I’m Jake Engel – a strategist, researcher, writer, and speaker.
I’ve spent my career building brands, studying the people behind them, and finding better ways to connect the two. My work spans brand and creative strategy, consumer research, customer experience, culture, and growth – with a particular obsession for financial services.
I write and speak about what I’ve learned, what I’m still figuring out, and the ideas I think are worth stealing.
Professional Speaking
Financial Brand Forum – Las Vegas, NV
Accelerating Growth Through Hyper-Local Market Entry Strategies
Shared the story of how Financial Center entered a fast-growing former small town – and the hyper-local strategy that helped turn a new branch into a community presence.
Digital Marketing for Financial Services Conference – San Francisco, CA
How to Unmute the Human Voices Behind Your Brand
Explored how brands can give employees the confidence and freedom to become advocates – creating a more human, authentic way to tell their story.
American Marketing Association
The Secret Equation Behind Every Great Brand
Led an interactive workshop exploring a simple equation – brand + culture = reputation – and how marketers can intentionally shape all three.
University of Indianapolis
The Art & Science of Being Remembered
Showed students how data, creativity, and human behavior come together to build brands people actually notice, remember, and choose.
Professional Writing
Creative Writing
Additional Writing
