Here we are again, International Women’s Day — our annual check in on the needle to see if it’s moved. The marketing and PR industry loves to talk about equality, but when it comes to real progress, the numbers still don’t add up. They probably never will.
Women dominate the workforce yet remain underrepresented in leadership roles, held back by rigid structures, outdated biases, and slow-moving corporate cultures. Major networks are repeat offenders. Layers of bureaucracy, outdated ways of working, and rigid return-to-office mandates – like WPP’s global four-day rule – make it harder for women to balance ambition with life outside the office. Promotions still favour presentee-ism over performance, maternity policies lag, and leadership remains dominated by men in suits.
But as the MENA region witnesses a rise of independent agencies – and the exciting work and innovation that brings—it’s also enjoying visible progression in the fight against gender inequality. Free from legacy red tape, indie shops move faster, think braver, and create cultures where talent – not tenure – drives success.
We’ve gathered perspective from all the women inside The Romans Dubai. Because the notion of the exceptional individual is baked into our DNA. Just like the empire we’re named after.
Read more IWD opinions and features here.
Flexibility breeds opportunity
In all my 18 years of work, I’ve never been as content as I am today. The flexibility brought on by COVID, coupled with my move to indie agency life, has allowed me to attend every one of my girls’ school assemblies, doctors’ appointments, teacher meetings, and tennis matches. And at the same time, a fire of ambition was reigniting inside me, driving me forward into a leadership position. Neither one has hindered the other. At last.
Flexibility in the workplace breeds happiness, and happiness allows energy to flow in whichever direction you point it. The indie agency model allows us to toss that one-size-fits-all ‘hybrid working’ BS out the window and create a culture of flexibility that genuinely adapts to the ever-changing, personal needs of every woman (and man).
Words by Jacquelyn Moulds, Client Engagement Director, The Romans.
Words speak louder than titles
One of the biggest strengths of indie agencies is that success isn’t tied to tenure, it’s driven by impact. I’ve felt that firsthand, stepping into opportunities based on the work I deliver rather than the years behind me. In an environment that values ability over expectation, growth happens naturally. That’s what makes independent agencies a place for talent to thrive, giving many women the space to grow and lead simply by being great at what they do.
Words by Cham Alatrach, Senior Account Manager, The Romans.
Collaboration over competition
Indies thrive on collaboration. The best ideas don’t happen in isolation, they come from open conversations, different perspectives, and people building on each other’s thinking. At The Romans, we see this every day. Creativity isn’t about one person or one role, it’s a team effort where everyone has a voice, and the best ideas rise to the top. This requires a modern view on hierarchy, fewer egos, and an ‘agency-comes-first’ mindset.
For women, this kind of environment is a game changer. Without rigid corporate structures creating unnecessary competition, indie agencies make space for support and leadership, ultimately building a team of individuals who share a common goal and encourage each other to thrive
Words by Katie Bell-Wright, Account Executive, The Romans.
More voice, more influence
In an indie environment, women can operate with agility and creativity thanks to flatter hierarchies and smaller, more agile and dynamic teams. Our voices are not just heard more often — they actively shape conversations and decision-making, which prioritizes impact over legacy structures. It may be a cliché, but it holds true that everyone, and every woman, has a voice in the room and a seat at the table. The result is naturally more diverse perspectives influencing both business and client strategy.
By nature, indie agencies are more democratic and focused on a shared vision. This leads to more productive collaboration, which in turn presents safer, fairer opportunities for women to speak up, be heard, and deliver impact where it matters.
Words by Kassandra Panagiotopoulos, Head of Strategy, The Romans.
Don’t fit the mould, break it
I did not join an indie agency to fit into the industry. I joined to help reshape it. Here, I do not have to ask for a seat at the table—I get to design it from scratch, surrounded by people who see potential, not limitations.
Without the weight of legacy structures dictating who gets to lead, we are rewriting the rules, redrawing the boundaries, and proving that leadership does not have a single look, voice, or gender. Success is not about blending in, playing nice, or waiting our turn. It is about making space, making noise, and making change. Ambition is not something to soften, shrink, or “manage”; it is the main event. And the best part? The industry is taking notes.
Words by Maulini Sikri, Senior Account Executive, The Romans.
Permission to lead?
Many of us have experienced how traditional agencies can slow women down, making career growth as much about navigating politics as driving real impact. But in indie agencies, that extra step? It’s gone.
More and more, these are the places where women rise based on what they bring to the table, full stop. No shrinking, no softening, no playing small to be ‘likeable.’ Leadership here comes with no asterisks attached. Emotional intelligence isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’—it’s the edge that makes teams stronger, ideas sharper, and cultures better. Because when one of us wins, we all do. The result? Women who lead without compromise. Teams that thrive because they’re built on trust, not titles. A workplace that finally works for all of us.
Words by Marissa Ganeshwaran, Account Manager, The Romans.
Shape the future, don’t follow it
In an indie agency, we’re not just keeping up with change—we’re making it happen. There’s no rigid structure telling us to follow the way things have always been done.
Instead, we have the space to challenge ideas, push boundaries, and create something new. Whether it’s rethinking how we tell stories, shaping more inclusive campaigns, or driving real business impact, we get to be at the forefront—not just adapting to industry shifts, but actively shaping what comes next. And that’s the kind of work that truly matters.
Words by Sarah Mansour, Account Director, The Romans.
