Women’s History Month is a time for us to not only celebrate and honor women but commit to creating the equitable, diverse future that today’s female-identifying youth can thrive in!
The UN Women’s sector recently reported, “A global analysis of 133 artificial intelligence systems across industries found that 44.2% [of AI systems] demonstrate gender bias. [The implications of this mean] The voices of women, girls, and other marginalized groups, historically sidelined or altogether absent in tech spaces, are urgently needed in the decision-making processes.”
Here are three vital statistics about where women see growth and opportunity in the workplace today:
- Fortune.com Senior Writer, Emma Hinchcliffe reported that for the first time in the Fortune 500 list’s 68-year history (2023), over 10% of Fortune 500 companies are now led by women.
- Today, women make up 31% of the global STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workforce, yet they only hold 24% of the leadership roles in these fields.
- In 2022, Marketing Week reported that across global media and communications industries, women take up less than 50% (37%) of leadership roles, despite making up nearly 50% (48%) of the total workforce.
At PhotoShelter, we make intentional efforts to combat gender disparity in the creative and tech industries by centering parity in building our team and external community—a community is made up of employees, customers, and partners—all creative problem-solvers who enable other creatives to do their best work.
This year, the United Nations (UN) theme for International Women’s Day (March 8th) is ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.’
To help ensure digital parity for women in 2023, the UN is asking brands, people, and organizations who care about #BreakingTheBias to #PowerOn and help “shape a safer, more inclusive, and more equitable digital world for all.”
How are we heeding the unifying call to create parity for women online? By highlighting some incredible women we know who are in the prime of their careers as photographers, creative directors, brand marketers, graphic designers, social media managers, videographers, and more!
We want to keep this list growing, so #PowerOn and shoutout your favorite creatives in the comments below. Or, head to social to give a shout-out to the leading women you’re following on Twitter or LinkedIn and tag us @psforbrands or @PhotoShelter!
Women Photographers to Follow
- @PollyIrungu, Photo Editor for Madamme Vice President, Kamala Harris and Founder of Black Women Photographers Read this feature profile to learn how Polly transformed her dual passion for photography and seeing other creatives thrive into an illustrative career!
- @AbbyKeenan3 — Abigal Keenan Field, Los Angeles Lakers Team Photographer
- @Nellez — Chanelle Smith-Walker, Carolina Panthers Team Photographer
- @EmFails — Emilee Fails, Washington Commanders Team Photographer
- @BrakeThroughIG — Iri Snow Greco, Commercial, Editorial, & Fine Art Photographer
- @CallenaMW — Callena Williams, Dallas Cowboys Team Photographer
- @TaybBanner — Taylor Banner, Charlotte FC Team Photographer
- @GrafikAmanda — Amanda Cain, San Jose Sharks Team Photographer
- @LandisImages — Ashley Landis, Associated Press Photographer
- @IUHoosiers’ Center for Sports Media and Technology Photo Team: @FarrallGracie, @GrettaCohoon, @SammyGNance, @LaurenMervar
- @AsToldByNicole — Nicole Vasquez, MLB and NHL Content Creator
- @BrooklynFehr, Utah Tech Athletic Photographer
- @ByTheWhiteLine — Rachel Bach, Professional Freelance Photographer
- @ShannaLo — Shanna Lockwood, Atlanta Falcons Team Photographer
- @Wangela_Angela — Angela Wang, Professional Freelance Photographer
- @ErinHooley, Associated Press Staff Photojournalist
- @TaylorSimsPhoto, Professional Sports and Portrait Photographer
- @MaddieMalhotra, Boston Red Sox Staff Photographer
- @SarahSnyPhoto — Sarah Snyder, New York Jets Photographer and Digital Archive Coordinator
- @VisualsByK — KreshonnaKeane, New York-based Commerical, Editorial and Fashion Portrait Photographer and Director
- @JessRapfogel, Washington D.C.-based Sports Photojournalist
- @StaceyWestcott1, Chicago Tribune Visual Journalist
- @GabbyStockard, Utah Jazz Team Photographer
- @gxbriellemxry — Gabrielle Clement, Australia-based Live Music Photographer
- @SimplyPhotogra3 — Brittany Long, Melbourne-based Live Music Photographer on wheels!
- @MichelleMalek, Commercial and Editorial Portrait Photographer
- @DontShootSkrlx — Rosario Gutierrez, Professional Music Photographer
- @EmmaGSharon, MLB Staff Photographer and Live Content Creator
- @CaitlynEpes, Arizona Cardinals Team Photographer
- @AshleyHerman, Down East Wood Ducks Team Photographer
- @35mmadi — Madison, College Football Playoffs Photographer and Creative Intern for Texas Longhorns
- @CatGorynPhoto, Professional Freelance Photographer
- @MegMcLaughlinDA, Visual Journalist for The San Diego Union-Tribune
- @StephChambers76, Getty Images Staff Photographer
- @TarisSmith, University of Louisville Athletics Staff Photographer
- @AbigailDeanPhotos, Pittsburgh Steelers Photography Team Intern
- @GabbyHutts, Los Angeles Rams Photography Team Intern
- @VisuallyBreanna — Breanna Biorato, Las Vegas Aces-Based Professional Photographer
- @HeatherBImages — Heather Barry, Professional Freelance Photographer
- @KarleeSell, Vanderbilt University Athletics and Washington Commanders Photographer
- @AshleyMOrellana, Professional Freelance Photographer
- @RochelleFatLeopard — Rochelle Brock, Professional Size-Inclusive Photographer
- @LauraWolffPhoto, Professional Sports Photographer and Charlotte Knights Team Photographer
- @AllieUShoot —Allie Jest, Atlanta Dream Team Photographer
- @Katie_MacCrory, Arizona State Sun Devils Principal Photographer
- @LizFlynn_, New York Mets Team Photographer
- @KaylaRicePhoto, New York Mets Assistant Photographer
- @Ashlee_Rezin, Chicago Sun-Times Visual Journalist
- @DanaForDays — Dana Gentry, Professional Sports Photographer
- @Flordalis — Flordalis Espinal, Film Photographer
- @Kendizzzall — Kendall Warner, Virginian Pilot Staff Photographer
- JaneGPhoto – Jane Gershovich, Pacific Northwest based Sports, Wedding and Commercial Photographer
Women in Social Media to Follow
- @RabbitEarz93 — Sarah Gardner, National Geographic’s Director of Social Media Dive into this brief, but inspiring post about how she’s grown her career on LinkedIn!
- @CarinaaMiaa — Carina Mia, Hulu’s Social Engagement Manager
- @AstasiaWill, Nike North America Social Brand Manager
- @AmieKiehn, Social Media Strategist and Former North Carolina Panthers Director of Social Media
- @JennyLynnFisch — Jenny Fischer, NBA Social Content Manager
- @VictoriaMcBryde, NBA Social Strategy Lead and Founder of the Lift Every Voice Fellowship
- Indiana University’s Center for Sports Media and Technology Social Team: @rachel__gillam and @LynneaPhillips
- @BriReynolds — Brianna Reynolds, Lyft Social Media Manager
- @Jferfish28 — Jennifer Fisher, Golden State Warriors Social Media Manager
- @ElizabethOtten, Wray Ward Paid Social Media Manager
- @Angela_Denogean, Carolina Panthers Senior Social Media Manager
- @Meagan_Thompson, NASCAR Senior Manager of Social Media Strategy
- @KristaDestinee — Krista Jasso, NASCAR Social Insights Manager
- @ShelbyBeckler, Charlotte FC Social Media Manager
- @AliyahHillMedia, Live Content Creator and Social Media Sports Reporter
- @MurrMinks — Meredith Minkow, Bleacher Report Social Media Manager
- @ErinNicoleh_ — Erin Hodges, San Jose Sharks’ Social and Digital Marketing Manager
- @NFL2Ucla — Courtney Rivera, Senior Social Media Producer for The Washington Commanders
Women in Film to Watch
- @AriIvory — Arielle Chambers, Founder of HighlightHER: Video-First Platform for Bleacher Report
- Indiana University’s Center for Sports Media and Technology Video Team: @DeeSeymore and Dani Malakoff a.k.a @photographyjew
- @SuziMellano, UCLA Athletics Video Producer
- @Snacksnolen — Alex Nolen, ESPN Features Filmmaker
- @Kristina — Khristina Williams, Founder of Girls Talk Sports TV and Sports Betting Talent
- @Bavacado9 — Brittany Alvarado, Charlotte FC Senior Video Manager
- @SarSoriano — Sarina Soriano, San Francisco 49ers Senior Video Producer
- @DeannaXNicole, Deanna Griffin, Atlanta-Based Cinematographer and Camera Operator
- @RavennaTran, Cinematographer and Director
- @SadeNdya, Cinematographer
- @SadeCJoseph, Film Director
- @Corbin_Meier, Kansas City Chiefs Video Production Assistant
- @RaicheleMonique — Raichelle Privette, Audio Producer for Bleeding Green Podcast
Women in Graphic Design to Follow
- @ZhaneeAnderson, Austin FC Graphics Designer
- @YoStephRivas — Stephanie Rivas, Dallas Mavericks Digital Designer
- @CarFogle — Caroline Fogle, NASCAR Director of Graphic Design
- @HWeb112 — Holly Weber, @IUHoosiers Director of Graphic Design
- @LoreleiRitzert, Dallas Stars Graphic Designer
- @Amanda_Honegger, Indiana University Athletics Assistant Director of Graphic Design
- @KomarekC12 — Claire Komarek, Graphic and Photography Artist
- @NeoSaysStuff — Maya Hottot, Freelance Graphic Designer
- @CaitlynGardner_, Carolina Panthers Graphic Designer
Leading Women in Strategic Marketing and Communications to Follow
- @WarJessEagle — Jess Smith, Stewart Haas Racing’s Vice President of Brand and Digital Strategy Hit the Follow button for solid career advice to help you make your next professional move.
- @BrookeDevard — Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli, Instagram Creator Marketing Manager – Video Lead
- @MahonAlex — Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4
- @OliviaWitherite, Game Day Vice President and Head of Digital Strategy and Marketing
- @SameOlKi4 — Khadija Campbell, NBPA Senior Manager of Partnerships and Purpose
- @KelseyRoa, Major League Soccer International Marketing Manager
- @ChanelSmith975 — Chanel Smith, Baltimore Ravens Digital Coordinator
- @TatianaHolifieldArthur, Pandora’s Vice President of Digital Content and Audience Engagement
- @DDuggs11 — Deandra Duggans, Las Vegas Aces Vice President of Brand Marketing
- @KatieCavender, College Football Playoff’s Assistant Director Of Communications and Branding
- @KaraDurette, Ravenscroft School’s Digital Marketing Manager
- @KellysPics3, South Florida Sport & Commercial Photographer
- @TessaMort — Tessa Mortensen, University of Miami’s Assistant Art Director of Digital and Brand Strategy
Watch this video for award-winning nuggets of wisdom about what goes into and how to produce a strong social media campaign.
Women Creative Directors You Should Know
- @KPology1 — Kaila Pettis, Creative Director of FC Cincinnati ⚽️ We love this shoutout from Kaila’s colleague and our friend, Joseph Guzy, now FC Cincinnati’s Team Photographer. Get you a creative director who will say YES to drowning a camera for creative purposes!
- @FoxyNeela — Mahaneela Choudhury-Reid, Creative Content Studio Director (Cozy Global)
- @LauriseIRL — Laurise McMillian, Creative Director and Content Strategist for Meta
- @EchoMah, Tiffany & Co. Creative Director
- @AVenerable — Amber Venerable, Conde Nast and Allure Creative Director
- @Natalie_1Clark, Utah State University Director of Creative Content
- Emma Hearne, NEXT Ltd Art Director
- @Kelsey_Groff, Duke Athletics Assistant Director of Creative Services
Your Turn: Every Woman Deserves a Shout-Out!
Every March, people, organizations, and brands around the world celebrate Women’s History Month by highlighting women’s individual and collective contributions as changemakers: as caregivers, artists, entrepreneurs, and advocates, as well as honoring the past and present challenges they face.
Now, let us #PowerOn by committing to providing equal access to education and sustainable employment opportunities to women and girls worldwide, so parity in the workplace can become possible starting in 2023!
