are clear, focused and engaged to perform at their best. Marissa has helped companies like Sephora, Gap Inc., Pfizer and American Family Insurance translate purpose into results through innovative employee experience approaches and programs, change management, leader workshops and internal communications plans that deepen engagement and performance.
Helen Trickey, London
Having worked all over the world with major brands like adidas, Sephora, Coca Cola, LEGO and the United Nations, Helen dedicates her work to helping companies and brands find their purpose, and turning it into impactful action with genuine cultural, societal and business value. After leading roles at Adage Agencies of the Year Anomaly and Activista, Helen became Managing Partner at purpose consultancy Conspiracy of Love where she oversaw a global team of 70 experts across complex global consulting projects. Helen also worked as a consultant for the United Nations and was the executive producer for the UN’s most watched speech in history.
Chloe Matharu, London
Chloe combines brand, marketing, and inclusion expertise shaped through her work with global leaders such as Apple, Microsoft, P&G, and Sephora. As former Chief Marketing Officer of The Valuable 500, she partnered with 500 of the world’s largest companies to advance disability inclusion and redefine how inclusive business drives growth and cultural relevance. Earlier in her career, she co-founded and led a successful independent creative agency in London, and since 2022, she has been advising brands including Sephora, Zalando, Diageo, and Molson Coors on how to embed inclusion across product design, packaging, and customer experience to build stronger connections with consumers and colleagues alike.
Oliver Janik, Berlin
Over nearly 25 years, Oliver has built a career at the intersection of marketing, strategy, and leadership development. A social science major, he led major strategic programs for brands such as Volkswagen, McDonald's, and Reebok, before joining DDB Group Germany’s leadership team, first as Head of Strategy, then also as Chief People Officer, Chief Operating Officer and ultimately CEO. For his work in transforming Germany’s DDB Group, he received HORIZONT’s prestigious ‘Agency Person of the Year’ Award in 2020. A certified coach since 2009, Oliver left DDB in 2021 to focus on his work in leadership coaching, team development, and transformation.
Marc Sasserath, Berlin
Marc has three decades of experience advising leading organizations on strategy, growth, and transformation. He has held senior leadership roles at some of Europe’s top firms, including Publicis, McCann, BBDO, and UDG, where he helped guide major brands such as Deutsche Telekom, Porsche, and Mastercard through moments of strategic change. A seasoned entrepreneur, Marc has also founded and led multiple consultancies, focused on turning brands into commercial growth engines for ambitious organizations. Known for his strategic clarity, he helps leaders sharpen their point of view, build belief inside and outside the organization, and unlock new avenues for purposeful growth.