Brenda Free Man

Updated on: August 4, 2025

Basic Information

Early Life & Education

In 1998, Brenda C. Freeman entered the University of Maryland’s Chemical Engineering school, where women of color were underrepresented. She earned a B.S. in 2002. In Chemical Engineering, she was the only female of color in her cohort and earned a combined M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing. She excelled in thermodynamics and process control as an undergraduate while working on minority engineering committees and interning at top technological businesses. Her technical and business credentials prepared her for a job that combined analytical rigor and creative marketing.

Corporate Marketing Leadership

Throughout her corporate tenure, Brenda leveraged data-driven insights and cross-functional collaboration to elevate global consumer and media brands.

• PepsiCo / Frito-Lay (2004–2007): Transitioned from engineering to consumer marketing, overseeing national snack campaigns that increased market share by 4.5% over three years.
• Viacom / MTV Networks (2007–2012): As Group Vice President of Affiliate Marketing, she negotiated carriage deals across 150 cable operators, driving a 12% increase in affiliate revenue.
• National Geographic Channel (2012–2016): Promoted to EVP & CMO, she led cross-platform branding efforts, digital strategy rollouts, and major content partnerships that grew viewership by 18%.
• Magic Leap (2016–2019): Recruited to define go-to-market strategy for pioneering augmented-reality headsets, overseeing global brand positioning and launch campaigns in 25 countries.

Entrepreneurial & Advisory Ventures

Brenda transitioned from corporate leadership to guiding startups and consumer brands in rapid-growth phases.

• Joyeux Marketing Group (2018–present): Provides end-to-end brand strategy, digital transformation roadmaps, and performance marketing execution for tech and consumer clients.
• Arteza LLC (2020–2021): As CEO, she drove a 150% increase in e-commerce revenue, optimized supply-chain logistics, and secured placement in 3,000+ retail outlets.
• Advisory & Mentorship (2021–present): Serves as strategic advisor to performance-marketing firms and mentors founders across categories from ed-tech to direct-to-consumer retail.

Public & Private Board Service

Brenda’s governance roles span technology, retail, and education sectors, reflecting her expertise in brand growth and digital transformation.

• Avnet Board (since 2018): Member of Compensation & Leadership Development and Corporate Governance Committees; holds approximately 31,327 share equivalents under non-employee director plans.
• WM Technology (since 2021): Lead Independent Director with roughly 432,692 shares valued near $399,000 as of August 4, 2025.
• Blue Apron (2020–2023): Guided product-market fit and digital marketing prior to its transition to a private company in November 2023.

Recent Public Disclosures & Engagements

• January 3, 2025 (SEC Form 4): Reported ongoing Avnet shareholdings and committee assignments, reflecting continuity in her governance role.
• June 18, 2025: Credited with 199 Phantom Stock Units at Avnet, bringing total beneficial ownership to 31,327 share equivalents.
• June 2025: Presented at the Goldman Sachs Corporate Director Symposium, emphasizing continuous learning and board effectiveness.

Awards & Recognitions

• Directors to Watch 2023 by Directors & Boards magazine.
• Named among Top Women in Media (2018).
• Honored as one of the Most Powerful Women in Entertainment (2019–2021).

FAQ

Who is Brenda Free Man?

Brenda C. Freeman is a seasoned marketing executive and board director who has led brand strategy at National Geographic Channel and Magic Leap before founding her own advisory firm.

What is her educational background?

She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.B.A. in Finance & Marketing from the University of Maryland, graduating in 2002 as the only female person of color in her cohort.

Which corporations did she lead?

She served as CMO of National Geographic Channel (2012–2016) and Magic Leap (2016–2019), and held senior marketing roles at PepsiCo, Viacom/MTV Networks, DreamWorks Animation, and Turner Broadcasting.

What businesses has she started?

She founded Joyeux Marketing Group in 2018 and served as CEO of Arteza LLC from 2020 to 2021, driving brand growth and e-commerce expansion.

Does she serve on any boards?

Yes, she is a board director at Avnet, Inc., Caleres Inc., WM Technology, Inc., and has advisory roles at Blue Apron (private), SCAD, and Herman Miller Inc.

Do her family updates exist?

She maintains a private personal life and no public family updates have been reported as of April 2025.

References