Pull Up a Chair, Not A Ladder.
Inspiration is powerful. Action is even more powerful.
Creativity isn’t just about ideas, it’s about impact. As a female creative director, I’ve learned that the best ideas don’t always come from the loudest voices. They come from those who are given space to be heard.
Creativity has no gender. But leadership? That’s been a different story. When I started in this industry, only 3% of creative directors1 were women. Today, that number has risen to 12.6%2 - progress, but still far from where it should be. The reality is, the creative world has long been shaped by one perspective, and it’s our job to change that.
For me, creative leadership means creating space - for diverse thinking, for unexpected perspectives, for the kind of ideas that challenge and change things. I’ve worked hard to earn my seat at the table, but I also believe in pulling up more chairs rather than protecting my own. That’s the kind of role model that moves creativity forward.
The Power of New Perspectives
Creativity shapes culture - which means the people behind it shape the way we see the world. When only 12.6% of creative directors are women, that’s not just an industry issue, it’s a missed opportunity for new perspectives.
Women bring different lived experiences, and a different way of thinking. We need more of that. The best creative work comes from diverse teams, from ideas that push against the expected; that happens when women are not just in the room but leading the conversation.
Challenge, Champion, Include
The next generation won’t become what they can’t see. We need more women leading, mentoring, and showing up visibly in creative industries. Here’s how we can inspire and empower them:
Challenge the ‘confidence gap’ myth. Women don’t lack confidence; they lack the same unquestioned belief in their potential that men are often given. Let’s create environments where they don’t have to second guess themselves.
Advocate, don’t just advise. It’s not enough to tell women they belong in leadership in the creative industry. We need to actively champion their work, amplify their voices, and put them forward for the roles they deserve.
Make creative leadership more inclusive. The creative industry doesn’t just need more women, it needs more diverse women in positions of influence. We all have a responsibility to ensure the doors we open stay open for those coming next.
Inspiration is powerful. Action is even more powerful.
To the women coming up in this industry: you belong here.
To the women already leading: keep making space for others.
Authored by Hope Lewington