Matthew De Zilwa
New York,NY
Summary
Brand and strategy leader with 9+ years of experience helping organizations translate complex customer, product, and business insights into clear strategy, disciplined execution, and measurable growth. I combine brand instinct with structured consulting rigor, enabling teams to move fast, align, and execute cross-functional programs at scale. Experienced in AI-enabled transformation, operating model design, and partnering with senior leaders to drive organizational clarity and momentum.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Experienced Managing Consultant
CrossCountry Consulting
New York, NY
08.2024 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams across North America and Europe to redesign customer journeys, internal operating models, and GTM execution plans, improving alignment and reducing delivery friction across product, commercial, and operations teams.
- Translated ambiguous business needs into structured transformation roadmaps, clear sequencing, and decision frameworks for senior executives.
- Built AI-enabled workflow concepts and internal capability systems (messaging frameworks, customer models, sales enablement structures) to improve execution consistency and organizational clarity.
- Supported senior leaders with communications rhythms, prioritization structures, and narrative alignment to ensure multi-team delivery moved at speed.
Manager, Customer Strategy
EY
Sydney, NSW
05.2021 - 08.2024
- Acted as a strategic advisor to senior leaders, translating customer, commercial, and organizational insights into clear strategic narratives, executive materials, and alignment artifacts that supported decision-making across teams.
- Built cross-functional frameworks (brand architecture, experience systems, segmentation models) that could be operationalized at scale across in-store, digital, and partner touchpoints.
- Led multi-stakeholder engagements requiring structured problem-solving, disciplined sequencing, and alignment of product, marketing, and operational teams toward shared goals.
Senior Account Manager
BBDO (formerly CHE Proximity)
Sydney, NSW
06.2018 - 05.2021
- Directed integrated strategy for major brands (IKEA, Danone, NGOs), aligning creative, media, product, and retail partners behind a coherent customer-led direction.
- Led campaign development and execution across multiple channels and touchpoints, demonstrating comfort in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
- Built customer-insight-driven messaging systems and creative platforms that delivered measurable commercial results and long-term brand growth.
Marketing Coordinator
AFM Services
10.2016 - 05.2018
- Established the firm's marketing function, independently developing the brand platform, marketing and communications strategy, and sales enablement playbooks to help advisory teams consistently articulate AFM's service offering.
- Designed and executed event-based marketing initiatives that strengthened client relationships and expanded market reach, driving a 35% increase in the advisory practice's client base over the period.
Education
Advanced Strategic Planning -
Advertising Council Australia
Sydney, Australia01.2021
Bachelor of Commerce - Marketing, Management
The University of Adelaide
Adelaide, Australia01.2018
Skills
- Executive communications
- Brand, GTM, and campaign strategy
- Stakeholder influence and alignment
- Cross-functional leadership
- Operating rhythm and governance design
- AI-enabled workflow design
- Strategic sequencing and prioritization
- Cross-functional leadership
Hobbies and Interests
- Passionate about health and fitness - currently can be found running or doing cross-functional training
- An avid home cook, who loves to make and share food
- I love music, I play too - specifically jazz and classical piano (skill level: hobby/AMEB Level 4)
Awards
- Grand Effie Award for Marketing Effectiveness, Best Paper, 2023, Curing Homesickness, APAC
- Gold Effie Award for Marketing Effectiveness, Sustained Success, 2023, Curing Homesickness, APAC
Leadership Experience
- Leader of EY's LGBTQ+ network's communications and corporate affairs, Australia & NZ, 2022-2024
- Mentor at The University of Sydney Business School, Global Leaders program, 2022-2024
Accomplishments
Grand Effie Award for Marketing Effectiveness, Best Paper (2023) - Curing Homesickness, APAC
Timeline
Experienced Managing Consultant
CrossCountry Consulting
08.2024 - Current
Manager, Customer Strategy
EY
05.2021 - 08.2024
Senior Account Manager
BBDO (formerly CHE Proximity)
06.2018 - 05.2021
Marketing Coordinator
AFM Services
10.2016 - 05.2018
Advanced Strategic Planning -
Advertising Council Australia
Bachelor of Commerce - Marketing, Management
The University of Adelaide