The role of diversity and inclusion within creative agencies has been under scrutiny for years now, with many companies introducing executive positions to oversee a maturing workplace culture. Alongside being a sign of progress as businesses become more representational, that is then expected to drive more inclusive work for clients.  

To that end, Dept, which has introduced the aim for 50% of managers to identify as women or non-binary and for 40% of its leadership team to identify as women or non-binary by the end of this year, has hired Sandra Masiliso as its first global diversity, equity and inclusion leader.

Masiliso joins the agency from the BBC, where she was its creative diversity lead for 50:50 The Equality Project and its creative diversity partner. Previously, she was the equality, diversity, and inclusion manager at Newton Europe.

Adweek spoke with Masiliso to hear about what the new role entails within the agency, her experiences of driving DEI within media organizations and how it is being handled more widely by the ad sector around the world.  

Adweek: What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned when it comes to improving DEI practices within an organization? 

Sandra Masiliso: It takes time to both realize and achieve meaningful and sustainable cultural and systemic change. As a DEI professional, my job is to lead on the facilitation of that change, equipping and empowering the business to turn the dial and take steps along the journey.

AW: This is your first time working within an agency environment – what expectations do you have coming into this aspect of the creative sector? 

SM: Coming into this aspect of the creative sector, I am expecting a fast-paced environment, with peers who are both driven and innovative when it comes to thinking of new ideas. This is one of the many factors that attracted me to Dept, and I’m looking forward to partnering with our teams to channel such creativity and bring about change internally.

I also expect the efforts and gains we begin to realize internally will affect the output of our work and delivery to clients. Diversity is a massive driver of new and even greater ideas, and Dept strives to be at the forefront of innovation. In parallel, I’m excited about the possibility of marrying purpose with impact, through the work we do for some of our clients, using the power of creativity for good.

One of my favorite examples is Fingerspelling.xyz, a browser-based app that uses webcam, machine learning, and AI to analyze hand shapes so you can learn the English alphabet in American Sign Language. Through technology, we help bridge the communication barrier between D/deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their hearing peers.

AW: Why did Dept choose to create this role? 

SM: Dept has committed to keeping culture at the core of what we do and how we scale our business. Diversity is one of the drivers of creativity and entrepreneurship, two core values of our business, so we knew that formalizing our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) was a necessary next step.’

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