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.

• 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.