#102: Redefining Success Through Service | Stinson Parks III, Former Marketing Executive at PepsiCo & Amex

About this episode

Building a brand takes focus. Building a meaningful career takes range.

From leading global campaigns at L’Oréal, PepsiCo, and American Express to driving purpose-driven change in accessibility, youth empowerment, and the arts, Stinson Parks III has built a career by refusing to be boxed in. After surviving a near-death experience, he redefined what success means—shifting his focus from building brands to building impact.

 Today, Stinson is using his marketing mindset to drive change across four pillars: accessibility, youth, community, and the arts. In this episode, he joins Jason Harris to talk about transforming professional skills into personal impact—and why the same tools that move brands can also move people.

Key Takeaways:

✅ The skills that build brands can also build change
✅ Accessibility isn’t charity—it’s innovation and inclusion in action
✅ Art and storytelling have the power to heal and connect
✅ True success isn’t what you achieve—it’s who you help

Memorable Moments:

💡 “I went to the school of Mattel, PepsiCo, and Amex—these were my universities.”
💡 “I was literally dead for a month. Now I see my injury as the biggest blessing of my life.”
💡 “Change happens one person, one conversation, one community at a time.”
💡 “It’s not what you have to do—it’s what you get to do, and who you get to serve.

”Brought to you by Mekanism.