Heroes Women Role Model Lists 2023 recognize three VMLY&R leaders

A trio of VMLY&R leaders have been named to the Heroes Role Model Lists supported by YouTube, calling out their work in championing women in business and nurturing a more gender diverse and inclusive workplace.

Recognized on the Heroes 100 Executives Role Model List are:

• Beth Ann Kaminkow, Global CEO of VMLY&R Commerce and CEO, VMLY&R New York (#16)
• Beth Wade, Global Chief Marketing Officer, VMLY&R

Honored on the Heroes 100 Future Leaders Role Model List is:

• Nikeisha Beckford, Group Director of Client Engagement, VMLY&R Detroit

Beth Ann Kaminkow has led company and cultural transformation, bringing together world-leading capability and talent to provide unmatched expertise for clients including The Coca-Cola Company, SC Johnson, Mazda, General Mills and more, at a time of unprecedented global growth in Commerce. Her belief that Commerce holds the most untapped creative potential to grow brands and people has led to delivery of new and innovative creative commerce experiences that harness data and technology to build brands and sell products across channels. Her experience spans all areas of retail, brand, sales, and marketing, as a founding member of a successful startup purchased by Omnicom, Global CMO of Westfield Corp, CEO for Kantar Consulting Americas, and the first female CEO at TracyLocke during its one-hundred-year history. She is an AdAge Women to Watch, has judged the D&ADs, EFFIEs, and, in 2022, was Cannes Lions Jury President for the newly launched Creative Commerce jury.

Beth Wade, inspired by the impactful careers of her grandmothers, champions gender equality within VMLY&R. Beth has facilitated meaningful change and growth as a founding member, chair, and executive sponsor of Lumina, VMLY&R's employee resource network for women. With more than 500 members and a growth rate exceeding 50% in 2022, Lumina delivers valuable programming and initiatives, including support for nonprofits, safe space discussions, policy enhancements, and a Buddy Program. Beth has created captivating content, including her "Innovators Chat" LinkedIn interview series, which highlights inspirational stories of entrepreneurial women, and her former podcast, "VMLY&R Women Around the World," which highlighted diverse career paths. She's created VMLY&R’s Re/Imagine client event series, hosted industry panels and received prestigious awards, including 2023 Ingram's CMO of the Year and 2022 Top 50 Women Leaders in Missouri.

Nikeisha Beckford leads the agency’s Detroit office. As Office Lead and former Fluorescent Co-chair, VMLY&R's Black employee resource group, she has championed inclusion and belonging within the organization's 18 nationwide offices, particularly for Black women. She co-produced and co-hosted VMLY&R's 2022 Just Ad Flava conference, engaging employees and client partners in conversations about Black health, wellness, and culture in advertising. A true advocate for women's well-being, Nikeisha co-produced community conversations and fireside chats for Just Ad Flava, touching on navigating the healthcare system and prioritizing mental and emotional wellness. She's also a co-founder of The Level, a vodcast dissecting cultural, corporate, and industry issues, and she's featured at "Wednesday Wellth" discussions by Hue, a nonprofit amplifying BIPOC voices and careers. A founding member of Detroit's Black Girls Social Club, she's dedicated to sisterhood, community, and mentoring, exemplifying her commitment to uplifting women.

“I’m so thrilled to be celebrating our 2023 Heroes Role Models, a global group of trailblazing Executives, Future Leaders and Advocates driving change for women in business,” said Suki Sandhu OBE, founder and CEO of Involve. “All the individuals within these lists are championing inclusion and leveraging their expertise and knowledge to drive impactful initiatives and strategic change within their organizations. It’s vital that women across global organizations can succeed and achieve career success, and these Role Models are essential drivers of change who are smashing barriers to progress. We could not effect change without them leading the way.”

Leaders at VMLY&R have consistently received recognition and honors, with Ronnie Felder, VMLY&R global chief people officer, being named to the Heroes 35 Advocates List 2022, Debbi Vandeven, VMLY&R global chief creative officer, included on the Heroes 100 Executives Role Model List for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2021, and Jacquie Van Der Veur, VMLY&R senior communications manager, being included on the Heroes 100 Future Leaders Role Model List 2022.

VMLY&R prioritizes building a connected community across more than 13,000 people in 80-plus offices around the world. By fostering a culture of belonging, the agency creates an environment where employees can bring their authentic selves to work.

VMLY&R has received numerous accolades and recognition for its commitment to diversity and inclusion — and as a great place to work. Some of the notable achievements include:

• In 2023, AAF named VMLY&R Mosaic Champion (Organization), with the company’s Detroit Experience Studio winning Best Student D&I Program
• In 2023, Fast Company named VMLY&R to its Best Workplaces for Innovators list
• In 2023, Investing in Ethnicity named VMLY&R UK a Top 25 employer
• In 2022, Campaign magazine named VMLY&R the Best Place to Work: Global Network
• In 2022, LinkedIn recognized VMLY&R as one of the top three companies to work for in marketing and advertising
• In 2022, New York Festivals Advertising Awards named VMLY&R 3D DE&I Agency of the Year
• In 2022, The Drum Agency Awards named VMLY&R a finalist in Best Health & Wellbeing Initiative
• In 2022 and 2021, VMLY&R received a perfect score on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index and VMLY&R Mexico received a perfect score in the Human Rights Foundation’s Equidad MX
• In 2021, The Drum Awards for Digital Industries named VMLY&R the EMEA Diversity & Inclusion Company of the Year
• In 2021, Marketing Interactive named VMLY&R a Top 20 agency in EMEA in its Adland’s Diversity & Inclusion Index
• For multiple years in a row, The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has ranked VMLY&R in the Top 100 of all U.S. companies