Our Women and Leadership programme is designed to equip women from across the business with the tools, skills, confidence and support network to progress into senior leadership roles underpinning our ambition to have 40% women in leadership positions, globally, by 2020. In our regular series, ‘Five minutes with’, we catch up with some of this year’s cohort to hear about their experiences on the programme.

Why did you apply for the programme?

I was intrigued as to how the programme could help me in my career. I like to embrace new opportunities so when I heard about this initiative, I knew I wanted to get involved. Diversity and inclusivity are both incredibly important in all aspects of life and especially at work where we spend so much time. In my previous line of work, I found myself in a heavily male-dominated industry, so I have seen first-hand the divide and situations of being overlooked which can arise when people aren’t given equal opportunities. Just knowing that there is a programme designed to invest in female talent at DAN is wonderful, and an opportunity I wouldn’t want to pass by.

What do you hope to achieve from being on the programme?

I would like to build up my confidence and recognise my core strength; to trust in my own ability to be an aspirational leader. I think this increased level of confidence would give me the boost I need to fulfil my career ambitions which currently centre around heading up a team which produces exceptionally high-quality design work and seeing others progress. I would like to develop some great connections across the different creative agencies and learn from other female leaders’ experiences in order to inspire and encourage others to get the best out their careers too.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt so far?

That networking and reaching out to new people isn’t as daunting as I first thought. I think it was the fear of approaching people and asking for advice which was stopping me from reaching out. This course has already helped me to break down that barrier and realise that networking doesn’t have to feel insincere. Instead it can be an opportunity to be curious and consider what you have to offer too to build reciprocal relationships with supportive women who can help each other in their careers. 

Jayne Sanders is Head of Creative at B2B International