support a brand, engages and motivates the target audience and delivers results. Have You Ever Experienced Any Negativity or Sexism Being in This Industry? I've found that it doesn't take long to gain respect if you constantly challenge yourself, work hard and are good at what you do. What is Your Biggest Challenge/Achievement? After 20 years of understanding both the traditional and digital sides of the business, I've finally made the leap to an independent Interactive Creative Director with plans to start my own company. I am grateful that I have made it this far, but it hasn't always been an easy road. I've seen a lot of my peers drop off as the years and demands on their careers became even greater as they inch toward the Creative Direction title. It's no wonder there aren't more successful female designers. There isn't much room for having a life and a family when you are expected to stay on top of your game day in and day out. From an agency's point of view, there's always some younger, cheaper hybrid designer/developer waiting in the wings who will say yes to anything. I'd say agency life, or lack thereof, is the number one reason women don't stick with their careers long enough to get recognition. Along the way, I thought about giving it all up to be home at a reasonable hour or have my weekends to myself. Other days, I am reminded that I still have a long way to go