Dynamic Duos: ‘I would follow her into a burning building’
In this week’s Dynamic Duos, we hear from We Are Social’s APAC CEO Suzie Shaw, and Australian MD Kelly Spence.
In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each week asks two colleagues with a professional and personal affiliation to share with readers the importance of workplace relationships in an increasingly hybridised world of work.
Suzie Shaw:
Kelly and I first crossed paths nearly fourteen years ago at Host. I was CEO, and Kelly was running the Tourism WA account. We were friendly, though we didn’t work all that closely together at the time. Not long after, I got a call from Mark Green at The Monkeys asking if he should hire her as a GAD. It was a great step up for Kelly, so I said, “Absolutely – you’ve got yourself a good one”.
Fast forward nearly five years, and I’d taken the reins at We Are Social – then still a scrappy, fast-growing agency in Australia. We’d just landed Samsung’s global influencer business, a huge win, and Kelly was at a career crossroads. She didn’t want to commit to a permanent role, so she came on as a freelancer to help us wrestle this big piece of business to the ground. That was seven years ago – and she never left.
Since then, we’ve worked incredibly closely and really come to know each other. In many ways, we’re similar: we both love the industry, get energised by great work and fresh talent, and thrive on driving growth and getting things done.
But where we differ is where our partnership really works. I’m naturally analytical – I like to explore all angles and make considered decisions. Kelly, on the other hand, doesn’t sweat the small stuff. She’s gut-driven, moves quickly, and is highly decisive. Sometimes her pace makes me a bit anxious, but it’s taught me that often a decision – even if imperfect – is better than indecision.
We balance each other through very open communication; we’re constantly comparing notes, and there’s a deep trust and respect between us. Kelly is also more high-energy and high-impact than me. She’s larger than life, and her team thrives under her leadership. I truly admire the way she invests in building a strong, positive culture – something that benefits everyone.
Over time, I’ve been so impressed by how she’s grown. She’s incredibly bright and a fast learner. Sometimes I feel like I have nothing left to teach her – and truthfully, there are days when she’s outsmarting me.
Kelly Spence:
Like Suzie said, we first met years ago at Host, when she was CEO and I had just returned from New York as an account director, still a little unsettled and trying to find my place back in Sydney. Back then, and to some extent still, I was a bit impetuous, but over the years, Suzie’s more measured nature has definitely rubbed off on me.
We are very different in many ways, but bonded by our core values and a shared perspective of the world. Like any great partnership, you need someone who feels a bit like a coach, pushing you, challenging you, but always wanting you to win. For me, that’s been Suzie.
I’m not someone who often looks back, but I do reflect on the lessons and people who’ve left their mark on me. I’ve been lucky to learn from great leaders, entrepreneurs, visionaries, and forces of nature, taking lessons and habits from each along the way. Suzie, though, seems to encapsulate all of them and then some.
She has a rare ability to be visionary while staying grounded in the day-to-day. She can sweat the small stuff without ever losing sight of the bigger picture. She’s there with you in delivery, while already looking ahead to what’s next. And somehow, she still makes time for everyone, all while being a great mother, wife, and friend.
Her defining trait, though, is this: whether you’re a colleague, client, or friend, Suzie truly sees you. She is present, engaged, and will do everything she can to help you move forward. That sets the tone for how we engage with clients, lead our teams, and shape the culture of the agency. We’re a collection of bright, ambitious, and wonderfully individual people, united by a shared desire to do great work. A little microcosm of the internet, but all the best parts.
We always talk about being future-fit, and I’ve never seen a time of change move so fast. We’re experiencing significant growth, and as Suzie would say, the wind is at our back. Yet I think she underestimates the strength of the foundations she’s built, foundations that make us ready for today and even more agile for whatever comes next.
I recently gave a speech for Suzie’s 10th anniversary at We Are Social and said I would follow her into a burning building. I meant it.
Suzie on Kelly:
Most memorable moment with Kelly: When Kelly told me she was going to have a baby, I was overcome with joy, knowing just how much her life would change, for the absolute best. And it did.
Best word to describe her: The best way to describe Kelly? A force (for good).
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: Kelly’s signature phrase, “let’s smash it out”, that’s how she does things.
Kelly on Suzie:
Most memorable moment with Suzie: It’s the little moments, the things she says. I get them at the time, but often months or even years later, I truly grasp their depth.
Best word to describe her: My greatest teacher (both professionally and personally).
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: “Keep your ego in your back pocket”. That’s sage advice, and it’s exactly how she rolls, always playing the long game.
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