It’s a funny thing starting a new job during a global pandemic. Your first day at the office is still just you at your dining room table, only the Zoom attendees have changed. But lookout or Mai might steal your Zoom background and place herself in your apartment (you’ve been warned).

Mai Prasertbodin, Chia-Ying Lin, and Dezeree Castillo have all recently joined BBMG’s team as Junior Strategist, Junior Designer, and Junior Account Manager, respectively. Who are these young talents, you may ask? Let’s get to know them in 4 quick questions.

Who has had the strongest influence on you and shaped who you are today?

Chia, Dez and Mai all acknowledged the impact of the women in their families. Dezeree’s mom, aunts and grandma instilled in her the idea that “if you put your mind to it, you can do anything you want,” giving her the motivation to dream big. 

Mai looked up to her sister Pear to the point of mimicking how she dressed and what she ate. “As time went by, we did not realize we became each other’s best friends,” says Mai. “She is brave, hardworking and full of love. In the back of my mind, she inspires me in so many ways I can’t even explain.” (She also wanted to give a shout to her other three siblings: “Mona, Nieny and Kuma, I love you guys!”)

Chia names her mom’s strong, problem-solving personality with shaping who she is. “She brings me positivity,” says Chia, who also credits her mom for putting up with her childhood obsession with Neil Buchanan’s “Art Attack” – another strong influence on Chia as a young artist.

Describe in five words the future you want:

“Compassionate. Green. Conscious. Grounded. Innovative,” says Dezeree.

“Fun. Better. Innovative. Balance. Creative,” says Chia.

“Reunite humans with their humanity,” is Mai’s call to action.

What is the role of brands and design in creating the future you want?

“Brands need to hold each other accountable,” says Dezeree, who also believes her generation – Gen Z – will call them out. And when it comes to social justice, equity, and sustainability, they should use their platforms for bigger outreach. “If they have the power, why not use it for good?” She sees brands like Rothy’s, Pact apparel, and Patagonia really leading the way in that regard.

Mai thinks brands need to feel the love and share the love. Because love is what the world needs most of all. “When people are working for the brands that they love, they spread the love forward. They grow communities. They pass on the culture. They tell stories. Once the brand is being loved, people will listen to what the brands say.” For instance she sees that love and passion in the friendliness of Trader Joe’s staff and the pride in employees at Nike. “You would see sales staff at Nike saying the same thing as what the CEO would say when they talk about their brand.” Mai’s own brand love includes Entireworld (RIP!!) whose founding ethos changed the way she thinks about clothes. “The brand helped me to rethink clothing and continue limiting the number of clothes I need.”

For brands – or anyone – shaping the future, Chia believes design is definitely the main “tool” to create a fun, innovative, better, and creative tomorrow. “I still remember when I was in college we were discussing the topic: ‘what is design?’ And I don’t think we have an answer for that. Maybe design is something that can change people’s lifestyle and make their life better.” Some of Chia’s favorite brands are those that use innovation and creativity to bring people together. “I love how Nike is crazy in using design as a tool to express their voice. They break the rules everyday. I also love how Airbnb sees themselves as a platform for the audience to tell their stories.”

What role do YOU hope to play in creating the future you’ve described?

Dezeree hopes to be a bigger participant in making our future better for the collective. “Whether it be social justice, animal rights, sustainable practices, I want to be involved even if it’s a small role. I want to speak out more, raise and uplift marginalized voices, create communities that are safe spaces and promote inclusivity, and empower others to do the same.”

“I like the idea that strategists can shape cultures,” says Mai. “Our job is to ask questions and address problems and create impact in partnership with our clients.” And doing this will require helping brands reconnect with the meaning of being human, “with a glimpse of fun, of course,” she adds.

If design is Chia’s tool, then what does that make her? “I think I will be a screw. The tool needs the screw to operate otherwise it’s not gonna work,” she says. “And it can create something beautiful and useful. However, the screw can be replaced with another new screw when the old one is old enough. So the design tool can be passed along to the next generation.”

We’re thrilled to welcome these women to our team, and we hope you get to meet them soon and maybe even change the world with them.