Women Solving the Unknown: The Many's Maggie Cadigan

Maggie Cadigan
Managing Director The Many, Boston
 



How would you describe the overall culture at your agency and would you say that there is a separate female culture?
Whether this is the right answer or the wrong answer for this survey, gender truly plays no part in defining our culture at The Many. Instead, treating each and every one of our teammates like family does. So, no matter what your gender, role, past experience, or opinions are, this respect and drive for a team-earned result rises above anything else.
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”?
Accepting that a difference of perspective, opinion or solution can come from anywhere which ultimately inspires better work to break our conventional industry molds.   
What are some of the challenges that women still face in the industry? 
Having the confidence and drive to be on the quest of ensuring what has changed and progressed can be the norm everywhere. In the wake of change like we’re experiencing today, it can be hard to jump in head-first with confidence, knowing most likely, not every culture has caught up. Working together to build that confidence will not only help break down walls, but help build a better industry.
What steps do you take to ensure you achieve a healthy work-life balance? 
I once had a boss leave the industry to start a family, and on her way out she noted two incredibly important lessons for me. (1) Trust that there will be a bit of trepidation on the road to building confidence in a brand new team. For if you can’t sort through the trials, you will never work to live, you will only live to work, and (2) Take all your vacation, every year with purpose beyond just recharging your batteries. Take it to grow in areas outside of your career path and achieve fulfillment outside of the office.
What professional achievement are you most proud of? 
Earning the opportunity to move back to my home town of Boston with the purpose of opening the first new office for an agency I truly love and believe in. 
How do you as a successful woman plan to inspire the next generation of women?
By making a commitment to champion women solving the unknown—in this moment—issues that will undoubtedly come our way in the industry and in life. If we know anything in advertising, it’s that when you see around one bush, you discover a whole new group of bushes coming your way.