Change-Maker Spotlight: A Q&A with Lindsey Johnson, AdExchanger Top Women in Media & Ad Tech Honoree

Writer: Cathryn Lamb
Date: October 21, 2026

At Simpli.fi, our location intelligence and programmatic solutions drive real-world results, but it’s our people who build the engine behind our success.

Recently, AdExchanger named Lindsey Johnson, Vice President of Client Success – Channel, a 2026 Top Women in Media & Ad Tech Honoree in the Change-Makers: Team Leadership category. What makes this honor so special is how it came about. Her team and colleagues pulled together behind the scenes to nominate her for her mentorship, operational leadership, and unwavering advocacy for her people.

Lindsey has grown her career at Simpli.fi over many years, so she has seen firsthand how our company has expanded, evolved, and held its market leadership. We sat down with her to talk about her career path, how our culture has stayed strong through years of growth, and what she’s most excited about as we look ahead.

The Honoree Moment & Team Connection

Congratulations on being named an AdExchanger Top Women in Media & Ad Tech Honoree! Your colleagues and team initiated this nomination behind the scenes. What was your reaction when you found out?

Lindsey: I couldn’t believe it. It took a moment to register! I was genuinely surprised that they saw me this way and went out of their way to nominate me. I stay so focused on day-to-day execution and long-term goals that I simply wasn’t expecting it. I thought to myself, “If they see me this way, maybe I should remind myself to see myself this way, too.”

What an honor. Their recognition was the real prize. I always strive to support my team and make a positive impact, and this was a meaningful reminder of just how much every single person’s effort matters.

The “Change-Makers” category celebrates leaders who empower their teams and drive meaningful impact. How would you describe your approach to leadership and supporting your people day to day?

Lindsey: My leadership style comes down to listening, staying curious, and helping people bring their best ideas to life. Every day, I try to celebrate wins, give feedback in the moment, and keep an open mind to my team’s experiences.

In the past, I put this into practice by creating an open door for new ideas, whether through brainstorming sessions or when someone brought an idea directly to me and the directors. When a great idea came up that people were excited about, we set up roundtables with the team members affected by the change so they could help build the solution. This led to better processes, smarter training, and stronger support for our clients, and it gave the team something real to be proud of.

Career at Simpli.fi & Client Success

You’ve worked your way up from early roles to VP of Client Success – Channel. What has kept you at Simpli.fi over the years, and what were a few pivotal moments in your growth?

Lindsey: It’s the people. A pivotal moment came early on, when a colleague, Lauren, asked why I hadn’t applied for an open internal role. I told her I didn’t feel ready. She sat me down, told me I was ready, and showed me the value I brought to the table. She helped me realize I needed to believe in myself. That one conversation gave me the confidence to apply, and I got the job. Having someone take the time to back me changed my entire trajectory here.

The second reason I’ve stayed is the culture of encouragement. There are always opportunities to bring an idea forward and turn it into something that truly impacts the business. Knowing your voice matters makes all the difference.

Client Success is often in the trenches solving complex client and operational challenges. What advice would you give to CS team members or women in tech who want to step into leadership and make a broader strategic impact?

Lindsey: My biggest piece of advice is to know that you have a place at the table, so don’t let self-doubt take over. Your ideas won’t always be selected, and you won’t always have the right answer, but that’s completely fine. Speaking up gets the room thinking toward the best solution.

Beyond that, two things have helped me:

Watch how you talk to yourself. We are often our own worst critics. When I talk to others, I focus on being positive, constructive, and highlighting their wins. We need to give ourselves that same grace in our own heads. Be as kind and supportive to yourself as you would be to a teammate.

Remember it’s the long game. Leadership isn’t about instant results or quick praise. It’s about committing to long-term impact. One day, when you least expect it, someone will tell you how much you helped them or changed their path. That is the most rewarding feeling in the world, and it makes all the hard work worth it.

Watching Simpli.fi Evolve & Maintaining Market Leadership

You’ve seen Simpli.fi grow and scale significantly. From your perspective, how has the company evolved, and how have we stayed an industry leader as ad tech changes?

Lindsey: We truly listen to the people around us. To stay ahead in ad tech, you have to know what actually drives your clients’ business. We actively ask for feedback, and while we love hearing what we’re doing right, we care just as much about asking, “What isn’t working?” and “What more could we do?” Hearing the tough feedback helps us stay grounded, adapt quickly, and continuously evolve to meet our clients’ changing needs.

As a leader involved in internal culture programs like Simpli.Connect, how have you seen our culture stay grounded and supportive as the company has expanded?

Lindsey: Simpli.Connect is a great example of us staying grounded and supportive. It gives different departments a dedicated space to talk, share feedback, and see how big decisions affect everyone across the company.

It has brought teams together by encouraging open conversations and building real understanding between groups that might not work together every day. Programs like this strengthen our culture and collaboration because everything we do stays grounded in the same simple practice: giving people a space to share their thoughts, and truly listening to what they have to say.

Looking Forward & What’s Next

Looking ahead to the rest of 2026 and beyond, what gets you most excited about the future of Client Success, our tech, and the team at Simpli.fi?

Lindsey: I’m most excited about seeing all our hard work come to life. We’ve been working on some amazing products, like Unified Reporting, and it’s so rewarding to finally share them with everyone.

What makes me most confident about our future is that our employees truly help mold our path forward. We continue to ask the hard questions, gather feedback across all levels, and build what’s next based on what our team experiences every day. Seeing our tech evolve directly from our team’s input makes the future at Simpli.fi really exciting.

Join the Team

Congratulations again to Lindsey on this well-deserved recognition. Her story is a reminder that great ad tech is built by people who listen, speak up, and lift each other up along the way.

Want to build your career alongside leaders like Lindsey? Explore open roles at Simpli.fi

 
Curious how our location intelligence and programmatic solutions can drive results for your business? Get in touch at hi@simpli.fi.

Cathryn Lamb PR & Communications Specialist | Simpli.fi Cathryn Lamb is a strategic communications professional skilled in corporate narrative, internal messaging, and PR execution. As a PR & Communications Specialist at Simpli.fi, she manages internal communications, press release launches, executive visibility initiatives, and agency coordination for innovative ad tech solutions. Cathryn brings a strong background in strategic writing, content development, and award submissions, translating company milestones and workplace culture into clear, compelling stories. She excels at blending internal messaging with external PR strategies to elevate brand voice, highlight team achievements, and keep audiences informed. A passionate communicator and story-first marketer, Cathryn is committed to amplifying Simpli.fi’s presence across all internal and external channels.