Building Brands, Leading with Connection: Lance Ladaga ‘07
For Lance Ladaga ‘07, creativity and entrepreneurship have always gone hand in hand. As Founder and Creative Director of ZAG Creates, he has spent the past 15 years building brands, leading teams, and growing a Miami-based agency.
We caught up with him to talk about his path, the timeless lessons from Gulliver that still shape how he leads, and why relationships remain so important in business and beyond.
What are you up to these days?
For the past 15 years, I’ve been building ZAG Creates, a Miami-based advertising and creative agency, where I serve as Founder and Creative Director. I also advise and partner with several other businesses. But beyond work, my most important role is being a husband and a proud father of two.
What inspired you to pursue your current career, and how has your path evolved?
I’ve always been drawn to both creativity and business. I loved writing and storytelling, but I was equally fascinated by how businesses are built, how brands grow, and what makes people connect with them. Advertising gave me the opportunity to bring those two interests together.
I’ve also been entrepreneurial for as long as I can remember, so starting my own company and helping other businesses grow felt like a natural path for me. Over the years, that path has evolved from simply creating great work to building teams, developing businesses, and helping brands find their place in an increasingly competitive world.
Was there something you learned at Gulliver—inside or outside the classroom—that’s made an impact on your life?
Gulliver taught me the importance of being well-rounded and, perhaps more importantly, how to connect with people from different backgrounds and walks of life. That lesson has had an enormous impact on my career.
So much of business comes down to relationships. Whether you’re working with a client, leading a team, negotiating a partnership, or simply meeting someone new, the ability to listen, communicate, and connect with people matters. I learned a lot of that at Gulliver.
Are there any Gulliver teachers or coaches who positively influenced you?
All of my teachers and coaches throughout the years played a meaningful role in shaping who I am today and preparing me for the world as a young adult. I was fortunate to be surrounded by some of the brightest and most talented educators in the country, and that has had a lasting impact on me.
When you’re surrounded by people who challenge you, encourage you, and expect you to be your best, you absorb more than what’s taught in a classroom. If you carry those lessons with you and apply them throughout your life, they can have a profound impact on your trajectory, both as a person and as a professional.
What clubs, sports, or extracurriculars were you involved in at Gulliver Prep, and how did they influence you?
I played football, basketball, lacrosse, and baseball. Sports taught me a lot about teamwork, accountability, and leadership.
You learn pretty quickly that you have to understand your role, trust the people around you, and do your part for the team to succeed. You also learn that leadership isn’t always about being the person in front. Sometimes it means supporting someone else, doing the work that nobody sees, or putting the team ahead of yourself.
Those lessons have stayed with me and continue to influence the way I lead a company today.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at Gulliver?
Beating American Heritage in the playoffs my junior year is probably the first memory that comes to mind. They were a powerhouse in high school football, and very few people expected us to win.
It was a close game with a lot of great moments, including a 50-yard touchdown pass I threw just before halftime. But what I remember most is the feeling of everyone coming together and realizing we had accomplished something people didn’t think we could. That’s a feeling I’ll never forget.
What has been one of your proudest moments?
One of my proudest moments has been building a company that can compete at the highest level of the advertising industry while creating a business and culture that I’m genuinely proud of.
Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to create campaigns for big brands with some incredible talent, including Jerry Rice, Tyreek Hill, Tyler Herro, and numerous collegiate athletes. Our work has also been recognized with seven Telly Awards.
Advertising is an extremely competitive industry, so being able to build something from the ground up, earn the trust of great clients and talent, and continue growing after 15 years is something I’m very proud of.
What advice would you give to current students?
Learn how to use AI, but don’t let technology replace your ability to connect with people.
I see a generation entering the workforce with tools that can make them faster and more efficient than ever before. That’s an incredible advantage, but the ability to communicate, build relationships, earn trust, and connect with someone face to face is still an intangible that I believe to be extremely valuable.
Technology will continue to change the way we work. Human connection will always matter. Learn both, and never underestimate the value of being someone people genuinely want to work with.
As we mark our Centennial year, Gulliver is paving the way for the future of education in Miami by investing in teaching, learning and innovation. What excites you most about what’s ahead?
What excites me most is seeing Gulliver continue to evolve while maintaining the foundation that has made the school special for generations.
The world our students are entering is changing incredibly quickly, and Gulliver has an opportunity to prepare them not just to succeed in that world, but to shape it. I’m excited to see the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and leaders come out of Gulliver and see what they go on to build.
As the school continues to grow and innovate, what do you believe is most important about honoring Gulliver’s history?
I think it’s important to preserve the parts of Gulliver that teach students lessons that can’t be learned from a textbook. Athletics is a big part of that for me.
Sports prepared me for entrepreneurship in ways I didn’t fully appreciate until later in life. They taught me how to deal with adversity, persevere when things don’t go your way, maintain a positive outlook, and stay focused on finding solutions.
Those lessons are timeless. As Gulliver continues to innovate and prepare students for the future, I hope it continues to recognize the value of those experiences that have shaped generations of students.
How do you stay connected with, and support, Gulliver?
I’ve stayed connected with fellow alumni, especially many of my former teammates, and I’d like to become even more involved with the school in the years ahead.
Gulliver gave me a strong foundation, both personally and professionally, and I think there’s something special about being able to give back to the place that helped shape you. Supporting the school is ultimately about supporting the students who are coming next and helping ensure they have the same opportunities to learn, grow, compete, and find their own path.
