By Kesha Tansey, Senior Director, Client Partnerships, Inizio Evoke Europe
On Tuesday, March 4, I had the privilege of speaking on a panel hosted by Women in Brand, an incredible organisation dedicated to amplifying, celebrating, and progressing the work of women in brand marketing, strategy, and design. Alongside the brilliant Rachel Allison and Elle Davidson, with chair Victoria Montgomery guiding the conversation, we explored a pressing issue: how do we build a fairer, more accessible future for the branding world?
The discussion was anchored around the Time to Redesign report by People Made, a compelling piece of research highlighting the structural barriers in our industry and providing a 10-step action plan for change.
Some key takeaways from the report:
Flexibility is the single most practical and impactful change businesses can implement.
Women supporting women—mentorship and sponsorship should be a priority.
Leadership empathy—leading with emotional intelligence and active listening is critical.
One of the most shocking insights came from Elle, who referenced Major Players research showing that 120,000 women left the creative industry in the last year alone. This mass exodus is alarming, but not surprising when we consider the barriers still in place.
The report also pointed out that by 2030, Gen Z will make up around 30% of the workforce. This generation is pushing for flexibility, work-life balance, and a focus on well-being. The challenge—and opportunity—for brands and agencies is to rethink how work gets done, ensuring accessibility for talent beyond the privileged few.
Historically, the highest accolades, awards, and exposure in the creative industry have been gatekept to a well-connected, financially advantaged group. So, how do we start making space for creatives who don’t have those opportunities? I spoke about the power of mentorship and looking beyond university credentials when hiring. Rachel emphasized the importance of visibility—you can only believe what you see. More women in leadership, from all backgrounds, will inspire more women to enter and stay in the industry.
A crucial part of our discussion was allyship. If we’re serious about systemic change, we need our male colleagues to be actively engaged. This means stepping up—not just as supporters, but as co-creators of a more equitable industry.
On a personal note, I shared my experience as a neurodiverse woman and how shame disproportionately impacts women like me. However, advancements in AI offer hope—helping to automate the small tasks that neurodiverse individuals often struggle with. Organisations like Made by Dyslexia are advocating for better workplace structures, and we should all be paying attention.
So, what can we do? Elle reminded us: “More women need to support women.” Rachel urged: “You can only believe what you see—visibility matters.” And my message was clear: “You can advocate for yourself while staying true to who you are.”
Everything the team at Women in Brand do is about driving real change—but that requires collective action. Let’s challenge outdated structures, elevate more voices, and shape a future where talent, not privilege, determines success.