HEARTS & SCIENCE - Key Persons
Brandon Frese sees Operations as the "ampersand" in Hearts & Science, connecting diverse teams to create seamless client experiences. Known for his inclusive, transparent style, Brandon thrives on working with every department and level, drawing on a lifelong love of collaborating across groups, leveraged to drive meaningful impact and growth across the agency. He's excited about enhancing employee and client journeys by integrating automation, and AI with innovative service models, freeing teams to focus on strategic work.
With over twelve years experience in account management and operations, his career includes roles at Zenith Media, Experian, Ebiquity, and IAS-each enriching his expertise in client services and media strategy. During his eight years at Hearts & Science, Brandon has built three agency disciplines and onboarded more than 17 clients. Known for his "roll-up-his-sleeves" problem-solving, Brandon's collaborative approach helps teams build lasting value. His impact has earned him the Ampersand Science Award and the Kathleen Brookbanks Leadership Award.
Outside of work, Brandon is a devoted pitmaster, perfecting ribs and experimenting with spice blends on his smoker. Raised in Lancaster County, he now enjoys the energy of New York City and brings the same passion that he does for refining recipes, to his workflows at Hearts.
Sam McKnight sees Finance as the connection point within Hearts & Science, aligning client business leads and department heads to support growth. Known for his empathetic leadership, Sam thrives on understanding diverse perspectives to drive sound financial decisions that deliver results.
With nearly 20 years at OMG, Sam's journey from Financial Analyst at OMG to CFO at Hearts & Science reflects his deep expertise in client and P&L management. Over his career, he's received over seven promotions, managed major client finance roles, and led the seamless financial integration of Resolution Media into Hearts & Science.
Sam is passionate about mentoring the next wave of finance leaders, inspired by the supportive mentorship he received throughout his career. Outside work, he enjoys watching his kids compete in sports and perform on stage, trying new recipes for his family and enjoys improving his skills on the golf course.