To Celebrate Women’s History Month, Here’s 6 Women Who Have Left Their Mark on the Digital and Marketing Industries

As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's important to recognize the groundbreaking achievements of women in every field, including the world of digital and marketing. From the early days of computing to the rise of social media and beyond, women have played a vital role in shaping the way we communicate, connect, and do business online.Let’s highlight some of the trailblazing women who have left their mark on the industry, paving the way for future generations of female leaders and innovators.

Susan Wojcicki

Susan Wojcicki is a tech industry executive who was, until recently, the CEO of YouTube. She joined Google in 1999 as its 16th employee and was instrumental in the company's early growth.

In 2014, Wojcicki became the CEO of YouTube, and under her leadership, the video-sharing platform has grown to become the second-most visited website in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. She has also been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, and she has spoken out about the need to address issues like online harassment and hate speech.

Wojcicki has been recognized for her contributions to the tech industry and was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2015, 2016, and 2017. She has also been named one of Forbes' World's 100 Most Powerful Women multiple times.

Ann Lewnes

A prominent figure in the world of marketing and advertising, Anne is best known for her role as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Adobe. She was with Adobe dating back to 2006, and played a key role in driving the company's growth and success through strategic marketing initiatives until her retirement in January.

Prior to joining Adobe, Lewnes spent over a decade at Intel, where she held several leadership positions in marketing and communications. During her time at Intel, Lewnes oversaw a number of successful advertising campaigns, including the famous "Intel Inside" campaign.

As CMO at Adobe, Lewnes was responsible for leading the company's global marketing strategy, including branding, advertising, communications, and more. She has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the marketing industry, and has been named one of the most influential women in business by Forbes and Fortune magazines. She is also a member of the board of directors for Mattel Inc.

Lewnes is known for her focus on data-driven marketing, and for championing the importance of creativity and storytelling in marketing. Under her leadership, Adobe has become known for its innovative marketing campaigns, including the "Experience Business" campaign, which showcases how Adobe's products help businesses deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Sheryl Sandberg

Perhaps the most famous woman in tech, Sheryl Sandberg is an American technology executive and author. She was, until recently, the chief operating officer (COO) of Facebook, where she was a prominent figure since 2008. While there, Sandberg became a prominent advocate for women's leadership and empowerment. Prior to Facebook, Sandberg was the vice president of global online sales and operations at Google.

In 2013, she published the book "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead," which encouraged women to pursue their ambitions and challenge gender bias in the workplace. Sandberg is also known for her philanthropic work, including the launch of the "Lean In" initiative and the formation of the "Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation," which supports causes related to health, education, and empowerment.

Arianna Huffington

Huffington is a Greek-American author, syndicated columnist, and entrepreneur who is widely known for co-founding The Huffington Post, one of the most popular news and opinion websites in the world. She was born in Athens, Greece in 1950 and moved to England when she was 16 to study economics at Cambridge University. After graduation, she moved to the United States and began her career as a writer and commentator.

Huffington has written more than a dozen books, including biographies, self-help books, and books on politics and social issues. She has also been a frequent guest on television and radio shows, including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Real Time with Bill Maher. In 2016, she launched Thrive Global, a company that provides training and resources for individuals and organizations looking to improve their well-being and productivity.

Throughout her career, Huffington has been recognized for her contributions to the media industry and her advocacy work on behalf of women and other marginalized groups. She has been named to Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world multiple times and has received numerous other awards and honors.

Brenda Laurel

Brenda Laurel is a computer scientist, researcher, and game designer who has made significant contributions to the field of human-computer interaction and interactive media design. She is best known for her work on virtual reality and interactive storytelling.

Laurel began her career as a software designer and researcher, working for companies such as Atari and Activision. She later joined Interval Research Corporation, a research lab founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, where she led the research on virtual reality and interactive media.

In the early 1990s, Laurel co-founded Purple Moon, a game development company focused on creating educational and entertainment games for girls. Purple Moon's games were groundbreaking in that they presented female characters in non-stereotypical roles and tackled issues such as self-esteem and friendship.

Laurel has also authored several books on interactive media and design, including "Computers as Theatre" and "Utopian Entrepreneur". She has been a professor and researcher at institutions such as Georgia Tech and California College of the Arts.

Overall, Brenda Laurel has been an influential figure in the development of interactive media and has contributed to the advancement of women in technology through her work on inclusive game design.

Reshma Saujani

Reshma is an American lawyer and politician who is known for founding the organization Girls Who Code, a nonprofit that aims to close the gender gap in technology by teaching girls how to code. She is also an author and a frequent speaker on topics related to women in technology and the importance of girls learning to code.

Before founding Girls Who Code, Saujani worked as an attorney and served as the Deputy Public Advocate of New York City. She also ran for Congress in 2010 and again in 2012, becoming the first Indian-American woman to run for Congress.

In 2019, Saujani published a book titled "Brave, Not Perfect," which encourages women to embrace imperfection and take risks in order to achieve their goals. She has been recognized for her work with Girls Who Code by numerous organizations, including the National Women's History Museum and Fortune magazine, which named her one of the World's 50 Greatest Leaders in 2018.

Leaving a Mark

These women have left an indelible mark on the digital and marketing industries through their creativity, innovation, and leadership. They have broken down barriers and paved the way for future generations of women to succeed in these fields. As we celebrate Women's History Month, let us remember their contributions and continue to support and uplift women in all industries.