Leadership doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s shaped through conversation, shared experience, and the communities we build together.

That belief is why Social Driver is proud to serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the American Marketing Association DC Chapter’s Executive Marketing Leadership Circle (EMLC), an invitation-only peer network connecting senior marketing and communications leaders across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.

The EMLC brings together CMOs and executive-level marketers from nonprofits, government, associations, universities, and corporations with a simple but powerful goal: create a trusted space where experienced leaders can talk candidly, learn from one another, and navigate the challenges shaping modern marketing.

A community built for real leadership conversations

Today’s marketing leaders are navigating rapid change. AI is reshaping how content is created and consumed. Audiences expect authenticity, transparency, and purpose. Trust is harder to earn and easier to lose. These challenges are complex, and they’re rarely solved in isolation.

Inside the Executive Marketing Leadership Circle, leaders don’t have to face them alone.

The EMLC is designed to bring people with different backgrounds, industries, and lived experiences into the same room. That diversity fuels better thinking. A nonprofit leader may offer perspective that reframes a corporate challenge. A tech executive may spark an idea that resonates in higher education or government. When ideas move freely, everyone benefits.

The focus isn’t on polished presentations or surface-level networking. It’s on honest dialogue, shared problem-solving, and learning from peers who are navigating similar pressures.

Why Social Driver is investing in this circle

“At Social Driver, we believe leadership is about convening people, not just broadcasting ideas,” said Anthony Shop, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver. “The Executive Marketing Leadership Circle reflects what we value most: thoughtful dialogue, diverse perspectives, and relationships that help leaders navigate complexity together.”

As Presenting Sponsor, Social Driver is helping expand access to this community through exclusive CMO-only events, private gatherings tied to AMA signature programs, and opportunities for leaders to connect beyond their usual circles.

This isn’t about putting our name on something. It’s about showing up as partners in the room.

We participate in these conversations to listen, to learn, and to better understand what leaders and their audiences need right now. We contribute ideas around digital transformation, inclusive storytelling, accessibility, and trust. Not as answers, but as starting points for deeper discussion.

A space for reflection, curiosity, and connection

One of the most meaningful aspects of the EMLC is the space it creates for reflection. In a world driven by deadlines and constant output, leaders rarely get the chance to slow down and think together.

Inside the circle, leadership isn’t defined by titles or campaign counts. It’s defined by curiosity, humility, and a willingness to keep learning. Leaders ask questions. They share what’s working and what isn’t. They explore how to communicate with more clarity, care, and purpose.

That mindset aligns deeply with Social Driver’s values. We believe great marketing starts with understanding people. It’s why we champion accessibility, inclusive storytelling, and collaboration over competition. The EMLC reflects those same principles back to us.

Building something that lasts

As the Executive Marketing Leadership Circle grows, the impact of these conversations will extend far beyond the room. The ideas exchanged will influence how organizations approach AI, build trust in a fragile information environment, and design communication that truly serves their communities.

Supporting the EMLC is part of Social Driver’s ongoing commitment to strengthening leadership, expanding access, and creating spaces where meaningful connection can happen.

We’re proud to be rooted in Washington, DC and deeply connected to the DMV marketing community. Leadership grows stronger when it’s shared. Through the Executive Marketing Leadership Circle, we’re helping build a community that will shape the future of marketing in the region for years to come.

For more information on the EMLC or to inquire about membership, visit AMADC's EMLC website.