2025 AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARD JUDGES
Thank you!
Jane Goldman
Creative Director/Owner at JBG Creative
Jane Goldman is an award-winning creative leader with 25+ years of experience transforming global brands through strategic storytelling. From crafting celebrated campaigns at top agencies for brands like Dunkin', NFL, and UNICEF, to pioneering in-house creative transformations at Au Bon Pain and Citizens Bank, she consistently delivers work that drives business impact. Goldman remains dedicated to pushing creative boundaries while mentoring emerging talent. A frequent judge for creative awards programs across local, regional, and global stages, she brings both strategic vision and bi-coastal perspective to evaluating groundbreaking work. When not advancing creative excellence, she explores new destinations with her husband Chris and their dog River.
Brett Essman
Creative Director at Preston Spire
Brett believes in the power of ideas. It doesn’t matter if it’s TV, print, a social post, event, OOH, or the latest trend on TikTok, all well-crafted campaigns start with a simple idea. He’s worked at agencies both big and small in Minneapolis, Chicago and Portland, Maine making advertising campaigns that don’t seem like advertising. Brett has won Ad Age 2024 Campaign of the Year (which he will receive in a Boston ceremony on July 24). He has also won multiple national and international awards in just the past year for clients such as Change the Ref, MN Alliance on Problem Gambling, and Mass General Brigham Health Plan. He has also created award-winning work for Trolli, Hefty, Klondike, Twin Cities Marathon, Great Clips, the Minnesota Lottery and others.
Nikhil Ghodke
Professor at Auburn University/Freelance Graphic Designer
Nikhil teaches graphic design at Auburn University and has a global freelance design practice. His clients include Turner TV (USA), Sky TV (New Zealand), VH1 (India), Comedy Central (India), and ABP News (India). He has previously worked for Y&R (now VMLYR), Colenso BBDO, and Lowe Lintas ad agencies. In the past, he taught at Manhattanville College in New York and Media Design School in New Zealand. He has created projects for Nike, ACI, Hallmark, History Channel, Home Shopping Network, Axcient, and Burger King during the past 15 years, and he has received recognition for his efforts. He lives in Montgomery with his wife and two small children and is a passionate traveler who has been to 25 different countries. He frequently judges for the American Advertising Federation and is a board member for SECAC annual conferences.