Ahead of International Women’s Day 2026 this weekend, New Digital Age invited women from across the digital media industry to comment on the ongoing importance of the day…
Steph Hallam, Co-founder, RAAS LAB
“As a female co-founder in an industry as fast-paced and traditionally male-dominated as adtech, I’m reminded that progress is never accidental. It happens because women choose to step forward, take risks, and lead with conviction. I see every day how powerful it is when we have the space to build, innovate, and challenge the status quo – and how that relevance shapes industries and societies alike.
“This day is not only about celebrating achievements, but giving to gain, as this year’s theme focuses on. To me, that means creating ecosystems where women founders, creators, and leaders can thrive without barriers. When women rise, industries evolve, communities strengthen, and the future becomes more inclusive for everyone.”
Zoe Risbridger-Smith, Programmatic Business Development Manager, Bauer Media Outdoor
“Digital and Adtech are built on constant evolution, but real progress only happens when the people shaping that change reflect the world we live in. For women working in this industry, that means not just keeping pace with innovation, but actively influencing how the industry grows, who gets access to it and whose voices are heard.
“International Women’s Day is a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t happen passively. It happens when opportunities are created early, when knowledge is shared openly and when we’re prepared to invest time in developing future talent. One of the biggest challenges we still face is access, particularly for young people trying to enter digital roles without being given the chance to build experience.
“This year’s theme resonates strongly with me, as progress is about giving to gain: mentoring, collaborating and building pathways that allow diverse voices to thrive. When women are empowered to lead, innovate, and influence change, our industry becomes stronger, more representative and better equipped for the future.”
Hadar Telem, VP Marketing Science, INCRMNTAL
“For me, ‘giving’ means empowering, especially when it comes to women in our industry. Too often, incredibly capable women present themselves with hesitation or self-doubt. One of the simplest but most powerful things we can do is actively reinforce their strengths and remind them to own their achievements.
“Throughout my career, I’ve tried to ‘give’ in practical ways: offering mentorship, opening doors where I can, and encouraging women to be more confident in rooms where they absolutely belong. Sometimes what makes the biggest difference is simply giving someone that first real opportunity – and the rest is theirs to build.
“Importantly, this isn’t just altruism; it’s smart business. Organisations that create environments where women are judged on their skills and supported to flourish will always outperform those that don’t. Creating space for women to succeed isn’t a feel-good initiative – it’s a competitive advantage.”
Julie Selman, SVP, Head of EMEA, Magnite
“‘Give To Gain’ as the theme for International Women’s Day 2026 underscores the power of intentional support, shared collaboration, and meaningful investment. It’s a call to action to create space, share resources, and champion one another to accelerate the progress toward women’s advancement and equality. Real change is only possible when opportunity is both built and boldly backed.
“This year’s theme reflects what I’ve seen firsthand: when we intentionally create space, progress isn’t just supported – it’s accelerated. Each moment in my career has been shaped by different networks, from structured communities, where mentoring became a powerful two-way learning experience, to informal circles where honest conversations have kept me grounded. So let’s give space to create the next generation of female leaders that will be everyone’s gain.”
Rhiannon Jones, Senior Data Scientist, Herdify
“This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the incredible women shaping our industry – from trailblazing founders to the brilliant marketers and media planners we get to learn from every day. When women’s voices are in the room, the work is better, the ideas are stronger, and campaigns are much more likely to connect.
“This year’s ‘Give To Gain’ theme really resonates with me. I’ve benefitted hugely from the support I’ve had in my career, and I’m conscious about paying that forward – whether it’s sharing opportunities, offering mentorship, or just amplifying other women. It’s the small actions that make a big difference, especially when not everyone is lucky enough to work in a place where being a woman is seen as a strength.
“International Women’s Day is a great moment to pause and reflect, but real progress happens over time. It’s the daily actions, not just the annual celebrations, that create lasting change. When women thrive, we all rise, and that can only happen when giving is the norm, not the exception.”
Rebecca Rodin, Account Director, Scale Digital
“The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, Give To Gain, resonates strongly with our work in affiliate marketing. Growth rarely happens alone, it thrives when knowledge, opportunity and platforms are shared. When women succeed, the impact extends beyond individuals to teams, businesses and the wider industry. To mark the occasion, we’re focusing on three key areas: visibility, knowledge, and internal support.
“We’re celebrating women across our network, sharing stories and achievements to amplify the voices that inspire and influence us. We’re also offering insight and guidance from our team, helping women in marketing access practical tools and expertise to grow. Lastly, within our agency, we’re recognising the contributions of women on our team, highlighting the value of mentorship and knowledge-sharing and their role in supporting equal career growth.
“Personally, I’m excited to be engaging with industry events that bring together and spotlight inspiring women within our industry. These shared moments are a great example of this year’s theme and our own internal stance, where empowering women’s voices and sharing inspirational experiences benefit everyone. Give To Gain is a timely reminder that small acts of support, celebrating others, or creating opportunities can have a lasting impact.”
The companies included above are clients of Bluestripe Media, the publisher of New Media Age.
