Roanna Williams is currently the Chief Creative Officer at Net#work BBDO, a digATL agency that strives to do culturally relevant work with a human first approach. She is the first female Chairperson of the Creative Circle, a business resource that focuses on maintaining high levels of creativity in the South African advertising industry. She sits on the Loeries board and is a visual artist when time between work, family and travel permits. Her 20+ years of industry experience includes most of South Africa’s top agencies and, her and her teams have managed to successfully scoop up some local and international awards. Recently, however, she had a #meltdown. She melted 27 years of Net#work BBDO’S awards and cast them into 670 gratitude pendants and returned them to each and every person who was involved in making them happen. Her mantra in life is Theodore Roosevelt’s speech “The (Wo)Man in the Arena.” She is driven to uplift and grow the remarkable young talent in South Africa, and advocates for an industry that is diverse and inclusive where we all have an opportunity, a voice and a seat at the table. She believes that creativity has the responsibility and power to aid and solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Creativity is her way of having an impact in the world, leaving a legacy and touching human lives.