SEBAS PULLA

How do you navigate being your authentic self in corporate creative spaces?

It hasn’t always been easy. For a long time, I tried to fit in. I thought I had to act the way everyone expected me to. I believed that was the only way to be accepted. But hiding who I was only pushed me further away from the person I wanted to become. Now I choose to show up as myself, with my voice, my story, and my truth. Even when it feels uncomfortable. Because every time I decide to be real instead of pretending, I make space for someone else to do the same. That’s where real change starts, when we show up as we are.

How has your identity influenced the creative risks you choose to take?

My identity changed everything about how I create. For many years, I played it safe. I followed every rule and tried to fit every mold because I thought that was the only way to belong. But everything changed when I finally decided to be myself. I found a space where being me wasn’t judged, it was valued. That’s when I learned that being different isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. Now every creative choice I make starts with one question: how can I make this mine? I don’t want to follow trends. I want to create things that feel real, unexpected, and true to me. That’s where I shine, when I stop trying to blend in and start owning who I am. I shine because I’m different.

“I learned that being different isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength.”

What does winning Next Creative Leaders mean to you?

Winning NCL means everything to me. It is proof that being yourself works, that staying true to who you are can open doors you never thought possible. For someone like me, coming from a place where being different isn’t always easy, this means so much. It shows that difference can be something to celebrate, not hide. That people like me can have a voice, a space, and a chance. Winning is a reminder that when you lead with dreams and keep your goals close to your heart, you can go far. It shows that being different can inspire others to believe in themselves too. To me, this isn’t just an award. It is a sign that being real, even when it’s hard, is always worth it.

What does success look like for you in five years?

For me, success isn’t about trophies or titles. It’s about impact. It’s about becoming the person I needed when I was younger. In five years, I want to be a voice for the people who feel lost, for the people who think they’re too different, for those who have ever asked, “Why can’t I be like the rest?” I want to show them that being different is your power. Every step I take brings me closer to the promise I made to my younger self to become someone who inspires others to believe in who they are. That’s what success means to me.

“In five years, I want to be a voice for the people who feel lost, for the people who think they’re too different... I want to show them that being different is your power.”

What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you early in your career?

I wish someone had told me that there’s no single way to lead. There’s no perfect path, no right formula, and mistakes are a part of the process. They don’t make you less capable. They make you human. For a long time, I thought I had to have everything figured out, that every decision needed to be the right one. But the truth is, the moments when things didn’t go as planned were the ones that taught me the most.

They showed me what matters, what I stand for, and who I want to become. I’ve learned that you don’t need to chase perfection or follow a path that isn’t yours. You don’t need to fit into someone else’s idea of success. You just need to keep showing up, keep learning, and keep growing. Real strength comes from allowing yourself to be imperfect and still keep moving. From daring to be real, even when it’s hard. That’s what I wish I had known earlier.

“Real strength comes from allowing yourself to be imperfect and still keep moving. From daring to be real, even when it’s hard.”

Who would you thank in your Next Creative Leaders acceptance speech?

For a long time, nobody believed in me, and honestly, I didn’t either. I spent years doubting myself and trying to become someone I wasn’t. Everything started to change when I found the people who saw me before I saw myself. They reminded me that I was enough and helped me see that being different was something to be proud of. To them, I owe everything. And to my mom, my biggest fan and the person who has loved me through every version of who I’ve been, thank you for never letting me forget where I come from and who I am. This isn’t just my win. It is ours.