The Power of Authenticity

Jessica Padula took the call from the AAF Hall of Achievement while standing on Sixth Avenue, one finger in her ear, and wasn't sure she'd heard it right. The 2026 inductee talks about getting into marketing through social media, why Nespresso shows up at run clubs, and the bedtime routine she protects no matter what.

The Call on Sixth Avenue: Jessica stepped out of a loud Midtown bar to take the AAF's call, then spent a moment wondering if she'd misheard the whole thing. She hadn't. She went back inside to hug the friend who put her name forward. 📞

Social Media Was Her Side Door: She started in advertising and always wanted to be a brand marketer. She got her foot in the door by specializing in social media back when most brand managers weren't paying attention to it, and it's still a love of hers today. 📱

Coffee Is Having a Moment: Nespresso doesn't try to be the running expert. It finds the most influential run clubs and shows people how coffee fits into the things they already love. ☕

The Advice She Ignored: Everyone told her to job-hop. She stayed five years at her agency and has been at Nespresso for ten. In her words, "I know the brand and I live the brand, and it's part of who I am." 🌱

Ruthless About Bedtime: With three kids, Jessica fiercely protects the 7 to 8pm window. They pile onto one bed, she reads to them, and then comes the best part: "let me tell you everything." ❤️