While men remain 2.5x more likely than women to be executives — and 10.2x more likely to be CEOs — in top leadership teams, research consistently shows that firms with more women in senior positions are more profitable, more socially responsible, and provide safer, higher-quality customer experiences. As we work to advance women in leadership across the adtech industry, open conversations break down barriers, foster mentorship, and create more inclusive pathways for growth and innovation.

OpenX partnered with Butler/Till for a panel discussion hosted by the OpenX Women in Tech (WIT) employee resource group that offered both hope and practical wisdom. The conversation was hosted by Stacy Bohrer, SVP of Buyer Development at OpenX and featured three dynamic leaders from Butler/Till: Kristie Murphy, Channel Manager, Programmatic; Sheila Herbert, VP Product; and Maggie Leathersich, Director, Strategy & Partnerships.

What emerged was a conversation filled with candor, inspiration, and a shared conviction that building a better advertising industry means creating inclusive, intentional environments where people of all backgrounds can thrive. That’s a value shared deeply by OpenX and Butler/Till, both independent organizations committed to transparency, innovation, and equity in advertising.

1. Authenticity is a superpower — but it takes courage to develop

Authenticity is a cornerstone of effective leadership because it builds trust, engagement, and long-term credibility. Both company cultures reflect this belief, fostering environments where employees are empowered to bring their full selves to work while treating others with respect. “The top criteria [I had when looking for my next company] was I wanted to be surrounded by good humans,” said Herbert. “And even though we’re hiring at an intense rate, we have not let down the good human vibe. So it allows us to all show up authentically.”

For Murphy, the inability to show up fully often stems from nervousness or anxiety. “I personally think that we often overthink and make things much harder than they actually are,” she said. “The build-up is often worse than how we actually show up.”

Leathersich offered a practical lens: “If everyone on your team is crystal clear about what the bigger goals are for the team and the expectations, I think how you show up is kind of uniquely yours.” She also noted the value of diversity in creating that kind of psychological safety. Both OpenX and Butler/Till recognize that when people feel safe to be themselves, they’re more likely to contribute creatively, take calculated risks, and drive innovation.

2. “Building,” not pivoting: Reframing career choices

Throughout the conversation, the idea of “career pivots” was dismantled in real time. Listening to the other panelists recount their career paths, Herbert had a keen observation: “I don’t hear this as pivots,” she said. “I hear this as building.”

Murphy shared a story of navigating early roles that didn’t align with her long-term goals, but helped her discover her own strengths: “Sometimes the opportunity isn’t clear — you have to make it yourself.” Leathersich similarly emphasized the value of carrying lessons forward: “I always learned from my past experiences and brought them to the new ones.”

This ethos aligns with Butler/Till’s strategic approach to growth — a company that has expanded rapidly while staying grounded in its values. As Herbert reminded the audience: “We’ve hired 159 people this year, but what we haven’t lost is our ability to connect.”

3. Establishing strategic boundaries for personal growth

The panel addressed a critical challenge for ambitious professionals: maintaining boundaries without appearing less committed. Their insights revealed boundaries as strategic tools rather than limitations.

“Boundaries are not just ‘these are my working hours,’ right?” Herbert explained. “Boundaries are, am I being asked to show up in a way that I don’t feel good about? Am I being asked to be in a room of people that don’t make me feel good?”

Leathersich, a mother of two, demonstrated how clear boundaries can coexist with high performance: “Everyone knows I’m out of here at five, but there’s definitely times I work at night. It’s a give and take.”

Both OpenX and Butler/Till understand that sustainable success requires more than individual effort — it depends on collective alignment. A positive culture goes beyond mere policies. When everyone on the team is pulling in the same direction, it creates the space for real work-life balance, and encourages people to show up fully — both at work and at home.

4. The multiplier effect of mentorship

As the conversation turned to long-term change, panelists acknowledged that real representation in tech starts long before someone submits a resume. “I hope engineers are mentoring young women who are thinking about pursuing this field,” said Herbert. “You may not see the change yourself, but you are creating generational change.”

Leathersich added, “If you’re in this room and you’re touching any aspect of digital media, you are a woman in tech.”

Mentorship is essential not just for guidance, but for validation. Murphy reflected on the importance of leaders who took a chance on her: “Someone has to give a manager their first chance.” Herbert gave a heartfelt tribute to her early mentor, Lisa Fitzgerald: “I think about her several times a week. The space she created for me changed my life.”

This mentorship mindset creates what Herbert calls “generational change” — work that may not yield immediate results but builds a foundation for future women leaders. It’s a philosophy that both OpenX and Butler/Till embrace through their commitment to developing diverse talent pipelines.

5. AI as an enabler, not a threat

Given the rapid integration of AI across the adtech ecosystem, the panel’s perspective on artificial intelligence offered reassurance and strategic direction.

“We’ve been using machine learning and algorithms since the dawn of time in programmatic,” Leathersich noted. “AI and automation is meant to help automate all of the things that are repeatable tasks that we as humans are way more capable of. So I think it’s meant to help all of us level up.”

Herbert emphasized the human element that AI cannot replace: “There’s something uniquely human that we’re going to contribute both to the development of those tools and the use of those tools. So don’t be afraid of it. Embrace it, and know that this particular tool will give you more space for critical thinking.”

This perspective reflects both organizations’ approach to innovation — embracing technological advancements while maintaining focus on the human insights and relationships that drive business results. 

6. Imposter syndrome is universal. Growth begins when you face it.

When the panelists asked the audience about imposter syndrome, nearly every hand in the room went up — a reminder that self-doubt affects professionals at every level.

“I feel imposter syndrome every day,” Herbert admitted. “But if you don’t push yourself to the next challenge, you stop growing. So I actually recommend that you put things in your path that are going to make you feel that way, and then at the same time, tell yourself the stories about all the cool shit you’ve done historically.”

Murphy added: “The only way we’re going to grow is by putting ourselves in those challenging positions outside of our comfort zone… What’s the worst that’s going to happen? You don’t know unless you try.”

Their advice: reframe imposter syndrome as a signal that you’re challenging yourself appropriately. As Leathersich put it: “If you’re in an uncomfortable place where you are feeling imposter syndrome, you’re right on track.”

Shaping the future of tech

OpenX and Butler/Till share a commitment to addressing systemic change by building a more equitable, innovative, and sustainable adtech ecosystem. Both organizations understand that diversity isn’t just morally imperative — it’s competitively essential.

Bohrer summed it up best: “At the end of the day, all we want is to be seen, valued, heard, and understood. And this partnership — this room — helps make that possible.”