Fiona Walsh is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in the digital advertising industry. Currently serving as the President of Infolinks Media, Fiona is dedicated to empowering publishers by providing innovative ad solutions that drive instant revenue and generate new traffic sources. Her impressive career includes key roles such as Chief Thrivist at Thrive Plus, where she championed premium curated video content, and Vice President of Partner Development at Propel Media, where she successfully launched a video outstream monetization product.
What are the biggest opportunities for women in your sector of the digital industry right now?
One of the biggest opportunities right now is the industry’s shift toward more transparent, accountable, and performance-driven media. As the ecosystem moves away from opaque models and toward direct relationships, curation, and first-party data, there’s a real opening for new voices to shape how that future is built.
Women are increasingly stepping into roles that sit at the intersection of strategy, technology, and partnerships. Those are the roles that define how media is bought and sold moving forward. There’s also more space to lead with purpose, whether that’s sustainability, responsible media investment, or building more inclusive teams. That combination of influence and impact feels particularly important right now.
What are some of the challenges that you still see for women in the industry? Any advice as to how to overcome those challenges?
Progress has been made, but access and visibility can still be uneven. Women are often underrepresented in the rooms where key decisions are made, especially in technical or revenue-driving roles. There’s also still a tendency for women to feel they need to be over-prepared before stepping forward.
The advice I come back to is simple but not always easy: speak up earlier and more often. You don’t need to have every answer to have a valuable perspective. Building a strong network is just as important. Surround yourself with people who advocate for you, challenge you, and open doors. And when you’re in a position to do so, do the same for others.
What support structures and organistions are most important and effective to you as a women in the digital industry?
Mentorship, both formal and informal, has been one of the most important support systems in my career. Having access to people who can offer perspective, share experiences, and provide honest feedback makes a real difference.
Beyond that, communities that bring women together across the industry are incredibly valuable. They create space to exchange ideas, build confidence, and feel less isolated in what can sometimes be a fast-moving and competitive environment. Internally, it’s also about building cultures where people feel trusted and empowered to grow. That kind of environment becomes its own support structure.
What is the biggest misconception (a) about women in the digital industry, and (b) by women in the digital industry?
(a) A common misconception is that women need to fit a certain leadership mold to succeed in this industry. In reality, some of the strongest leaders bring a different approach, whether that’s empathy, collaboration, or a focus on long-term relationships. Those qualities are increasingly critical in today’s market.
(b) On the other side, many women underestimate how ready they are. There’s often a belief that you need to check every box before taking on a new challenge. In practice, growth comes from stepping into opportunities before you feel completely comfortable and learning along the way.
What one piece of advice would you offer a woman starting in the digital industry today?
Take ownership early. Raise your hand for opportunities, even if they feel slightly out of reach, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. This industry rewards curiosity and adaptability.
At the same time, invest in relationships. The digital ecosystem is built on partnerships, and the connections you build early in your career will shape the opportunities that come your way later. And finally, trust your perspective. The industry is evolving quickly, and new voices are exactly what it needs.
