Ona Means She

Following a decade of partnering with some of the world’s most innovative agencies and brands, Brittany found new inspiration when she least expected it – sipping wine in Prague naturally. While enjoying the “fruits of her labor”, she was drawn closer to the city through its renowned hospitality and ancient sights. She couldn’t help but think about how this city has withstood some of the world’s harshest elements yet is still so beautiful and magnetic, pulling in people worldwide. If she could build something that gave people even a fraction of what she felt at that moment, she had to. Taking an industry she already loved but knew could be better; she started Ona, an agency designed to be better for people – employees, clients, and communities.

Ona brings together the most talented, values-driven marketing executives, strategists, creatives, and analysts, and our clients to make great things happen. As a dedication to our communities, we will always donate a portion of our annual earnings to organizations supporting a more equitable future. 

Executive Team

Brittany Abdool, Founder

Brittany Abdool has a long-history of setting a vision and accomplishing it. As a first-generation college graduate, she leads with passion and perseveres with grit – showing up every single day with the resolve to make it better than the last for herself, her team, her clients, and her communities.

In her experience spanning both international WPP agencies to small boutique agencies, Brittany has counseled some of the most recognizable household names to win impressive industry accolades and she has built talented and effective creative and media teams. She continues to be fiercely focused on people, products, and processes which have proven to be key contributors to successes over the years.

Brittany has worked with brands including, but not limited to: AARP, Accenture, Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ford Motor Company, PepsiCo, and Target. In 2018, she led the digital influencer strategy and management for Bank of America’s Friends Again campaign which won a Gold SABRE.

Brittany served on the Board of Directors for Washington Women in Public Relations for three years before relocating from Washington, DC to Chicago.

Shawn Abdool, CFO & Chief Strategy Officer

As CFO and Chief Strategist, Shawn manages Ona’s financial operations and guides the strategic leadership. Previously, Shawn served as Managing Director at Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) for almost 15 years. There he advised some of the world’s most admired executives and companies including Wendy’s, Cintas, Reynolds Consumer Products, Potbelly and Ulta Beauty on how to position the company for the present and future landscape of a private or public company, including market/customer perception, ESG, investor targeting, corporate communication and brand awareness. He was also responsible for leading the sales and marketing teams to grow their SAAS and advisory business. During that time, Shawn was the recipient of multiple CEO Awards, Nasdaq’s highest honor, recognizing innovation, initiative and exemplary performance.

In addition to Nasdaq, Shawn served as a Director at CoStar Group (Nasdaq: CSGP), the world leader in commercial real estate data, analytics and marketing, leading the sales and marketing team throughout the Midwest; Financial Analyst at Equifax (NYSE: EFX); and Client Service Associate at Legg Mason (now Franklin Templeton).

Shawn currently serves on the Advisory Panel for Harvard Business Review, and formerly served on the Advisory Panels for The National Geographic Society and Potbelly Corporation.

He is an avid volunteer for social and economic causes including Books For Africa, Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish, A-SPAN, SMYAL, and various local organizations. In 2019, he was named Nasdaq’s Volunteer of the Year, out of 4,800 employees.

Shawn holds an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business; and a BBA in Finance from Radford University.