What happens when ambition meets instinct—and refuses to wait its turn?

In this episode of Future is Female, we sit down with Bita Jedo, Future is Female Award winner and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, to unpack a career that’s moved at breakneck speed across PR, influencer marketing, tech platforms, and cultural brand partnerships—all before 30.

From her early pivot out of PR during COVID to shaping creator and talent strategy at TikTok Shop, Bumble, and Dentsu, Bita shares what it really takes to work at the intersection of culture, creators, and entertainment. She breaks down how to spot the right talent at the right moment, why authenticity beats reach every time, and how strong relationships—not just networking—power the creator economy.

Bita also gets candid about imposter syndrome, underpaid early careers, the myth of influencer “easy money,” and why a healthy dose of delusion might be the most underrated leadership skill of all. If you’re navigating your own nonlinear career path—or wondering how to back yourself before you feel ready—this conversation is a must-listen.

Because sometimes the future isn’t just female. It’s fearless.

On this episode of The Future is Female, host Katie Kempner sits down with Taylor Guglielmo — President of Chemistry, lifelong ad-industry believer, culture-builder, mother, advocate, and 2023 Future Is Female honoree. In a conversation that is equal parts deeply personal and fiercely inspiring, Taylor traces her unconventional career path from Pentagon intern to agency president, including the surprising (and delicious) tactic that first got her foot in the door.

Taylor reveals how she approaches leadership in a time of unprecedented industry change, the experimental culture driving Chemistry’s growth, and why she believes women succeed by leaning in when moments get uncomfortable. She opens up about raising a son with Marfan syndrome, navigating caregiver responsibilities as a working mother, and transforming personal crisis — including her son’s experience surviving a devastating school shooting — into meaningful advocacy for gun-safety conversations and bipartisan reform.

Together, Katie and Taylor explore what women in leadership truly need today: boundaries, empathy, transparency, and workplaces that honor the full lives women lead. Taylor also shares her vision of a future where women in charge aren’t “trailblazers” — they’re simply leaders.

Recorded live from Advertising Week Europe, this episode features Louisa O’Connor, Managing Director of Seen Presents, in a candid, high-energy conversation about building a brand from the ground up in a male-dominated industry. Louisa takes us inside the early days of relaunching scene presents post-COVID, her fearless leadership style, what it took to win clients like TikTok and Netflix, and how she’s scaling a values-first culture while shaking up the experiential world. From creating immersive B2B activations to mentoring the next wave of female leaders, Louisa’s motto—“make yourself famous, but do it authentically”—rings loud and clear. This is one for anyone who’s ever doubted themselves but did it anyway.

On this episode of Future is Female we speak with Libby Bush, Global Head, Media and Entertainment Partnerships at CAA. Libby discusses leadership and this new modern world of branded entertainment.

On this episode of the Future is Female podcast we speak with Lee Anne Grant, Chief Growth Officer at Babylist. Lee Anne joins us to discuss Babylist’s recent growth and transformation into a media company, her career in the industry, and the importance of pride in the workplace.

A former Future is Female winner in 2022, Keely is the CEO of Making Space, a venture-backed, accessible talent acquisition and learning platform designed to help companies train, access, and retain pre-qualified disabled talent. Making Space creates tangible pathways to employment and career advancement through employer-supported education and has secured partnerships with NBCUniversal, Netflix, and Amazon, among others.

To kick off season 2 of the Future is Female podcast, we’re pleased to speak with Kristin Patrick, CMO of Claire’s. Ruth and Kristin discuss Kristin’s career path, as well as how to reinvent your business and yourself.

On this final episode of season 1 of the Future is Female Podcast, we’re pleased to welcome Carly Zipp, Global Director of Brand Marketing at Amazon Ads. Carly walks us through her early career to present, discusses the importance of investing in teams, and offers advice to other women working in the industry.

We’ll be back with Season 2 of the Future is Female podcast very soon!

On this episode of the Future is Female podcast, we’re pleased to welcome Melissa Newhart, Executive, Music Brand Partnerships at United Talent Agency. Melissa discusses her amazing career working with music and brands, some of her favorite brand partnerships, and the importance of self-education.

About Melissa:

Melissa Newhart is an award-winning entertainment & music industry executive with extensive advertising, marketing, branding, strategic partnership, and media experience. Newhart has been named to Billboard’s “Branding Power Players” and “Latin Power Players” lists, spotlighted in HITS! “Noisemakers” and featured in publications Muse by Clio & Campaign. In 2022, Variety named Newhart to their New York Impact Report, and in 2023, Advertising Week awarded her their “Future is Female” award.

Melissa began her career at Columbia Records & joined United Talent Agency in 2017 from Roc Nation, where she was Vice President of Brand Partnerships. Throughout her career, Melissa has closed over 350 deals for over 100 different artists such as Anitta, Bebe Rexha, Jonas Brothers, Karol G, Latto, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Tierra Whack, and Young Miko, working with global brands such as Mastercard, Google, Xbox, Louis Vuitton, Levi’s, and Cadillac.

Currently an Executive in UTA’s Music Brand Partnerships group, Melissa leads the team’s East Coast business. In addition to artist specific brand strategy, Melissa has experience negotiating & executing partnerships for large-scale music properties such as Made in America Festival and TIDAL X Concert, as well as global tour sponsorships. Newhart has also been instrumental in recognizing new lanes of business for UTA and was at the forefront of UTA’s expansion into the Hip Hop and Latin music genres.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mnewhart

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissanewhart/

On this episode of the Future is Female podcast, we speak with Kathy Magee, Co-Founder, President, and CEO, Operation Smile and Kristie Porcaro, Chief of Strategy & Partnerships, Operation Smile about their work, their lives, and their careers making a difference in the lives of children worldwide.