The First Female Partner at Proscenium, Keirsten Hammett

How would you describe the overall culture at your agency and would you say that there is a separate female culture?   

At Proscenium, our culture is incredibly collaborative and we have put a strong focus on individual-development and awareness by integrating programs like Clifton’s StrengthsFinder. I wouldn’t say there is a separate female culture but I would say that the women of Proscenium are incredibly supportive of one another and all have a vested interest in celebrating each others successes. When we started Proscenium 8 years ago, I was the only woman and now the company is 50% women and it is an amazing group to be a part of.  I couldn’t be more proud.

 

In your opinion, what do you see as being the biggest change in the advertising industry since women have begun to break the “glass ceiling”?  

I think the biggest change is representation. Having an increased number of women in positions of power has allowed women to have more of an influence on the work that is being produced. They have brought insights and perspectives that were lacking in the past and have been able to challenge old ways of doing things that were not as inclusive or diverse. I think we are seeing the benefits of having a woman’s point of view in both how businesses are being run and also in the work that they deliver.

 

What are some of the challenges that women still face in the industry?

Complacency because some progress has been made. While there has been such great progress there is the worry that because there are some great examples to point to that people will think that the work is done. But there is still a lot of work to do.

 

What steps do you take to ensure you achieve a healthy work-life balance?

Finding the right balance is difficult especially with the demands of running a business, delivering for clients and the seeming need to be available 24/7. This is a constant work in progress and a focus for me in 2019. I think the key is creating boundaries and communicating them so that you can be successful in feeding the things in your life outside of work. But I also think it is important to understand that the “balance” won’t always be 50/50 and that at certain times in your life work will need a lot more of your attention and other times other aspects of your life will require more. I think that being successful at achieveing it means checking in with yourself so that you can assess what you need during different periods of time.

 

What professional achievement are you most proud of?

My personal biggest professional achievement is becoming a partner at Proscenium - the first female partner! I am really proud that I have helped build the company from day one and have had an influence on what it has become today.

 

Tell us about a mentor that helped guide you in your career. What made them so special?  

I have been very lucky to have a number of mentors throughout the course of my career. The thing they have all had in common that has helped me grow is reminding me of my own potential and the bigger picture in moments when I have doubted myself or have been too caught up in a single obstacle.

 

How do you as a successful woman plan to inspire the next generation of women?

I think about this question a lot because I see my personal success and being in a position of power as an honor – one that I do not take for granted. Providing opportunities for women in our industry at all levels is the foundation of inspiring the next generation of women in this industry. I have also personally focused on providing mentorship to the women around me, with an emphasis on guiding them to strengthen their voices, articulate their unique skills and to build their confidence to seize every opportunity in front of them.