Our Leadership Team

Sophie Kelly has had a colorful career in advertising spanning more than two decades and multiple continents. She has established herself among industry peers as a professional troublemaker for change, known for her passion and unapologetic belief that creativity, culture and purpose have the power to transform brand marketing, communications and build the world’s most beloved brands.

In July 2023, Sophie was appointed as Senior Vice President of Global Tequila at DIAGEO to lead a new team responsible for driving growth and transformation of DIAGEO’s agave brands around the world, such as Tequila Don Julio and Casamigos Tequila. She first joined DIAGEO in 2016 as the Senior Vice President of the industry-leading Whisk(e)y portfolio in North America. Under her leadership, she built a high-performing and diverse team which propelled the growth of some of the most iconic and dynamic brands in the Whisk(e)y category. As the head of Global Tequila, Sophie’s maverick spirit will continue to be the driving force behind boundary pushing initiatives that reinforce DIAGEO’s corporate values and represent her commitment to create positive impact with the communities her brands serve.

Over her career, Sophie has dedicated herself to being immersed in and inspiring innovative marketing approaches as a board member for the Ad Council, The Advertising Club of New York and Brand Innovators, and is an active member of The Female Quotient, AdColor, the Association of National Advertisers, and Out of Home Advertising Association of America. Her commitment to champion an agenda of sustainability, inclusivity, and diversity across her brands, teams and agency partners has led her to be recognized as a “Top 100 Women in Marketing” by Brand Innovators, a “40 Over 40” honoree by Campaign US and invited to judge leading industry awards, such as Cannes Lions, Effie, and Clio Awards.