The Path to the Boardroom

Women's Advancement in the Creative Industry

A recent Creativepool article, 'Talking Heads: Overcoming the hurdles preventing creative women from making it into the boardroom #IWD2025,' explores gender equality in the creative industry, highlighting the challenges and solutions to advancing women into leadership. Sparks CMO Kristy Elisano contributed her input to this vital discussion, sharing her insights on the barriers and opportunities facing women in our field.

The article features a dynamic discussion among female leaders, highlighting several crucial themes:

• Breaking Down Barriers: Persistent structural and cultural obstacles hinder women's progress in the creative sector. These hurdles range from unconscious bias to a lack of flexible work arrangements.
  
  

• The Power of Inclusion: The importance of diverse leadership teams is underscored, with compelling data demonstrating the positive impact of gender diversity on organizational performance.
  
  

• Authentic Leadership and Transformative Policies: Leaders need to champion inclusive policies and foster a culture of authenticity, where women feel empowered to thrive.
  
  

• Mentorship and Networking: The significance of mentorship and networking opportunities is highlighted as a vital tool for women seeking to advance their careers.
  
  

• Work-Life Integration: A recurring theme addressed the delicate balance between professional aspirations and personal responsibilities, emphasizing the need for supportive work environments.

Sparks Contribution and Commitment:

Kristy's participation in this discussion reflects Sparks' commitment to fostering a workplace where women are empowered to lead. Her insights align with our company's values of inclusivity and equal opportunity.

“International Women's Day is a reminder of how far we’ve come—and the opportunities still ahead. While systemic challenges exist, one of the biggest hurdles is often ourselves. Self-doubt, hesitation to self-promote, and reluctance to negotiate can all hold us back.

I’ve been there myself—downplaying achievements, undervaluing contributions, and waiting to be noticed instead of speaking up and owning my worth.

We need to change the narrative. Confidence isn’t arrogance, and advocating for ourselves isn’t self-serving—it’s essential. Leadership isn’t about waiting for permission; it’s about stepping up, taking risks, and knowing we belong in the room. Mentorship, leadership programs, and strong peer networks provide the tools and encouragement needed to push forward. But workplaces must also do more than pay lip service—they must actively foster environments where women’s voices are valued, growth is supported, and leadership paths are clear.

The real breakthrough happens when we address both fronts: systemic change and personal empowerment. When women own their power and organizations create space for them to lead, that’s when we’ll see lasting progress. “

At Sparks, we know that true innovation happens when diverse voices shape the conversation. Equity isn’t just a principle—it’s a priority.