In honor of International Women's Day 2024, we've been catching up with some of the fantastic women in our Carat network.
Aligned with this year’s theme #InspireInclusion, we've asked about their proudest career moments, the influential figures who've shaped their paths, the most valuable advice they've received, and their hopes for the future of women worldwide. Their responses provide practical insights and inspiring perspectives that resonate deeply.
Join us as we celebrate the achievements and aspirations of women, gaining valuable wisdom from their experiences as we continue to champion inclusion and diversity within Carat and beyond.
What are you most proud of in your career?
“The impact I can have one helping other people thrive.” Fiona Lloyd, Global Brand President, Carat Global
“I was able to shape my growth and learning path successfully, striking a balance between my personal and professional life.” Riya Jain, Associate Director, Carat India
“Bringing out the humanitarian connect in brands via the art of storytelling through different mediums and formats!” Chaithali Rai, Content Manager, Carat
“Leading a series of training, being able to educate, share my knowledge and upskilling my newly formed team.” Maria Perera, Performance Manager, Carat Singapore
“When people who were in my team still reach to me to talk about their accomplishments, those moments are something I take pride in.” Chetana Raman, Vice President, Carat
“Having the opportunity to do and grow in the direction I would like.” Dipti Dineshan, Senior Executive Media Planning, Carat India
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you along the way and why.
“I have to say my mum. She is an academic and incredibly successful in the world of art and museums. She has taught me so much about being passionate about what you do, and that it's ok to change as you experience life and learn new things. She is truly the most inspirational and wonderful human in my life.” Lucy McKillop, Global Brand Director, Carat Global
“I was inspired by Lady Oscar, a character born from the imagination of a Japanese manga creator. Lady Oscar is a woman who holds a male command role in the France of the French Revolution. She was not afraid of anything or anyone, she had confidence in herself and had assertive communication.” Laura Rosati, Communications PR Manager, Carat Italy
“My mom. She taught me that we are all authors of our own lives, and we live in what we create. At Carat, I am so fortunate that with my amazing co-workers, we are all collectively writing the next best seller together.” Kerry Doyle, EVP, Carat Content, Carat USA
“I've always been inspired by Malala Yousafzai story. She's an example of courage to women and to us all for her dedication to education and her tireless fight for human rights. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact a single person can have on the world when they commit to fighting for what is right.” Marcela Acevedo, Senior Strategist, Carat Spain
“Sheryl Sandberg with her book Lean In - the similarity in the circumstances and challenges faced by women across the globe was an eye opener. I also had the opportunity to meet her during her India visit and some of the statistics she shared, e.g., countries with women heads of state go to war less often, were points to take note of.” Sanchayeeta Verma, CEO, Carat India
“All of the women on my Carat Strategy team! They each demonstrate a constant quest to deliver great work that makes a difference for consumers. And they are so supportive of each other (and me!) along the way.” Joanna Hawkes, EVP, Head of Strategy, Carat USA
What do you wish you'd known when you were younger?
“You don’t have to have the loudest voice in the room to create the biggest impact. Fewer well-considered points trump the need to have a diluted point of view on absolutely everything.” Fiona Lloyd, Global Brand President, Carat Global
“The fact that when one door closes, another door always opens. I wish I knew that when you follow your passion and do what you believe in, life will always provide an opportunity for growth and success.” Marina Mazarskaya, CEO, Carat Ukraine
“Change is the only constant.” Chetana Raman, Vice President, Carat
“Just because everyone is doing it, doesn’t mean it’s right.” Amanda Quarmor, Account Manager, Carat Ghana
“I wish I'd realized early on the value of building strong relationships. Networking goes beyond exchanging cards; it's about genuine connections that offer support and opportunities. Investing in relationships opens doors and enriches both personal and professional life.” Vanitha Selvathurai, Partner, Head of Carat Malaysia
“Prioritizing self-care, including physical health, emotional well-being, and work-life balance, is crucial for overall happiness and success. Many wish they had understood the importance of taking care of themselves earlier in life.” Manvi Shah, Senior Media Manager, Carat India
“If you want to make positive changes in your life, you have to be the force that makes it happen.” Maria Perera, Performance Manager, Carat Singapore
“Do not compare yourself to others. Imperfection is perfection. Be brave and believe in yourself.” Natasha Mistri, Business Development Associate Director, Carat Global
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
“That you are your own best advocate. Don't be humble - be loud about your accomplishments!” Joanna Hawkes, EVP, Head of Strategy, Carat USA
“The best advice I've ever received is to embrace change. Change is inevitable, and resisting it leads to staying the same. Instead, welcoming change opens doors to new opportunities and growth.” Vanitha Selvathurai, Partner, Head of Carat Malaysia
“A valuable piece of advice from my grandfather that I always remember is to never assume you know everything and that learning should never stop. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning, even into retirement.” Tanvi Panwar, Group Head – Ad ops, Carat India
“Learn to say NO. Don't be afraid to set healthy boundaries and say no to demands that are not aligned with your goals and values. Prioritise your time and energy on those activities and relationships that nurture you and move you closer to your goals.” Marcela Acevedo, Senior Strategist, Carat Spain
What is your hope for women in the next 5 years?
“Equal opportunities to all, especially young girls who can be as free to move about and fulfil their dreams as their male counterparts. Everywhere across the world we worry a bit more for our girls - will they be safe, in any place, at any time - and that becomes the biggest hindering factor for them in many big and small ways.” Sanchayeeta Verma, CEO, Carat India
“That we continue in the path of equality.” Daniela Cori, Managing Director, Carat Chile
“In the next five years, I hope for increased gender equality, more opportunities for women in leadership roles, equal pay, and greater support for women's rights and initiatives.” Vivian Law, Senior Partner, Carat Malaysia
"I envision a world where women and girls are encouraged to step into leadership positions and challenge the exclusionary legacies of our past. Also, that women don't hold themselves back by societal influences, but rather embrace their uniqueness and the potential of their gifts to the world.” Georgina Akuamoah-Boateng, Media Buying Manager, Carat Ghana
“The hope is for a world where women can freely pursue their goals, aspirations, and passions without any barriers. To see continued progress towards gender equality in all aspects of life. This includes increased representation and leadership roles for women in various industries, closing the gender pay gap, and fostering environments that empower women to reach their full potential.” Riya Jain, Associate Director, Carat India
