Sophia Zhang is leaving her post as North America CEO of GALE less than three months after taking on the role, ADWEEK has learned.
Zhang, who was appointed to the job in March 2025, will depart the agency on May 30 to take on a new position at an undisclosed brand, according to a source familiar with the matter.
She has been with GALE since its founding in 2014, spending over a decade at the agency in various leadership roles—including managing partner—before ascending to the top North America post earlier this year.
GALE’s global CEO Andrew Noel, who has also been with the agency since 2014, will absorb Zhang’s responsibilities. The agency does not plan to refill the North America CEO position, consolidating leadership under Noel.
“GALE’s founding vision was to hire the best talent, drive enviable business outcomes, and be sought after by the world’s top brands. Sophia has an exciting new appointment ahead of her that’s a testament to that. She has built a strong and lasting legacy at GALE, and we wish her nothing but the best in her new role,” Noel told ADWEEK.
While Zhang’s departure may come as a surprise given how little time she’s spent in the North America CEO role, GALE leadership described the exit as amicable and celebratory. According to a source, Zhang had been in a months-long interview process for the new role prior to taking the NA CEO position at GALE.
GALE leadership was aware of her application but didn’t expect the opportunity to pan out—until it did.
“We love Sophia,” one executive said. “This was just a really incredible opportunity that she couldn’t pass up.”
