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Hello!  I'm Zara.

I lead global creative teams to deliver breakthrough work that people actually care about.

 

From scaling creative departments to steering multi-million dollar projects, I build high performing creative teams that punch well above their weight. The results speak for themself; viral campaigns that doubled product sales and landed on D&AD and Cannes shortlists.

 

My approach is simple: engage play as part of the process and carve out space for risk to unearth ideas that hijack culture, all whilst moving fast enough to actually land in conversation. I’m a natural storyteller with a killer strategic instinct for what resonates.

 

I thrive best when navigating the messy middle: turning ambiguity into clarity and translating dense data into human-first campaigns. I turn sparks into fully fledged work that connects with real people. Where others see chaos, I see momentum. 

 

Fluent in creative and corporate, I've earned my seat in both the brainstorm and the boardroom. I help teams push the work further, then navigate the politics to get it endorsed, funded, and actually made.

 

I get stuff done, while keeping it human. If you're building something at the intersection of culture and creativity, I should be in the room. ​Let's talk.

Education + Qualifications
Google Digital Garage:
Fundamentals of Digital Marketing 

University of Dundee:
BDes Graphic Design (1st Class)

Politecnico di Milano
Erasmus Exchange

University of Dundee:
General Foundation
Selected
Experience
 
2023-25 Google Creative Lab
2023: Push Group
2022: Agency Twenty Three
2020-22: ROK Agency 
2020: UNIT 9 
2018-19: Campus Group
2019: Nevis Design 
2018: Contagious
2018: Nevis Design 
2018: Story UK

2015-18: Various Freelance 
Awards + 
Accolades
Press +
Exhibitions
2025: Southwark Times
2019: D&AD New Blood Festival
2019: DJCAD 
2019: The Scotsman Newspaper
2015: Project Trust 
2025: Cannes Lions SHORTLIST
2025: D&AD SHORTLIST
2019: International Society of Typographic Designers MERIT
2019: Dundee Global Plus Award WINNER
2019: Dundee Plus Award RECIPIENT
2019: Creative Conscience Award SHORTLIST
2018: Scottish Marketing Society Creative Young Star FINALIST
IN GOOD COMPANY
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© 2026 Zara Elmi. All rights reserved.

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