about the board
Lady Liberty welcomes Advisory Board Chair, Daniela Varela, Group Creative Director at Weber Shandwick, joined by Damasia Merbilhaa, Global Head of Agency Partners, Omnicom Advertising, and Lenore Moritz, founder of momentum, a leadership coaching firm focused on helping executives navigate complex challenges and career aspirations. Together, they will help guide Lady Liberty’s mission to support women across every stage of their creative careers.
Pillars
Support
Emerging talent breaking into the industry.
mentorship
For mid-to senior-level women stepping into leadership.
Create
Pathways for women re-entering the industry after maternity leave or layoffs.
NYF Lady Liberty Leadership Program is an initiative of the New York Festivals designed to empower women in advertising through mentorship, learnings, and meaningful connections in the vibrant heart of NYC.
There can never be enough channels for creating safer spaces for women to connect and expand their knowledge, hone their leadership skills and find their own voice all while growing their network base. That’s what we hope to create. Welcome!
Overview
In a world where collaboration fuels success, the Lady Liberty Program aims to create an inclusive environment where women can share experiences, gain insights, and expand their networks—because every voice matters, and every connection counts.
We believe in the power of community, so our program is not just about learning; it’s about forging bonds with fellow creatives, sharing stories, and supporting each other on the journey.
Inspired by the enduring symbol of Lady Liberty herself—strength, vision, and welcome—the program is envisioned as a tiered experience that supports women across all stages of their careers.
From emerging talent to seasoned leaders, each level of the program is shaped to provide opportunities for growth, leadership development, and network-building. With flexibility at its core, the program can be tailored to meet the evolving needs of partners who share our values.
Together, we envision building more than a leadership program—we want to be part of a movement that honors creativity, champions equity, and empowers women to take on more leadership and while feeling energized to be in this industry.
Past events
Kick-off Event
Our event featured a one-day event with six specialized speakers. Participants with five to eight years of agency experience were nominated by their peers from past New York Festival Jury members and award winners.
The attendees not only gained insight from the thoughtful topics that aligned with their career trajectory but to find each other in the most human way in a small group.
Hosted at 7 WTC, an exclusive space with an incredible view of the city, the event was held in March to coincide with International Women’s Day. Participants connected via their social networks and created their own chat groups to stay in touch with each other throughout the year.
Social Hour Sponsored
By The Weber Shandwick Collective
The Journey from Self-Doubt to Empowerment
The day of talks reflected on the journey of creative leadership: beginning with claiming one's story, overcoming doubt, sustaining the spark, relying on others, pushing through discomfort, and ultimately becoming a force that uplifts others.
In addition to connecting with presenters and gaining direct LinkedIn access to industry leaders, participants are invited to join one of NYF’s prestigious Shortlist Juries—whether in Advertising, Health, or AME (strategy)—granting them unique industry insights and influence. Plus, as alumni, they’ll be invited to future gatherings to reconnect, network, and continue building bonds with their Lady Liberty peers.
Increasing personal and professional presence with more visibility online.
Growing personally and professionally within unique groups and teams.
Increasing insight to advocacy tools that drive internal change within company policies to better address the needs of women.
Speakers
Tina Cervera
Executive Creative Leadership
Topic Earn Your Story
Marina Cuesta
Group Creative Director, Regional Co-Leader Círculo Creativo USA
Topic The Team for Your Solo: The Importance of Mentorship
Maddy kramer
Creative Director
Dentsu
Topic Finding Your Voice: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome through Passion Projects
Daniela Varela
Group Creative Director
The Weber Shandwick Collective
Topic Wearing Out Your Shoes: Why Growth Hurts and How to be Comfortable with It
Damasia Merbilhaa
Vice President, Latin America
TBWA\Worldwide
Topic Fire Always Needs O2: How to Keep the Creative Spark Alive without Burning Out
Amy Fortunato
VP, Group Creative Director
KLICK Health
Topic Empowered Women Empower Women
masterclass series
Presented by June Laffey
We hosted a series of Masterclasses led by renowned creative leader June Laffey, who has a strong track record for shaping healthcare advertising over three decades and now coaches the global creative community across all sectors. These Masterclasses met our intention to help rising creatives add to their toolbox for a stronger creative foundation.
June is on a mission to inspire, empower and lift-up a new kind of leader. She strives to help creatives channel their talent, passion and power to break through self-limiting beliefs and rise to their full potential through insights, tools and strategies she had learned over the years. Her two masterclasses definitely met her goal to inspire!
attacks & hacks
The Attacks & Hacks Masterclass was an inspiring session on new ways of approaching work, sparking ideas, and elevating them to brilliance. June shared habits and mindsets that transform creative outcomes, along with practical hacks for fresh, brave thinking and tackling briefs from unexpected angles.
Awards Case Studies
The Awards Case Studies Masterclass proved to be an invigorating session featuring June's proven formula for creating award-winning case studies with confidence. Using real New York Festivals winners, attendees saw exactly how powerful stories are distilled into two minutes, and had a clear plan long for how to creating stunning Case Studies before submission time.
mentee jury
Lady Liberty Leadership Program Mentee Jury
As part of the NYF Lady Liberty Leadership Mentor Program, mentees are invited to join a New York Festivals Shortlist Jury. This unique opportunity offers a step into the world of judging early in the creative career span.
Alex Edmondson
VP Associate Creative Director, Copy
TBWA\WORLDHEALTH
Kristine Brown
Associate Creative Director
KLICK Health, New York
Mackenzie Keck
ACD
Art Code and Theory
Marisol Acuna
Copywriter
Dieste, Inc.
Amber McDonald
Associate Creative Director
Publicis
Sarika Persaud
Designer
MRM Health
Samantha Karasinski
Creative Senior Art Director
Dentsu
Arielle Henley
Senior Copywriter
MRM
Check out this invitation from Daniela Varela, Group Creative Director at The Weber Shandwick Collective who is the Lead Creative Mentor of this collaborative initiative with NYF.