About Neil

Neil Schambra Stevens is a former CMO turned Leadership Coach, helping mid-career creatives, marketers, and strategists in brands and agencies balance well-being with high performance. He believes success is built on kindness, gratitude, momentum, and resilience—principles that drive both personal growth and business impact.

With nearly three decades of C-level experience at Fortune 500 brands, including Levi's, Heineken, Converse, ASICS, Lenovo, VANS, and Polaroid, Neil has led global teams, shaped brand strategy, and built high-performing cultures across Europe, Asia, and the USA. Now, he applies that expertise to coaching, empowering individuals and teams to be seen, heard, and valued in their careers.

A sought-after speaker and podcast guest, Neil is a vocal advocate for kindness in the workplace. In 2023, he published A Bad Hand Played Well – How to Own Your 90,000 Hours at Work, a #1 Amazon Bestseller described as a self-care guide for intentional living and minimizing regret.

Neil is the founder of Mercury Jam Coaching, where he champions “Actionable Kindness”™ as a pathway to meaningful success. He currently lives and works from a houseboat in Amsterdam.