Charles Esther
Phil Schraeder’s career path is anything but conventional.
From starting as an auditor at KPMG to leading a global advertising technology company valued at nearly $700 million, Schraeder’s story is one of courage, mistakes, growth, and authenticity.
As the CEO of GumGum, he shares how embracing mentorship, making hard decisions, and living openly helped shape his success.
Starting Over and Coming Out in Los Angeles
After graduating in 1999 with a degree in accounting and finance, Schraeder began his career at KPMG.
However, he quickly realized that the high-pressure auditing environment wasn’t for him.
In 2001, he took a leap of faith and moved from Chicago to Los Angeles with no job and no apartment.
This move wasn’t just geographical — it marked a personal transformation as well.
Shortly after arriving in L.A., Schraeder came out as gay and embraced his authentic self.
He soon found work as a senior financial analyst for a production company based on the Fox studio lot.
Becoming Part of GumGum’s Foundation
Through his growing network, Schraeder met the founder of GumGum, a startup in the adtech space.
He joined as the 10th employee in 2011, taking on the role of Vice President of Finance.
In the early days, he wasn’t just managing spreadsheets — he was moving boxes and helping set up the physical office space.
Over the years, he grew with the company and was appointed CEO in 2019.
Today, GumGum employs around 500 people across 20 countries.
The 4 Biggest Lessons Phil Schraeder Learned in His Career
1. Growing Too Fast Without a Strong Foundation
Schraeder admits that one of his earliest mistakes was letting the company grow too quickly.
Excited by the momentum, he overlooked the importance of a solid operational structure.
Lacking proper systems and accountability, the company faced internal inefficiencies that later had to be fixed.
He now emphasizes building a sturdy foundation before scaling.
2. Waiting Too Long to Shift from Startup to Mature Business
As CEO, Schraeder struggled with decision-making during GumGum’s transitional phase.
He clung to a startup mindset, saying yes to deals that didn’t always serve the company well.
He later realised that maturing as a business meant being willing to say no and make bolder decisions.
Becoming decisive earlier could have saved time and resources.
3. Underestimating the Power of Mentorship
Early in his executive journey, Schraeder didn’t seek out a mentor or coach.
He believed in learning through personal trial and error.
Eventually, he hired an executive coach who had guided other CEOs through similar growth stages.
That mentorship proved invaluable in helping him think more strategically and avoid common pitfalls.
4. Delaying Transparency and Authentic Living
Perhaps the most personal lesson Schraeder learned was the value of transparency — both in life and leadership.
He recalled a boardroom incident where his bold fashion choices were criticized.
Instead of backing down, he addressed it head-on and used it as an opportunity to empower his team.
He encouraged his employees to embrace their uniqueness, stressing that self-expression was a strength.
Why Transparency Is Now His Superpower
Schraeder used to preach authenticity, but now he believes transparency goes deeper.
It’s about sharing not just what you are, but why you are — even when no one’s watching.
He makes a point to stay accessible to every employee, embodying the values he wants to see across the organization.
In his own words, the real work happens in quiet moments behind the scenes.
Conclusion: A Leadership Style Rooted in Integrity
Phil Schraeder’s journey offers valuable insights for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs.
From rebuilding his life in a new city to making difficult business decisions, his story proves that leadership is about learning from your mistakes.
It’s also about standing firm in who you are and leading by example.
Through mentorship, clarity, and radical transparency, Schraeder has carved a path worth following.
