James Wu

James Wu is a Partner and Head of Planning at A/B Partners, a multiracial, multi-gendered creative agency shifting the conversation on the social, cultural, and political issues that shape our lives. In this role, James is responsible for building brands and campaigns for organizations dedicated to justice and equity and committed to centering the voices of Black and brown communities, and others too often pushed to the margins.

James is also the Founder and Managing Director of Studio Tomo, a creative collective that helps organizations communicate who they are (and why anyone should care) and brings their brands to life through language, design, and marketing. James has had the privilege of working with National Geographic, Duolingo, General Motors, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Natural Resources Defense Council, Herman Miller, and the United Nations Development Programme. 

Previously, James was a Senior Strategist at SYP where he led Fortune 500 executives through large-scale transformation. Prior to SYP, James was Head of Branding and Creative Direction for the nonprofit, Acumen; worked in development for the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM); and served as Director of Business Development for the digital consultancy, Modea.

James is a 2001 graduate of Virginia Tech (B.S., Economics; Minor, Communications), and has served as the President of the Marketing Advisory Board and board member of the Pamplin Community for Leadership & Engagement (PCLE). He has guest lectured for the Virginia Tech Honors College Presidential Global Scholars in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland, the University of Warwick in the UK, John Jay College’s Moelis Social Entrepreneurship Fellows, and Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.