Keely Cat-Wells

What does it take to lead one of the advertising industry's most celebrated creative institutions while staying true to yourself? In this episode of Future is Female, Advertising Week Global President Ruth Mortimer sits down with Nicole Purcell, CEO of the Clio Awards, for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and why kindness and empathy might be the most underestimated qualities in business. Nicole reflects on nearly 17 years with the Clios, the career setbacks that shaped her leadership philosophy, and the importance of celebrating women and creating opportunities for them to thrive. From launching the Clio Creator Awards to navigating the challenges of running a business, she shares why personal relationships, mentorship, and knowing when to say no have been essential to her success. The conversation also explores the evolving definition of female leadership, the pressures women face balancing careers and family, and why success doesn't have to mean sacrificing your well-being. At its heart is a refreshingly simple philosophy that has guided Nicole throughout her career: always strive to be the better person.

In this episode of Future is Female, we sit down with social impact producer, advocate, and author Ashley Lauren to discuss how lived experience can become a powerful force for transformation. From founding a production company focused on empowering talent and creating purpose-driven content to advising national child safety initiatives, Ashley has built a career at the intersection of media, advocacy, and social change. The conversation explores the responsibility brands, marketers, and media organizations have in shaping culture, the importance of trauma-informed storytelling, and why authentic representation matters when addressing complex social issues. Ashley also shares the inspiration behind Maya’s Magic Word, her new children’s book designed to help families introduce conversations around consent, bodily autonomy, and child safety at an early age. Along the way, she reflects on resilience, leadership, self-care, and the growing movement to create systems that better protect and support future generations. It’s a thoughtful discussion about healing, purpose, and the role each of us can play in building a safer, more compassionate world. Key Topics Transforming lived experience into advocacy and leadership The role of media, entertainment, and marketing in social impact Trauma-informed storytelling and authentic representation Child safety, consent, and early education Building purpose-driven brands and organizations Preventing harm through proactive education Self-care and resilience for changemakers Why the next generation offers hope for the future

On this episode of Future is Female, powered by Chemistry, we sit down with Lauren Palmer, VP of Global Agency Partnerships at Interlink, for a candid, energizing conversation about what it really takes to thrive—and lead—in sales today. Lauren shares her unconventional path into sales, a career she didn’t chase but ultimately mastered, and reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her 16-year journey across B2B and high-growth tech. From relocating to New York with zero network to scaling Interlink’s North American business into its largest market in under two years, her story is one of risk, resilience, and relentless growth. But this conversation goes deeper than career milestones. Lauren challenges outdated perceptions of sales as aggressive and transactional, reframing it as a discipline rooted in empathy, problem-solving, and human connection. She opens up about the realities of being a woman in sales leadership, the importance of mentorship, and why emotional intelligence isn’t a weakness—it’s a competitive advantage. We also explore how AI is transforming sales leadership in real time, from smarter forecasting to more personalized client engagement, and why the future belongs to those who use technology to enhance—not replace—human relationships. Plus, Lauren shares insights from her WISE Podcast and Sales Revolution community, both focused on elevating women in sales and redefining what ethical, modern selling looks like.

On this episode of Future is Female, MB Gambke, SVP of Partnerships and Marketing at Barstool Sports, shares her unconventional path from engineering student to one of the architects behind Barstool’s explosive brand partnerships. From turning fan behavior into real-world products like Pink Whitney to building a marketing function from scratch, MB breaks down what it takes to create authentic, culture-driven partnerships at scale. She also opens up about mentorship, imposter syndrome, and why “always show up” might be the most important career advice of all.

What happens when ambition meets instinct—and refuses to wait its turn? In this episode of Future is Female, we sit down with Bita Jedo, Future is Female Award winner and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, to unpack a career that’s moved at breakneck speed across PR, influencer marketing, tech platforms, and cultural brand partnerships—all before 30. From her early pivot out of PR during COVID to shaping creator and talent strategy at TikTok Shop, Bumble, and Dentsu, Bita shares what it really takes to work at the intersection of culture, creators, and entertainment. She breaks down how to spot the right talent at the right moment, why authenticity beats reach every time, and how strong relationships—not just networking—power the creator economy. Bita also gets candid about imposter syndrome, underpaid early careers, the myth of influencer “easy money,” and why a healthy dose of delusion might be the most underrated leadership skill of all. If you’re navigating your own nonlinear career path—or wondering how to back yourself before you feel ready—this conversation is a must-listen. Because sometimes the future isn’t just female. It’s fearless.

On this episode of The Future is Female, host Katie Kempner sits down with Taylor Guglielmo — President of Chemistry, lifelong ad-industry believer, culture-builder, mother, advocate, and 2023 Future Is Female honoree. In a conversation that is equal parts deeply personal and fiercely inspiring, Taylor traces her unconventional career path from Pentagon intern to agency president, including the surprising (and delicious) tactic that first got her foot in the door. Taylor reveals how she approaches leadership in a time of unprecedented industry change, the experimental culture driving Chemistry’s growth, and why she believes women succeed by leaning in when moments get uncomfortable. She opens up about raising a son with Marfan syndrome, navigating caregiver responsibilities as a working mother, and transforming personal crisis — including her son’s experience surviving a devastating school shooting — into meaningful advocacy for gun-safety conversations and bipartisan reform. Together, Katie and Taylor explore what women in leadership truly need today: boundaries, empathy, transparency, and workplaces that honor the full lives women lead. Taylor also shares her vision of a future where women in charge aren’t “trailblazers” — they’re simply leaders.

Recorded live from Advertising Week Europe, this episode features Louisa O’Connor, Managing Director of Seen Presents, in a candid, high-energy conversation about building a brand from the ground up in a male-dominated industry. Louisa takes us inside the early days of relaunching scene presents post-COVID, her fearless leadership style, what it took to win clients like TikTok and Netflix, and how she’s scaling a values-first culture while shaking up the experiential world. From creating immersive B2B activations to mentoring the next wave of female leaders, Louisa’s motto—“make yourself famous, but do it authentically”—rings loud and clear. This is one for anyone who’s ever doubted themselves but did it anyway.

On this episode of Future is Female we speak with Libby Bush, Global Head, Media and Entertainment Partnerships at CAA. Libby discusses leadership and this new modern world of branded entertainment.

On this episode of the Future is Female podcast we speak with Lee Anne Grant, Chief Growth Officer at Babylist. Lee Anne joins us to discuss Babylist’s recent growth and transformation into a media company, her career in the industry, and the importance of pride in the workplace.

A former Future is Female winner in 2022, Keely is the CEO of Making Space, a venture-backed, accessible talent acquisition and learning platform designed to help companies train, access, and retain pre-qualified disabled talent. Making Space creates tangible pathways to employment and career advancement through employer-supported education and has secured partnerships with NBCUniversal, Netflix, and Amazon, among others.