Founder and Creative Director of Camp Wandawega, a National Register boutique hotel & lifestyle brand recognized by Fodor’s “Best Hotel in the USA” & Travel & Leisure “Greatest Hotels in the World.” Host to creatives like Gillian Jacobs, Jemaine Clement, Audrina Patridge, Michael Cera, Corinne Bailey Rae, Sophia Bush, Nate Berkus, & more. As former SVP & Global Group Creative Director at advertising agency Ogilvy, Tereasa is an expert at crafting stories for global brands. She’s created immersive entertainment experiences across the world, and now consults directly with her own select roster of clients, helping them to amplify the power of their brands. Her Wandawega work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, to the New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Magnolia Network, MTV, NBC, & beyond. Author of three books by Penguin, Random House, & Hearst, she counsels aspiring authors on process - from idea to pitch to published. With over 20 licensing deals, products, and partnerships with brands from GANT to Crate & Barrel. Anthropologie to Hamm's Beer. And Pendleton to TopDrawer. She now plays host for creative retreats for brands like Shinola, Trek, Lululemon, Instagram, Patagonia, and Jim Beam.
I own camp Wandawega with my husband. We use it as a creative playground to make creative products with cool people and brands. And I’ve always been drawn to creative problem-solving, which is why my career has taken me down so many different paths. From graphic design to writing books to my current post as “reluctant innkeeper”. I’ve just embraced opportunities that are challenging and let me blend different passions. I didn’t set out to diversify for the sake of it—it just happened because each role and project has felt like a fun next step in my journey, helping me stay curious about what’s possible."
A general life approach I picked up from my dad growing up in the country: grit, work ethic, and an absolute unwillingness to give up will get you further than anything. I learned early on to use the naysayers as fuel. Instead of letting negativity hold me back, I channel it into motivation, using others' doubt to prove what’s possible. I transitioned from 25 years in my global creative role in advertising after realizing I was ready for a new challenge. As Wandawega grew and new business opportunities popped up, I found a deeper sense of fulfillment (by every definition). Stepping away from the corporate world allowed me to shift my focus toward creating culture, rather than just adapting it to sell products. Another thing that has consistently helped me is to ignore good counsel. The best advice I never took came from an old boss, who advised me to "stick with what I know" as an art director and not try to write. Ignoring that advice led me to publish three books. The bigger lesson in that experience is that stepping outside your comfort zone can be your biggest personal growth driver.
I admire Ray Eames so much. As a pioneering designer, she combined art, architecture, and innovation in ways that still influence design today. Her work, like the iconic Lounge Chair (also our favorite at home), showcased her ability to blend beauty with functionality. Ray’s ability to push boundaries while remaining deeply authentic to her own vision is something I deeply respect.
For better or worse, and as obvious as it sounds, I have to admit that I can’t remember life before my iPhone. It’s basically my brain, my personal assistant, my therapist, editor, and snack distributor—all in one. It’s an indispensable tool for creativity, helping me capture and develop ideas for projects in real time. In today’s world, where time is vapor, it keeps me immersed in the pulse of culture as it shifts.
It’s not a trend by any stretch, but AI is the big thing I’m most excited about this year because it’s transforming every industry, unlocking new possibilities for creativity and efficiency. In the last 16 months, it’s literally transformed the way I create, research, and explore. Early adoption of technology in creative fields isn't just about staying ahead—it’s about unlocking new dimensions of possibility that redefine what's possible in art, innovation, and expression. As they say, "Early adopters lead, late adopters follow."
The HBR Emotional Intelligence Series changed my life. They share the human side of professional life from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Quick reads that share insights on resilience, empathy, focus, and more. My favorite is Purpose, Meaning + Passion. It’s the book I gift the most because it helped me the most. The series completely shifted how I think and work—it taught me the practical tools and mindset shifts that have helped me take on more risks.
