Ask Natalie Maratos-McWilliams, Head of Operations at Demographica, what it means to be a woman and she’ll paint a picture far more profound than any dictionary definition could capture. For Natalie, being a woman is synonymous with embodying resilience and strength, characteristics she believes are the backbone of any thriving family or community. Despite her tomboy persona, she finds immense empowerment in embracing her femininity.
One person who embodies such power for Natalie is the first female Prime Minister of the UK, Margaret Thatcher. Natalie admires Thatcher’s ability to exhibit power without flaunting it, earning respect through her actions and principles. Thatcher’s refusal to wield her gender as a tool for progress inspires Natalie, affirming her belief that success comes from determination, hard work, and an unwavering stance.
While Natalie admits that sexism hasn’t significantly impacted her journey in the industry, she has confronted ageism and women’s preconceptions, which pose substantial challenges in leadership roles. She also emphasises the need to better support mothers rejoining the workforce after maternity leave, advocating for improved integration and resource availability to ensure their success.
Natalie states that it’s imperative to “provide better support and resources, both at a company and national level, for mothers rejoining the workforce, as it is essential to ensure their success and well-being.”
Natalie believes that the advertising and marketing industry, while far advanced in promoting gender equality compared to other sectors, still has room for improvement. She suggests fostering diversity, equal opportunity and pay, flexible work arrangements, mentorship programmes, and the elimination of gender biases as crucial elements to cultivate an inclusive workspace.
Finally, Natalie doesn’t hesitate to celebrate the women who have played a pivotal role in her life. She attributes much of her success to her caregiver, Gogo Sinah, her resilient mother, and the hardworking mothers at Demographica. These women have shown her the true meaning of grace, kindness, and perseverance.
As a piece of advice for young women venturing into the workspace, Natalie emphasises focusing on the value they create, caring genuinely but moderately, and realising that a career is not a complete reflection of who they are. In Natalie’s own words, “the grass is green where you water it.”
