In a tearjerker of a tale for this year’s Academy Awards broadcast, Google designer Tony Lee told his story of growing up as the child of deaf adults, in one of just two ads the search giant ran during the Oscars.

“We focused on telling real and relevant stories and how technology has been profoundly helpful to people," says KK Walker, the 36-year-old group creative director at Google Brand Studio who leads campaigns centered around accessibility and inclusion. “A good chunk of my heart belongs to ‘A CODA Story,’ which highlights Google’s Live Caption, an incredible technology that can automatically caption any video with audio, making the world more accessible to millions.”

See all of Ad Age's 40 Under 40 honorees.

In the last year, Walker also shepherded campaigns highlighting Black-owned businesses, women pioneers, COVID-19 health care workers and Google’s first-ever brand campaign, “Helpfulness.”

“It’s been more challenging to create when we can’t be together,” Walker says. “So for the work to end up where it is, with emotion at its core, a real, moving story that everyone relates to makes me super proud.”

If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Dolly Parton, because in 75 years she has never been wrong.

What are the top two social media sites you use on a regular basis?

TikTok and Twitter.

What’s currently on your bedside reading list?

Whatever 4-year-old Johnny wants to read plus a healthy backlog of Entertainment Weekly.

What was the last show you binge-watched?

“Hacks.”

At what age do you hope to retire?

41.

See all of Ad Age's 40 Under 40 honorees.