In honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, the latest edition of I Am Merkle features two members from Merkle's team: Anne-Marie Schaffer, Chief Client Officer at Americas CXM, and Amie Nims, Vertical Enablement Business Partner. Keep reading to learn about their career paths, what celebrating Women’s History Month means to them, and more.
1. Tell us about yourself; where did you grow up? Where do you live now?
AS: I’ve spent most of my life in Southern California, but I don’t consider myself a typical SoCal gal. As the daughter of parents who immigrated to the US in 1960, I’m a unique blend of Irish and Los Angeleno, with a slight pinch of NYC to round me out as I lived there for two different stints during my adult life. I currently live in Hermosa Beach, CA.
AN: I live in Golden, Colorado which is a western suburb of Denver, with my husband, 5-year-old son, and 2-year-old pup. I am a Colorado native. I have been with Merkle for over 13 years, and I teach Pure Barre as a second gig.
2. What do International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month mean to you personally, and professionally?
AS: Female representation in the workforce was just gaining greater recognition when I started my career. I am extremely grateful to the women a generation ahead of me as they truly broke the glass ceiling, affording me limitless opportunities to advance my career. International Women’s Day is extremely meaningful to me as it not only celebrates the advancement women have made in the workforce but also other aspects of equality. We’ve come a long way over the last few decades, but our rights are constantly being challenged, so I appreciate the recognition these important annual events provide in highlighting our continued desire for inclusion, equity, and equality.
AN: Believing that we belong and are worthy of achieving our big goals is the first step towards conquering them. During International Women's Day and Women's History Month, we celebrate those who have supported and acted on this empowered mindset. I see these celebrations as a chance to learn how to trust my worth and be inspired to become a leader.
3. Who are some women who have inspired you personally or professionally, and why?
AS: Marissa Mayer and Sheryl Sandberg are two amazing trailblazers in a heavily male-dominated tech industry. They are advocates for women in the industry, resilient leaders, and active in philanthropy.
Queen Elizabeth is one of the most graceful women of the 20th and 21st centuries. She balanced historical traditions with modernizing the monarchy and remained adaptable and stable during many challenging social, political, and cultural historical events. Her commitment to serving her constituents is admirable.
Malala Yousafzai embodied raw courage. She is an amazing advocate for speaking up for one's rights, regardless of age and threats against her life. She is the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
AN: Every female entrepreneur that I know or have read about. As someone who typically isn’t very risk tolerant, I admire women who take big risks and chase big dreams. Small business owners, Fortune 500 leaders, authors, consultants – any female who believed in her potential and put herself out there to create something. I think the bravery behind that is super inspiring.
4. What drew you to your career?
AS: While at UCLA, a friend asked me to help her find the 86th chapter of the American Advertising Federation and it allowed me to learn about various aspects of the industry. I fell in love with advertising and got my first break at Chiat/Day after graduating. The rest is history.
AN: The honest answer is financial stability. I didn’t come here with passion or intention. I changed to the industry because a temp agency sent me here based on a skill assessment match. I’ve stayed because I’ve been supported, I love the people, and I excel at learning and adapting skills situationally.
5. If you could have any occupation in the world, what would it be?
AS: My dream job would be a Travel Writer and Blogger. I love experiencing new cultures, meeting new people, and discovering local cuisines.
AN: Organizational psychologist! I am drawn to the human side of the workplace and passionate about inspiring high performance through psychological principles. The good news is that I can infuse this into any role.
6. To date, what has been your biggest learning or teaching moment?
AS: You catch more flies with honey than vinegar! There are so many personalities to navigate in both our personal and professional lives and I’ve found that authenticity, blended with a balance of firmness and kindness, leads to better outcomes than being a jerk.
AN: Becoming a parent changed and continues to challenge and evolve how I experience the concept of leadership.
7. What is your biggest accomplishment?
AS: One of my biggest accomplishments was qualifying for the World’s Irish Dancing championship in my youth and having the opportunity to compete on the world stage in Dublin, Ireland. And being a mom to four amazing kids, as well as being Merkle’s Chief Client Officer is pretty cool, too.
AN: I have been granted the privilege of holding many leadership positions. I’ve coached teams, instructed group fitness, I’m a parent, I’ve led several teams here, and have been a people manager for many years. The opportunity to coach people into more confident versions of themselves is the most fulfilling and important thing I have done.
8. What is a moment in your life that defined or shaped who you are today?
AS: There isn’t one specific moment that shaped me. Rather, it was my experience as a competitive Irish dancer from the ages of 3 to 19 that helped form and shape who I am today. Competing as a solo dancer I learned to have confidence, power, and grace; and, when competing in a team, I learned that performing as one unit, with precision, always outperformed other teams.
AN: In 2019 I received a bummer of a health diagnosis. It changed my perspective a lot and shifted my priorities. Since then, I’ve pivoted from chasing professional achievement to pursuing comprehensive wellness and authenticity. My appetite for learning increased too, especially around resources that support personal growth. Improvement in emotional intelligence, impact at work, leadership, and parenting are all areas that rank high in my quest for knowledge.
9. What inspires you about Merkle’s workplace culture and how does this align with your values?
AS: Merkle’s culture fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, transformation, and diversity. It’s a company that continues to evolve and provides resilience, management through change, and continuous learning. All these things align with my personal beliefs and values.
AN: Merkle is an organization that moves at a fast pace and undergoes frequent changes. This can be overwhelming for some individuals who are not used to it. However, I see it as an opportunity to take the lead. When there is no clear direction, it opens a space for curiosity and creativity to thrive. As these are important values to me, I find this pace to be suitable.
10. How can individuals contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world for women?
AS: Individual contribution starts with individual education. Individuals need to understand the challenges that others face, whether that be in the areas of gender, ethnic, or sexual diversity, or any other qualifier where equal opportunity is challenged. With knowledge comes power and activism. If each person did just one micro-action every day toward a more diverse and equitable world, we would make some big advances as a collective.
AN: Personal awareness around basic habits and behaviors unlocks equity for everyone, not just women. Listen more than you talk. Treat everyone’s input as valid. Support risk-taking and creativity. Check-in after conversations: did I allow for, encourage, and value the contributions of everyone in that room? Shift your daily habits toward inclusivity. I think this is especially important for people who are natural drivers and leading people who are not.
11. Rapid fire:
Anne-Marie Schaffer
a. Favorite food? Charcuterie (does that count?)
b. Favorite book? Catcher in the Rye (I read it every year)
c. Favorite podcast? Smartless
d. Favorite TV show/movie? The Bear
e. Favorite hobby/activity? Bootcamp, specifically Orange Theory. It’s my religion.
f. Guilty Pleasure? International travel
g. Favorite quote? “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way” (Napoleon Hill)
h. Best advice or mantra to live by? If you can dream it, you can do it.
Amie Nims
a. Favorite food? Avocados
b. Favorite book? It changes. Right now, it’s A Thousand No’s (a children’s book)
c. Favorite podcast? ReThinking, At Work with The Ready, and Good Inside
d. Favorite TV show/movie? The Office
e. Favorite hobby/activity? Pure Barre
f. Guilty Pleasure? 90s pop
g. Favorite quote? “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” -James Clear
h. Best advice or mantra to live by? Nothing lasts forever. If you are in a difficult season, you won’t be there forever. If you’re in your utopia, you won’t be there forever. Adaptability, resilience, hope, and gratitude are your friends.
About Our Authors
Anne-Marie Schaffer is the Chief Client Officer at Merkle, responsible for ensuring that the company's clients receive top-notch service and results. With over 25 years of experience in marketing and technology, she helps shape the strategic direction of the organization and delivers innovative, data-driven solutions to clients. Anne-Marie is a seasoned marketing executive with a 360-degree approach to marketing across digital, CRM, mobile, promotions, and traditional channels. Before joining Merkle, she was President of PHD West and expanded Ignited's media presence in New York. She has also held leadership roles at MEC, Team One Advertising, and TBWA/Chiat Day. Anne-Marie holds a bachelor's degree from UCLA and has completed management courses at Babson and Duke Universities. She is also a wife, mom, mentor, travel lover, world championship Irish dancer, and bootcamp fanatic.
Amie Nims is a Vertical Enablement Business Partner for the Client Leadership Group at Merkle CXM. Her role involves managing strategic operations. She has been with the company for 12 years and has worked in various departments before joining CLG. Amie resides near Denver, CO with her husband, son, and dog. In her free time, she enjoys teaching Pure Barre, baking, or engaging in a debate with her surprisingly persuasive 5-year-old.
