Career growth doesn’t always mean a new title. Sometimes it means a bigger canvas, a broader mandate, or a chance to lead with sharper intention.
In this interview, Jessica Serrano, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Bagel Brands reflects on what drew her to this next chapter after already serving as a CMO, and how relationships, candor, and community continue to shape her leadership decisions. She shares why staying close to her network has been one of the most meaningful money moves of her career, how she builds trust by saying the hard things out loud, and why celebrating wins with a trusted circle is essential to long-term wellbeing.
Her perspective is a reminder that senior leadership isn’t about arriving — it’s about evolving.
Wellth: Tell us a bit about your role, and what excites you most about it.
I’m the CMO of Bagel Brands, leading marketing, culinary, digital and guest experience across Einstein Bros., Noah’s, Bruegger’s and Manhattan. I am excited to deepen the love guests already have for our bagels while modernizing how we show up.
Wellth: What’s one money move that helped you get here?
Staying connected to my network. When you invest in relationships, people think of you and bring you up in the rooms you’re not in.
Wellth: Who was the first person in your world you told about the new role, and what was their reaction?
My husband. Once he understood why I was so excited about the challenge, he moved into action: “Alright, when are we moving?”
Wellth: What's one value or principle that guides you in your career?
Candor. I’ve learned that saying the thing out loud – the idea, the concern, the truth everyone is skirting – builds trust & accelerates progress. Without candor, teams waste time managing perceptions instead of problem solving.
Wellth: How do you celebrate your wins, whether big or small?
I have my tribe of women with which we regularly share our wins and frustrations. So much can happen in a week, it’s important to have people around you who support you, remind you of the progress, and keep it real.
Wellth: What advice would you give someone looking to follow a similar path?
Don’t wait until you feel ready. Keep an inventory of the skills you want to build and say yes to the roles and projects that will round you out. Growth isn't always up - it's the breadth of experiences that will set you up for the next big move.
