Caley Cantrell is the Strategy Chair at the Virginia Commonwealth University Brandcenter, one of the nation’s most prestigious advertising graduate programs and portfolio schools. During Caley’s time with the VCU Brandcenter, the program has been named the #1 graduate advertising program in the country by Creativity magazine and has been awarded the 4A’s O’Toole Award for Creative Excellence.

Prior to transitioning from adjunct faculty to full-time faculty, Caley built an impressive resume working for such prestigious agencies as JWT and The Martin Agency. Her leadership position at the VCU Brandcenter blends her experience in the ad world with academic rigors, to challenge current graduate students in the program. She has worked with student teams on projects for Goodwill Industries, Audi of America, C-K, The Ritz-Carlton, Lexus, Tribeca Film Festival, Oreo and the Department of Defense.

Caley has been a consistent donor to the VCU Brandcenter for more than five years, including making gifts to fund annual scholarships and designating the Brandcenter in her estate plans. In 2014, she took her commitment to her students one step further and endowed a scholarship for students in the school’s strategy track.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Caley has served on the Board of Directors of Goodwill of Central Virginia, as well as Connor’s Heroes, a group that works to support families battling childhood cancer.