Heather Combs
About Heather Combs
Heather Combs serves as the Sr. Director, Head of Brand Strategy & Customer Insights at Adobe, bringing over 20 years of experience in marketing and communications. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership style and her focus on adaptability and authenticity in brand marketing.
Work at Adobe
Heather Combs currently holds the position of Sr. Director, Head of Brand Strategy & Customer Insights at Adobe, a role she has occupied since 2022. In this capacity, she oversees strategy and creative execution for Adobe's brand campaigns, partnerships, and sponsorships. Combs is responsible for cross-business brand strategy efforts for Adobe's $24 billion Interbrand-valued brand. Her previous role at Adobe was as Sr. Director, Head of Brand Strategy from 2019 to 2022. She briefly served as Director of Global Brand Marketing for one month in 2015.
Experience at Visa
Heather Combs has extensive experience at Visa, where she worked in various capacities from 2006 to 2015. She began as Manager of Marketing Web Services from 2006 to 2010, then advanced to Sr. Director of Global Innovation Marketing from 2012 to 2015. Additionally, she served as Director of Loyalty Innovation Marketing for two years from 2010 to 2012. Her roles involved leading marketing initiatives and fostering innovation within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Heather Combs studied at the University of Florida from 1992 to 1994, and later attended Berklee College of Music, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering from 1994 to 1997. Her educational background supports her expertise in marketing and communications, particularly in brand strategy and customer insights.
Background in Digital Marketing
Before her tenure at Visa, Heather Combs worked as a Digital Marketing Consultant at Levi Strauss & Co. from 1997 to 1999. This early experience in digital marketing laid the foundation for her future roles in brand strategy and marketing leadership.
Leadership and Philosophy
Heather Combs is recognized for her ability to manage through influence and foster executive relationships. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability and authenticity in brand marketing. Combs is known for cultivating a high-performance team atmosphere that encourages collaboration and enthusiasm, aligning with her belief that technology should enhance human connections.