Fiona Lenahan
Brand Strategy Director at Canva
Hi, I'm Fiona! I've been in brand and marketing strategy my entire career on both sides of the fence - creative agency and client-side, across London and Sydney.
Going in-house at ASOS, Facebook, Meta and now Canva has given me a unique perspective on what it actually takes to build brands people really care about. Not just ads - but real products, experiences and community. I've always been drawn to disruptive brands, the ones rewriting the rules, and I'm most energised when strategy turns into something that genuinely moves people, not just metrics.
And now, I lead strategy for brand and product marketing at Canva across our international markets, and I also co-lead the Canva Women's Collective ANZ. Outside of work I'm a desperately keen runner, artist and F1 head (yes I got hooked from Drive to Survive - a superb marketing feat!).
Mentoring the next generation of leaders to grow and thrive in this industry is something I care deeply about — and being a 2026 Assisterhood mentor feels like a natural extension of that. Can't wait to get stuck in!
Career & Background
What inspired you to do what you are doing now?
I’ve always been obsessed with brands and problem solving – so brand strategy is kind of the dream combination of both. It keeps me close to culture, diving into data and staying genuinely curious about people and what they care about. On the marketing side, it’s that neat mix of heart and head… decisions that influence where we invest, what in, and why. Honestly, the dream.
Mentoring has always been important to me too. Throughout my career I’ve had the pleasure of working under some absolute powerhouse female leaders and mentors I still look up to today (shout-out to Fran, Anna, Jo, Sarah, Viv and Kristine!). I’ve always aspired to do the same for others – and for me, the joy of mentoring is genuinely two-way. You learn just as much as you give.
And then there’s my glorious two-year-old, who gives me a bucket-load of inspiration in how to see things differently – with more play, more curiosity, and a whole lot of “why?”. Honestly, not a bad philosophy for a strategist.
Could you tell us a bit about your professional background and where you are headed in your career right now?
Yes! I actually first fell for creative agencies at university, working part-time at an advertising agency – albeit in the finance team at the time! It was enough to get me hooked, and I kicked off my career agency-side as a graduate, quickly landing in strategy. Over the years I got to work across a brilliant breadth of clients; Volkswagen, McDonald’s, Wrigley, Sydney Opera House, BBC and Mondelēz, to name a few.
During my seven years in London, I made the move client-side – first to ASOS, leading their strategy across inclusivity, sustainability and brand, then to Facebook (now Meta), where I worked in their international marketing team across Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook and the metaverse (augmented and virtual reality).
And now I’m proudly at Canva, a brand that I’ve always admired – working on global brand strategy, campaigns and the kind of meaty challenges that help grow both the business and the brand, while doing as much good as we possibly can along the way.
Your favourite food for thought
Books
- Strategy is your words – Mark Pollard (if you’re looking to upskill on creative strategy)
- Unreasonable Hospitality – Will Guidara (on the power of brand experiences)
- Oh the places you’ll go – Dr Seuss (bit of nostalgia)
Podcasts / Thought Leaders
- On Strategy Showcase – Fergus O’Carroll (for the real scoop on great creative work)
- Smart-less (because when else do we get the chance to listen to celebs spill it all?)
- Design Matters – Debbie Millman (on all things design, and many nuggets on brands)
What drives and inspires you
What are your core values?
- Achievement
- Family
- Kindness
- Optimism
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Hands down, my Mum. She changed careers in her 30s and still rose to the top – and watching her do that shaped so much of how I approach my own. She taught me to never do things half-heartedly, to listen deeply, and to keep my chin up when navigating the hard stuff.
Now that I’m a Mum myself, I find that inspiration hits even closer to home. I’m constantly navigating that balance between my ambition at work and being the absolute best Mum to my little bestie. I’ve learnt that you don’t have to choose – you can do both.
You as a Mentor
What are the top skills or qualities you bring to mentoring?
- Collaborative
- Empathic
- Sees potential in others
- Passionate
- Present and focused
Ready to apply?
The best time is right now. Take a chance – you never know where an Assisterhood mentor can take you.