In that context, appointments like mine might feel symbolic. But they shouldn’t be. They should be normal. They should follow open conversations, long-term career planning, and a recognition that leadership potential doesn’t vanish when someone becomes pregnant.

I don’t know if I’d have predicted this moment—stepping into a bigger job while preparing to step out of the business for something personal. What I do know is that the timing doesn’t undermine the role, just as the role doesn’t define the leader.

There’s still progress to be made, both in the advertising industry and across society. The more we see leaders who reflect the full reality of modern life, the closer we get to building companies and cultures that reflect the future we want.