Q&A: Get to know Chief Growth Officer Rosi Statt

Most mornings, I rise early—often before the sun—energized by the possibilities of the day ahead. Whether I begin with a quiet moment of reflection, journaling or a burst of inspiration that sends me straight to the keyboard, I’m always thinking about how to best invest my time and attention.

As the day unfolds, I move between strategic meetings, deep focus work and collaborative sessions with our team. I spend time reviewing initiatives, absorbing new insights and removing roadblocks so our people can do their best work. My role is part visionary, part operator—constantly balancing long-term growth strategy with the day-to-day momentum that drives it forward.

A great day ends with meaningful progress: a few key wins checked off the list, team members feeling empowered and aligned, and a conversation or idea that sparks the next day’s or week’s work.

It all started with a movie—"Sliding Doors,” the Gwyneth Paltrow classic. In high school, I was captivated by the idea that a single moment could change everything. In the film, her character worked in PR. I never actually saw her doing the job, but the seed was planted. After exploring paths like chiropractic and political science, my Theories of Persuasion professor suggested I’d be great in PR—and that memory resurfaced. I thought, “Why not give it a try?”

That decision set everything in motion. I first shadowed at DS+CO as a high school junior, then returned as a college intern. After gaining experience in Boston’s PR scene, I knew I wanted to come back to the Rochester area—and DS+CO felt right.

What drew me in then still drives me now: the energy, the people and the entrepreneurial spirit that pulses through the agency. It’s a place where ideas are nurtured, momentum is real and growth is a shared ambition. Joining DS+CO wasn’t just a career move—it was a return to a place that always felt like home.

I lead with openness, curiosity and a deep commitment to listening—something that didn’t come naturally early on (my report cards often read “talks too much”). Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked intentionally to flip that script. “Listen first, speak second” has become a personal mantra—and one I try to model every day.

I believe that when people are truly heard, they often uncover their own answers. My role as a leader is to create space for that clarity to emerge. Whether it’s helping someone process an idea, navigate a challenge or identify what’s missing, I aim to be a sounding board and a catalyst. The goal isn’t just to solve the problem in front of them, it’s to help them build the confidence and tools to solve the next one on their own.

Mentorship, to me, is about unlocking potential. It’s about seeing people not just for where they are, but for where they’re capable of going—and walking alongside them as they get there.

There are many, so many. But a few have stayed with me at every stage.

First, self-awareness and hard work are rare and powerful traits. I credit my parents for instilling both in me early on, and they’ve been the foundation of how I show up in every role.

Second, people don’t like to be surprised—at least not in business. Clarity, communication and consistency build trust. Surprises are for celebrations; alignment is for everything else.

And one of my favorite lessons came from my uncle, who once told me: “He puts his pants on the same way you do— one leg at a time.” It was his way of reminding me that no matter someone’s title or presence, we’re all human. That perspective has been a gift. In business, you’ll meet people who work hard to project something else—but I’ve found the most meaningful work happens when those walls come down.

I’m most energized when we can strip away pretense and get to the real work: thinking, uncovering, processing and solving together. That’s where the magic happens.

I’m driven by problems—not just the idea of solving them, but the process of truly understanding them. While it’s common to reframe problems as opportunities, I believe the real innovation begins when you sit with the problem long enough to feel its weight and complexity. That’s where the insight lives.

For me, problems are fuel. They signal that something isn’t working as it should—and that’s the invitation to think differently, to challenge assumptions and to build something better. Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it’s sparked by friction, by tension, by the need for change. And that’s what keeps me energized every day.

Curiosity and courage.

Curiosity for me is about seeking to understand, asking better questions, staying open to perspectives that challenge your own. It’s what keeps me learning, evolving and pushing beyond the obvious.

Courage for me is about the willingness to act on what I’ve learned, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Growth isn’t just about knowing more, it’s about doing something meaningful with that knowledge. Taking the leap, making the call or trying the new idea.

Rest doesn’t come naturally to me. My mind is usually in motion, chasing ideas or solving the next challenge. But when I’m in nature, hiking through the woods, kayaking across still water or spending time on Keuka Lake, something shifts. It’s like my whole system exhales. In those moments, I feel completely at ease, like I was meant to be there. It’s the rare space where I can truly unplug and just be.

Everyone wants to know their work matters—that their contributions create momentum, spark change or support someone else’s success. Growing up in a family of educators, that belief was ingrained in me early on. It’s not just about doing the work—it’s about making a difference.

At DS+CO, I feel that every day. Whether it’s helping a client unlock a new path forward, supporting a teammate through a challenge or contributing to the growth of the agency itself, I know what I do has meaning. The relationships here are real, the work is dynamic and the opportunities to grow—both personally and professionally—are constant. That’s what keeps me here and keeps me inspired. Oh, and there is no shortage of challenges!

Like many middle schoolers in the ’90s, I was convinced I’d become a marine biologist. Thankfully, that phase passed quickly. What I seriously considered, though, was becoming a chiropractor. Sports, fitness and wellness were central to my upbringing, and I was drawn to the idea of helping people through movement and healing.

In my senior year of high school, I enrolled in a medical careers program to explore that path more deeply. As part of the experience, I shadowed various departments at a local hospital—including the business office and, unexpectedly, the marketing team. That rotation stuck with me. It was the first time I realized how fascinated I was by people—how they think, what motivates them and how communication can influence behavior. That spark never left, and it ultimately led me to where I am today.

Stop worrying about what other people think of me. They only worry about themselves.

Flat white.

Watch my kids do what they love, read, listen to podcasts, have incredible discussions with my siblings, spend time on Keuka Lake, hike, bike and walk, play games, coach soccer, give my father haircuts, go to concerts with my husband and experience everything the outdoors has to offer.