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Soapbox Women is a self sustaining, independent collective committed to empowering and promoting women 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

Our Mission

WHO WE ARE

A Message from Your Soapbox Co-Presidents

 

"2021 was a big year of growth after an intense pandemic year that, honestly, we are still processing. Last January, 43 women stepped up to be part of the 2021-2023 Soapbox Leadership Team. These volunteer leaders believed in our mission, and together we worked to bring to life the next chapter of Soapbox Women (Ileanna also gave birth to her second child in September, future Soapbox woman, Theodora!). Throughout the year, our leadership gave generously of their time and resources, programming virtual events and dreaming up new ideas for the future of Soapbox. All of this work has made it possible for 2022 to be our best year yet. 

 

So what’s next for Soapbox Women in 2022…A LOT! Here are just some of the ways Soapbox has leveled up this year:

 

  • Membership Dues

Our mission to be a self-sustaining collective means that we need YOUR financial support to keep this organization running strong. Your membership dues will help sustain our operating costs, networking events, allow us to expand our offerings, and continue to level up and support our growing membership. 

 

  • Soapbox Scholarship
    In an effort to keep Soapbox Women an inclusive and equitable organization, we have also established the Soapbox Scholarship Fund to provide financial assistance for any member that is not in the position to pay their annual dues. This will ensure that anyone who wants to join Soapbox Women will have the ability to get involved. 

 

  • Membership Portal

We're excited to introduce our new member portal, the place where you will pay your dues, have access to the member directory, and sign up easily for events and workshops. 

 

  • Events & Upcoming Programming
    Get ready for more of the events that you enjoy – opportunities for personal and professional connection, panels of peers and mentors to discuss relevant trends and issues affecting us in our industry, and an exciting group mentorship opportunity for members at all career levels to enjoy. Trust us, you won’t want to miss!

 

  • Sponsorship Opportunities

Our agency and studio partners now have the opportunity to sponsor Soapbox Women and support our mission. Sponsors allow us to keep member dues as low as possible and we are so grateful to the companies that have already committed to sponsoring Soapbox for 2022.
 

Soapbox Women would be nothing without the most important element – YOU! We’re so inspired by all the women in our industry and we invite you to share your feedback as we continue growing this organization with our annual Membership Survey. Your feedback has a direct impact on the future of Soapbox Women and we thank you for coming to events and bringing your experiences, bravery, vulnerability, and openness.

 

Here’s to another year of growing with Soapbox Women." 

 

With love and gratitude, 

 

Celia Ryan and Ileanna Sawyer

Co-Presidents, Soapbox Women

MEET THE TEAM

EXECUTIVE BOARD

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Tiz Simpson

Co-VP Programming

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Crystal Causey

Soapbox Moms Co-Chair

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Celia Hubbard Ryan

Co-President

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Ileanna Sawyer

Co- President
 

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Jennifer Weg

Founder & Advisor

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Margaret Hinch

Advisor

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Graciela Del Toro

Co-VP Membership

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Kasey Waterman

Co-VP Membership

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Kerianne Lentz

Co-VP Mentorship

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Amanda Levin

Advisor

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Daphne Peponides

Advisor

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Jaling Bohannon

VP Finance

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Suzette Edwards

Co-VP Culture & Equity

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Lena Ronan

Co-VP Mentorship

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Ashley Falls

Co-VP Public Relations

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Jacky Shu

Soapbox Women
of Color Co-Chair

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Erin Beckner

Soapbox Moms Co-Chair

LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

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Caroline Cafasso

Culture & Equity Committee

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Vanessa Zarba

Culture & Equity Committee

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Rosie Buada

Culture & Equity Committee

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Kelley Kahlbehn

Finance Committee

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Heidi Strock

Membership Committee

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Jasmine Walker

Membership Committee

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Jen Grey

Membership Committee

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Fee Sandoval

Mentorship Committee

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Allyson Nevil

Mentorship Committee

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Maria Franz

Mentorship Committee

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Elisa Lovine

Programming Committee

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Rose Marie Zecua

Programming Committee

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Alyssa Donovan

PR Committee

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Kharen Hill

PR Committee

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Meagan Doonan

PR Committee

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Sarah Altepeter

Soapbox Moms Committee

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Kristen Merker

Soapbox Moms Committee

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Maura Duval Griffin

Soapbox Moms Committee

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Melissa Hwang

Soapbox Moms Committee

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Bridgette Wright

Soapbox Women
of Color Committee

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Ileanna Sawyer

Soapbox Women
of Color Committee

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Erika Anaya

Soapbox Women
of Color Committee

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Suzette Edwards

Soapbox Women
of Color Committee

Meet The Team
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