Reflections on being a woman in Branding

I wasn’t clear whether the experiences of women in branding is that different from those of men – and I also recognize that my own experience as a woman in branding, brings a limited perspective.

As a founder and CEO of a brand consultancy I haven’t had to report into people, nor climbed the ‘corporate ladder’ or had to experience applying for a role in a male-dominated industry. I have been in a privileged position to both direct the vision and strategy of my own business, and also to have a voice as an outside, objective and experienced consultant on clients’ projects. I recognize this is not the experience that all women have in branding – nor as I have reflected, is it the experience I have witnessed for many of those women Brand Directors I have worked with. Whilst brand has increasingly become a board room conversation over the last 20 years, it seems Brand Directors still struggle to strongly influence strategy and transformation.