WHO WE ARE
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Soapbox Women is a self-sustaining, independent collective committed to empowering and promoting women and gender non-conforming people in the entertainment, creative advertising, and marketing industries.
Soapbox Women was born in 2013 out of my desperate desire for community among the women in my industry. I was working at the junior level on a very tough team in an even tougher corporate environment. I needed guidance from the women around me who so clearly seemed to have it 'all figured out.'
After an evening spent celebrating the year’s most brilliant work created by the most brilliant minds in entertainment marketing (an event I was only given a ticket to attend because someone higher up on the food chain backed out of going), I was finally presented with the opportunity to meet so many women I had come to know intimately through my career – as colleagues and as people. I immediately felt bonded to these women; it’s an incredibly bonding experience to be with someone who just ‘gets’ how you spend 80% of your time. I was overwhelmed.
Why was there not a place/network already in place for us to connect? Why did it take the promise of an open bar and free parking to motivate me to introduce myself in person? I felt so great – so deeply a part of something – that night. How could I feel that way more often? I woke up the next morning and wrote an email to every woman I had ever worked with explaining how desperate I was for us to connect more and why. I needed help. I needed mentorship. Could one of these women relate to what I’m going through and if so, guide me through it? I hoped so. Could we all come together and build a network and see what happens when powerful women unite? Within five minutes of my hitting send, every single recipient of this email responded with a resounding “YES! And whatever you plan, here are five names who will want in, too.” I was blown away. This was lightning in a bottle. This was the beginning of Soapbox.
Jennifer Weg
Soapbox Women Founder
A Message from Your Soapbox President
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"Dear Soapbox Community,
I am honored to lead this next chapter of Soapbox! For years I’ve admired this organization and its ability to unite people and provide a space for conversations that directly impact how we evolve as industry leaders. Soapbox’s presence has and will continue to empower others by initiating meaningful conversations, mentoring, amplifying voices, and celebrating women and non-males across our industry. We are an organization intent on making a positive impact, and that mission will continue under the new leadership team.
I was fortunate to serve on the last leadership team, comprised of inspiring women and led by the courageous, thoughtful, and kind co-presidents Ileanna Sawyer and Celia Ryan. They set an outstanding example of what leaders of this organization should strive to be – great listeners, fair decision-makers, and passionate to the core about this organization's mission. I’m grateful to have learned from them and will continue to learn from them as they move into their new roles as Soapbox Advisors.
They also built a foundation for Soapbox. And now, as we look ahead to what’s next, I’m thrilled at the endless potential to continue doing what we do best – building connections, expanding the organization's horizons, and elevating the presence of our community. With zest and determination, the new leadership team will build upon Soapbox’s foundation – and we will ask our members to guide the way.
Thank you, Soapbox Community, for this opportunity to lead as your next president. I look forward to serving you.”
With Gratitude,
​Ashley Falls
President, Soapbox Women