Refinery29's Culture Helps Women Thrive: Ashley Miles, Chief Client Officer

Ashley Miles
Chief Client Officer Refinery29
 

How would you describe the overall culture of your company and would you say that there is a separate female culture?

We have a unified culture at Refinery29. When you live and breathe our mission to be a catalyst for women to see, feel and claim their power, you have the opportunity to create a culture that helps women thrive by celebrating individuality, originality and radical inclusivity.

In your opinion, what do you see as being the biggest change in the advertising industry since women have begun to break the “glass ceiling”?

We are seeing more female leaders than ever before, which should have a tremendous impact on how media companies and marketers communicate with women. The more the industry invests in better understanding her needs, the smarter and more credible they will show up in their communications.

What are some of the challenges that women still face in the industry?

There is still a perception in the business world that women have less stamina than men. But thanks to women’s media like Refinery29 that provide a platform for women’s voices, along with the generations of women that have fought for a woman’s place in the advertising industry, women today have more opportunities than ever before. It's important for us as women to have the confidence, creativity and bullishness to harness our power into greatness.

What steps do you take to ensure you achieve a healthy work-life balance?

This is always a challenge! Some weeks, I master it and other weeks I completely fail; however, striving for a nice rhythm between work and personal is a priority for me. As a wife and a mother of 2 daughters, being present for my family is my top priority, but my job is like my third child. My intention is to strike the right balance between personal and professional although I'm not totally convinced that's even possible, which makes me have a tremendous amount of respect for all working moms.

What professional achievement are you most proud of?

I am most proud of how my leadership style has evolved over the past five years from primarily results-driven to a more consultative and empathetic leader with a focus on hiring the best talent in the business and working with them to reach their max potential. Today, I’m more focused than ever on creating a thriving culture that keeps my team inspired and always learning and performing to the best of their ability.

Tell us about a mentor that helped guide you in your career. What made them so special?

I am lucky enough to have several mentors that inspire and support me in different ways. I was most surprised and gratified recently by a female mentor in the industry who was proactively supporting me behind-the-scenes without me even knowing! That act of support inspired me to pay it forward and advocate for another female colleague in the same way.

How do you as a successful woman plan to inspire the next generation of women?

By my actions: showing up every day as a mother, wife, leader, entrepreneur, and friend; and juggling lots of balls in the air with grace, optimism, and confidence. My goal is to lead by example and inspire other young women to dream big and live their best life.