“Women Coming Into Their Careers Now Are Already Breaking Perceptions”: AKQA MD Alisia Muscat Reflects On Her Time As A Woman Leading Tech

Alisia Muscat is the managing director of design and innovation company AKQA.
AKQA is one of the sponsors of the B&T Women Leading Tech Awards, which is returning for its second year in 2021.
Muscat’s career at AKQA has spanned thirteen years and she reflects that at times, she has lacked “a sense of belonging” in the industry.
She explained to B&T that, “when I was appointed as general manager, I had someone say, ‘I just don’t see you in that capacity’. And whilst it did instil quite a lot of doubt, I knew it reflected how I looked compared to the standard model of an agency leader.”
“I was a 32-year-old young mum, behind the scenes people leader, with a little less bravado than one would expect. The industry is not used to seeing young women lead a team or business with the size and impact ours has.”
“It was a couple of years into the role when I stopped worrying about fitting the mould, and started focusing on creating a new one, as we’ve seen Jacinda Ardern do.”
This is why diversity is such a core value for her – indeed, when asked why it is important to her personally, she responded: “I think the question should be, why is it not an important issue for everyone?”
This is essential in a society where gender equality will not be reached for 99.5 years, according to the World Economic Forum.
AKQA has, globally, made important progress when it comes to diversity.
“From the very top, our culture is diverse and inclusive, putting equal effort in initiatives for how we hire, how we educate, how we connect and how we retain our talent to create more opportunities for women in our industry.”
“In my view, as an industry, we were already a long way away from where we should be for gender equality and representation in the workforce, and the pandemic has set us back. All businesses have a growing responsibility to do more.”
As Muscat points out, that diversity must also extend beyond just gender.
“When we hire, we ensure we’re addressing any areas of under-representation in the team…All hiring managers have taken unconscious bias training, conscious inclusion training and recruitment biased training, and we have designed a graduate program to support and nurture emerging talent.”
Fundamentally, the onus is on businesses to create not just a diverse workplace, but one that actively nurtures employees of all backgrounds. AKQA’s initiatives are evidence of a commitment to being agents of positive change.
On the Fortune 500 women, women of colour, women born outside of the United States, and LGBTQI+ women were, again, underrepresented – but their numbers are increasing.
Muscat described how internalised biases left her feeling grateful for opportunities, rather than deserving of them.
Because of that, “the education and inspiration I received from my peers around me, mostly younger women in our team, have been the most enlightening experience for me.”
She listed a handful of those women: Lauren Chibert, Laura McCullagh, Natalie Haslam-Conroy in particular, but emphasised that there were many others.
Brian Vella, APAC Managing Director, has worked with her since she began her career.
“[I] feel truly fortunate to have built my career with his trust and support. The lesson here is the value in advocates, building relationships with people who are committed to the growth and development of people around them. Brian is one of those leaders.”
Strong, supportive leadership is essential as people often feel more isolated when they are the “only” one on a team, whether in the case of gender, race, sexuality, disability status or others.
Having role models from diverse backgrounds also helps to nurture young leaders, who have someone like them to look up to.
“I’m very encouraged to see how well the women coming into their careers now are already breaking perceptions and creating new roles. I loved reading about Yasmin Poole this week, a ‘new look leader’ who already has the wisdom and confidence to path new ways for other women, and minority communities,” Muscat said.
“Yasmin was the youngest member of the Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence and Top 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian Australians. She was also named ANU’s 2020 Undergraduate Volunteer of the Year.”
With these factors in mind, B&T launched the Women Leading Tech Awards in 2020. Now in its second year, we are upping the ante, expanding awards categories and partnering with industry-leading organisations making diversity and inclusion front-and-centre.
Muscat herself will be moderating this year’s Women Leading Tech Awards,
“We want to be a part of something that helps change the industry so we can continue to diversify our environment,” she explained.
“If we can support an initiative that is seeking to positively change the landscape, for our team, that’s something we have a responsibility to be a part of.
“Our purpose is that we exist to create a better future. A better future is one where the leadership and decision makers of not only our businesses, but of brand marketing and experience, better reflect the diversity of our communities.”
Latest News

Man Of Many Joins The Australian Press Council
Listing a Mumbrella Award under the accomplishments of Man of Many guarantees scorn from the B&T editorial team.

Ubiquity Lab Expands Team: Nidhi Rajan Joins As Director Of Digital & Performance
It's always good to have someone keep tabs on whether you're underperforming.

Elsa Pataky Hits The Cover Of T Australia
The article compares Pataky's life balance to cocktail ingredients. B&T's recipe would be gin, schnapps and regret.

PlayStation Australia Put NSW And QLD Head-To-Head In Gran Turismo 7 Campaign Via Creative PR Agency Poem
For anyone who wants to take a car and go through the city streets at 200 m/ph.

“Be Very Careful!” Liberal MP Tim Smith Threatens To Take Action Against Teenage Journo
Maybe this little conflict can be resolved in the principal's office or over decaffeinated coffees.

State Of Origin Flasher Upstages ABC Reporter During Live Cross
It's always impressive when a supporter manages to be more badly behaved than any of the players.

Audible Announces First Nations Content For NAIDOC Week
First Nations content should be consumed all year round. But get this in your ears as a start!

10’s Star-Studded Pilot Showcase Features Courtney Act, Abbie Chatfield & Melissa Leong
Channel 10's latest pilot season line-up just screams! We want more Logies next year.

Amazon Staff Ask The Company To Pull The Plug On Books Calling Trans People ‘Mentally Ill’
If Amazon listens it will be the equivalent of putting your coffee mug in the dishwasher at work: the bare minimum.

McDonald’s Australia Announces Digital Sauce Quest
In a Willy Wonka-esque move, Maccas is sending the public on a quest for sauce, something stoners will be familiar with.

B&T Awards Adds NEW CTV Category!
Here at B&T, we love a new category as much as Kochie loves droning on about the economy.

Sunday TV Wrap: State Of Origin Game Two Is Down 100,000 Eyeballs From Last Year
If you knew our TV Reporter, you'd understand the investigative journo skills she used to know who won Origin.

Meta Shuts Down On Employees Talking About Abortion Rights, Report Says
Meta would seemingly prefer workers to talk about MySpace then Abortion Rights.

“Simple Screw Up!” The Daily Aus Mistakes German Flag For Aboriginal Flag In Editing Blunder
Here at B&T, we'd find this mistake way funnier, if we weren't all so confused about how commas work.

UN Women’s New Campaign Highlights Humanity’s Priorities
The new UN Women's Campaign is a nice reminder that some people do want women to have rights.

How To Test A Business Idea: A Step-By-Step Guide
Surely the best way to test a new idea is to go down to the pub and see if anyone calls it, "a bit shit."

Google Gives Relocation Choice To States With Abortion Rights For All Its US Employees
Packing up and moving your entire life to a place that isn't still stuck in the stone ages is totally a thing now.

Carat Lands $10m Funding For MOOD Tea’s Woolworths Launch
MOOD tea is clearly targeted at younger audiences who can say stuff like "yass" while downing some earl grey.

Cannes Lions: Oglivy Named Network Of The Year, Dentsu Bengaluru Picks Up Agency Of The Year Award
All winners walk away with industry bragging rights and probably a nasty hangover too.

Former Foxtel Exec Launches On-Demand Service Oh! Jazz
If you want to feel better than everyone, but can't be bothered going to a Jazz Club, Oh! Jazz is for you!

Kantar Push Sustainability Efforts Through Appointment Of Bethan Hockey
Feeling smug that you own a Keep Cup? Sorry, sweetie that simply isn't enough.

B&T’s Best Of The Best Late Entries Close Friday + Judges Wanted!
Missed the original deadline? Here's another deadline, although this is actually the last one.

Could The Gift of Adventure Help Drive Your Next Promotion?
Give up on the branded akubra for your GWP, no-one wants it. Try something with a little more adrenaline involved!

Delacon Becomes The First To Release Call Tracking Technology Integration For Google Ads Within APAC Region
Call tracking technology... try finding three more threatening words to put together in a sentence, we dare you!

Eastern Standard Times Hold Launch Event In Deeply Cultural Setting
Global media network Eastern Standard Times had their official launch event on Thursday (23/6) night at the Lucky Kwong restaurant in Sydney’s South Eveleigh, with the focus being placed on how this platform will provide Asian communities in Australia with a greater insight on what they need to know. Editor-in-chief Keshia Hannam, who served as […]

Samsung Slammed With $14M Fine By Federal Court For “Misleading Waterproof Claims”
Thank god we have Korean boy bands because some of the country's leading brands lead a lot to be desired.

Woolworths’ Andrew Hicks Named As One Of The World’s Top 50 CMOs
Woolies' marketing supremo celebrating with an iceberg lettuce or two after being named one of the world's best CMOs.

Nike To Become Latest Big Brand To Officially Abandon Russia
Russians set to queue for bread in their thongs as Nike becomes latest western capitalist dog to exit the country.

Netflix Co-CEO Meets With Reps From Google At Cannes To Strike A Potential Ad Partnership
Ads might soon be coming to Netflix. Although we're quite sure Messrs Warburton, Sneesby etc will be having none of it.

Harrowing Campaign Shows The Last Photos & Videos Of Suicide Victims
Ready the tissues at this incredibly powerful and brave mental health initiative.

Alfi Study Reveals Entertainment & Media Will Be Main Focus Of DOOH Ads Within The Next Year
DOOH continues to prove the hot category in adland. That said, B&T's still got a soft spot for towed plane banner ads.

TV Journo Goes Viral After Mistakenly Drawing Large Penis During Report Into The Capitol Riots
Were your school days full of drawing penises on the blackboard and afternoon detentions? Relive the good times here.

ACT Responsible Awards Wunderman Thompson Australia As One Of This Year’s Champions Of Good
ACT Responsible celebrated 4 Champions for Good from the agency, advertiser, NGO and public sectors who have made an impact in the social and environmental areas and helped improve the world through personal contributions or creative campaigns. “It is not an Award. There is no competition and there is no winner. The goal of this […]

Thursday TV Wrap: Footy Punts Seven To A Big Win
The AFL proved a ratings winner for Seven last night. Just not in Sydney, were no one gives a shit unless the Swans win.

WARC Announce The Winners For Their 2022 Award In Effectiveness
If B&T ever had an award for effectiveness, it would go to our publican for his 5-6pm half-price pints happy hour.

Cannes Lions: VICE Media Win Third Grand Prix For Their ‘Unfiltered History Tour’
On the third day of the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the “Unfiltered History Tour” campaign by VICE Media walked away with yet another Grand Prix, this time in the Social & Influencer Lions. The campaign, which was held in partnership with the British Museum by the Dentsu Creative teams of Mumbai, Bengaluru […]