Celebrating Women at AI Digital: The Stories, Spirit, and Strength Behind Our Culture

This series isn't about polished corporate messaging or carefully curated highlights. Instead, we're inviting you into the authentic, sometimes messy, always inspiring reality of building a culture where everyone can thrive. We'll share stories that make us proud, challenges that help us grow, and the everyday moments that remind us why we love what we do.

And what better way to launch this series than by celebrating the remarkable women who help shape our company's present and future? As we reflect on Women's Month 2025, we're honored to spotlight the voices, wisdom, and unique perspectives of the women who make AI Digital what it is today.

Celebrating women, every day

Our Women's Month campaign wasn't born in a boardroom or from a corporate calendar reminder. It started with a conversation among team members who wanted to create space for the diverse voices of women across AI Digital, not just in March, but as part of an ongoing commitment to recognition and inclusion.

The idea came from our People & Culture team but quickly evolved into a company-wide initiative, with team members across departments contributing questions, sharing stories, and amplifying each other's voices. While International Women's Day gave us a natural moment to launch this celebration, we see this campaign as just one expression of values we uphold year-round: respect, authenticity, and the belief that diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes.

In an industry still working toward gender balance, these celebrations matter. But at AI Digital, we believe that highlighting women's contributions isn't just about representation, it's about creating a workplace where different leadership styles, communication approaches, and problem-solving methods are genuinely valued.

As I have described it, "Success isn't about being fearless. It's about moving forward with fear." This campaign is about moving forward together, acknowledging both challenges and triumphs, and learning from each other along the way.

Our Instagram series captured snapshots of wisdom, but we wanted to go deeper. Here on our blog, we're sharing more of these stories and reflecting on what they tell us about the culture we're building together.

Meet the women of AI Digital

The heart of our Women's Month campaign was a series of thoughtful questions that invited reflection, vulnerability, and wisdom-sharing. The responses revealed common threads that connect us, while highlighting the unique perspectives each woman brings to AI Digital. Here's what we learned:

The unglamorous truth about success

Behind every achievement and milestone are realities that rarely make it into the highlight reel. Our team shared refreshingly honest insights about what success really demands:

Our team shared refreshingly honest insights about what success really demands:

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"Some of the moments that matter most center around your willingness to roll up your sleeves and just do the hard work that needs to be done to push through. Being willing to set an example alongside your team some days."
— Katie Hardwick, VP of Client Service - see Katie's full feature

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"Exhaustion is real—even when you are inspired and motivated by the work and people around you. Breaks are absolutely necessary so that you can reboot and show up at your best consistently."
— Britany Scott, VP of Growth, Smart Supply - see Britany's full feature
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"People don't talk enough about how many challenges and setbacks are behind every success. Success isn't about getting everything right from the start—it's about how we adapt and grow along the way."
— Anna Nizkaya, SVP of Media Operations - see Anna's full feature‍‍
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"Even the people closest to you might not believe in your vision. Friends, family, and colleagues may question your choices, maybe even tell you it won't work. But if you truly believe in what you're doing, you have to keep pushing forward."
— Daria Klokova, Team Lead, Planning - see Daria's full feature‍‍
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"Success isn't a straight line, it's a cycle of progress, fails, and constant learning. Progress isn't always exciting. It's built on small, consistent actions, trial and error, and staying adaptable when things don't go as planned."
— Darya Antipenkova, Head of Performance Optimization - see Darya's full feature‍‍
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"Sometimes, adaptability is more important than talent or vision. The most successful people and companies aren't necessarily the smartest or the most innovative—they're the ones who adjust quickly, learn from setbacks, and embrace change as a constant."
— Julia Shamara, Media Optimization Director - see Julia's full feature‍‍
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"The other side of success is that you have to take steps toward your goals every day, regardless of how you feel, your motivation level, or your mood. Behind every bright achievement lies a journey of self-discipline."
— Gabriella Kazaku, Media Optimization Director - see Gabriella's full feature‍‍
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"Success often means constantly navigating frustration, staying adaptable amidst never-ending changes, and building resilience. Most of the time, you just keep going, adjusting, and moving forward—quietly but persistently."
— Natalia Kishinets, Senior VP of Data & Product Operations - see Natalia's full feature‍‍
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“Success doesn’t depend solely on you but also on the environment you’re in, the people you interact with, the team you join, and how lucky you are.”
— Anastasia Lagosha, Media Optimization Director - see Anastasia's full feature

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Discovering our strengths

The unique value these women bring to AI Digital extends far beyond their professional credentials, it shines through in the personal qualities they've nurtured throughout their journeys:

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"I've always felt things intensely and cared incredibly deeply about all facets of my life. I used to see it as a weakness career wise... But as I established my career in Account Management, I quickly realized that empathy and emotional intelligence are critical for building thriving and long lasting client relationships."
— Katie Hardwick, VP of Client Service

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"For a long time, I thought being a kind and empathetic leader was a weakness. Only recently did I realize how powerful it actually is. The best part? I see this quality in my leaders too, and it makes our team truly special."
— Anna Nizkaya, SVP of Media Operations

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"When I joined AI Digital, I realized that the way I naturally cared for my colleagues—and later, how I gave individual attention to each team member—had a huge impact on business results. Over time, I understood that this is one of my biggest strengths and what makes me a good leader."
— Gabriella Kazaku, Media Optimization Director

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"The ability to stay calm in uncertainty and crisis. For a long time, I thought success was about reacting fast, but I've learned that often, the most useful thing is to take a step back."
— Darya Antipenkova, Head of Performance Optimization

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“I’ve long realized that the key to success lies in the people around you and the team you build.”
— Anastasia Lagosha, Media Optimization Director

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"I've always been very direct and bold—something I once saw as a flaw. But over time, I realized that this clarity, the ability to ask the right questions and quickly spot important nuances, is actually one of my biggest strengths."
— Natalia Kishinets, Senior VP of Data & Product Operations

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Looking to the future

When asked what excites them about the next five years at AI Digital, our team shared visions that balance innovation with human connection:

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"I'm most excited about the continued growth and rapid evolution of CTV/OTT! The continued innovations with interactivity of the ad experience and the advanced targeting possibilities beyond the limits of linear TV are incredible."
— Katie Hardwick, VP of Client Service

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"Over the next five years, I'm thrilled by the opportunity to build one of the best programmatic teams on the market. Imagine a team that not only optimizes media spend but also elevates genuine, measurable business outcomes."
— Sofia Arkhipova, Talent Acquisition Director  - see my full feature

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“What I really love about working at AI Digital is that I get to do so much more than just focus on my core speciality. I can clearly see how my work impacts the business, and that’s incredibly meaningful—it gives me a powerful sense of motivation and a drive to keep growing.”
— Anastasia Lagosha, Media Optimization Director

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"The most exciting part of the future is knowing that, even as we grow, we're committed to keeping our culture warm, supportive, and people-driven. It's what defines us as a team, and I want to make sure that never changes."
— Anna Nizkaya, SVP of Media Operations

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"What excites me most is how AI connects different fields in unexpected ways. It's not just a tool—it's a bridge that helps us think bigger and work smarter."
— Darya Antipenkova, Head of Performance Optimization

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"AI—without a doubt. It's both thrilling and a little terrifying. I think we're still underestimating just how fast things are evolving. In the next few years, I believe AI will fundamentally reshape not only our industry but many others too."
— Natalia Kishinets, Senior VP of Data & Product Operations

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These personal reflections, when viewed as a whole, illuminate the collaborative spirit and shared values that make our environment uniquely ours.

Why culture matters at AI Digital

At AI Digital, we've learned that the most powerful technology is only as effective as the people behind it. While our industry often focuses on innovation, algorithms, and performance metrics, we've built our foundation on something deeper: a culture where human connections thrive.

The principles that guide us aren't framed on a wall gathering dust—they come alive in how we treat each other and approach our work every day:

• Respect isn't just politeness, it's creating space where every voice matters, where we lead with kindness and assume good intent across time zones, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Responsibility means owning not just our successes but our learning moments too. It's showing up for each other and taking pride in collective achievement.
• Radical curiosity drives us to keep questioning, learning, and pushing boundaries—both in our work and in how we support each other.
• Authenticity is why we encourage everyone to bring their whole selves to work. The stories shared in this campaign reveal how our differences strengthen us rather than divide us.
• Transparency builds the trust that makes everything else possible, from honest feedback to celebrating milestones.

Culture at AI Digital isn't something separate from our business strategy, it's what makes that strategy possible. When Katie talks about rolling up her sleeves alongside her team, when Britany emphasizes the importance of rest, they're not just sharing personal philosophies. They're revealing the human foundation that supports everything we create.

"At AI Digital, we don't just build digital solutions, we build a workplace where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. We believe that company culture isn't a perk, it's the product of everyday actions, decisions, and conversations. And that culture is built by people, not processes."

— From our People & Culture Philosophy

The women featured in this campaign represent different roles, departments, and perspectives, but they share something important: they don't just work at AI Digital—they actively shape what it means to work here. When they talk about facing challenges, celebrating wins, or growing professionally, they're painting the vivid picture of who we are as a company, one personal story at a time.

Here, we value the whole person beyond their role description. We prioritize purpose over performance metrics. We believe that content—whether it's an Instagram campaign, a team meeting, or a client presentation—should feel human, not sound branded. Above all, the genuine connections we build with each other give us exactly what we need: creativity that flows, flexibility when things change, and the strength that comes from truly supporting one another through every new chapter.

Closing reflections: This is just the beginning

The stories we've shared today are just glimpses into the remarkable women who help make AI Digital what it is. Every day, they're bringing these values to life by pushing boundaries, supporting each other, and building something special together.

This Women's Month celebration is just the first chapter in our ongoing "Life at AI Digital" series. In the coming months, we'll be turning our spotlight to more of the people and stories that make our culture unique. For Father's Day, we'll be exploring perspectives on balancing work and family life. Later, we'll take you inside our global hubs to show how our teams bring local flavor to our global mission.

Want more behind-the-scenes glimpses of life at AI Digital? Follow us on Instagram where we regularly share team moments, celebrations, and the everyday magic that happens when passionate people work together. 

And if what you've read resonates with you, if you're looking for a place where you can bring your whole self to work and be valued for exactly who you are, we'd love to meet you. Our careers page lists current openings, but even if you don't see a perfect match, reach out. We're always looking for people who share our values and want to grow with us.

After all, the story of AI Digital isn't written in advance, it's created every day by the people who choose to be part of our journey. We hope you'll join us for the next chapter.