In recognition of International Women’s Day 2025 on 8th March, IAB Europe is celebrating the incredible women who help shape our organisation and industry. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, reflects the drive, dedication, and leadership that fuel progress within our business and beyond.
Throughout March, we’re highlighting the diverse roles, experiences, and achievements of the women at IAB Europe. By sharing thoughts and stories, we hope to inspire and encourage more women to pursue careers in digital advertising and showcase the collective impact of our team.
Today, we’re excited to introduce Nina Hamann. Originally from Germany, Nina is our Public Policy & Communications Officer who is based in Brussels. She is the policy lead on AI and coordinates our organisation's podcast and newsletter, ‘Policy Matters’. Here’s what Nina has to say.
Q. What does International Women's Day mean to you personally?
International Women’s Day carries two feelings for me: solidarity and disillusionment, if I were to describe it in very simplified terms.
On the one hand, you get excited to see maaaaany social media posts from different organisations and companies about women in the workplace, women in leadership positions, and more. For me, it always feels like we are all in this together as women, which is amazing. But that feeling only lasts for a couple of minutes. After that, you close the tab of happy and supportive social media posts, and that excitement shifts to a feeling of: What does it actually matter? Is this day changing anything? Who actually cares? This might also be my cynical German attitude speaking, as I know that in other cultures, International Women’s Day is actually a very big deal. But in my perception, the day can serve as a good occasion to launch a communication strategy for companies working in the field of gender equality or for corporations to showcase how much they are doing for gender equality. But in the end, you go back to work like any other day. And this is what I mean by disillusionment—are we really changing anything with International Women’s Day?
I think it is important to hold onto the excitement that I described earlier and let it be the overwhelming emotion here because we can utilise this day to do more - to actually feel like it has an impact.
What I want to say is that we should all think about how we can use this day for ourselves. Reflect on how far we have come, who our role models are, how we can be a role model to others, or who inspires us - how we inspire others, and where we want to go next. Because even if the current political climate feels like we are taking ten steps backwards in terms of equal opportunities for all genders and non-genders, I believe that the mindset of progress is always there - and it is not going anywhere.
It is about persistence, about not giving up or getting discouraged. We have come a long way, and the only way to go is forward.
Q. How can we all contribute to creating more inclusive workplaces, not just on IWD but every day?
This is such an important question to ask. I think that every company, employer, and employee should ask themselves that question. But answering it is not an easy one.
From my personal experience, one of the things I appreciate most about IAB Europe is that it is a workplace filled with highly skilled, ambitious individuals - each excelling in their own unique way. The drive, expertise, and determination of my colleagues make for an incredibly dynamic environment, and most importantly: it’s so much fun! With just 23 people in our team, we represent around 15 different nationalities, and every single person brings something valuable to the table. Our differences go beyond nationalities - we come from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, have varying career paths, and approach challenges with different perspectives. And yet, I have never experienced a more supportive and engaging work climate.
Of course, no company is a perfect example of diversity and inclusion, and IAB Europe is no exception. But what makes a real difference is the willingness to take that extra second to think about inclusivity - whether it is ensuring diverse representation at events, making sure all voices are heard in discussions, or fostering an environment where people feel empowered to contribute their ideas.
So, how can we make inclusivity a daily practice rather than a once-a-year conversation? For me, it boils down to these ideas:
At the end of the day, inclusion is not a box to check. International Women’s Day is a great reminder of this, but it should not be the only time we think about it.
Q. What’s one accomplishment you’re particularly proud of or excited about in your career at IAB Europe and what’s still to come?
I think I am most proud of my professional development at IAB Europe - or rather, the growth I have experienced through my work here. I started as a trainee with a background in international relations, gender studies, and women’s rights. At first, navigating the complexities of tech policy and the digital advertising industry felt overwhelming. It was a completely new world, and wrapping my head around its intricate dynamics took time.
But now, I can see my own development so clearly, and I can trace it back to a series of small yet transformative experiences. In what feels like a short time, I have moderated a policy event, participated in AI policy panels, taken ownership of specific work tracks where I am the expert, and built the confidence to not only express my ideas but also defend them with conviction. I no longer just contribute - I try to actively shape discussions.
This growth has been made possible by the support of my colleagues and our leadership, who have given me the space to find my voice, refine my expertise, and take on new challenges. In terms of what’s next - I have just begun a certification programme to deepen my skills in policy communications alongside my advocacy work. This will allow me to bring even more creativity into what I do - helping us reach more people and communicate our messages more clearly and effectively. So very exciting stuff!
Q. What advice would you give to young women aspiring to join the field of public policy in a competitive and fast-paced environment such as the digital advertising ecosystem?
In my opinion, as women, we often second-guess ourselves. We analyse everything we might want to say or ask in a meeting multiple times before deciding whether to speak up at all. We tend to be our own harshest critics. The most important thing for young women to realise is that they should not be afraid to speak up - they should trust in their abilities and have confidence in themselves.
Ask questions. Show your interest visibly. Your written output, while important, does not always speak for itself. How you present yourself , your verbal contributions, your presence in discussions matters. It shapes how you are perceived within your team and the company as a whole, and over time, it strengthens your confidence. I know how difficult this can be as a young professional. I have been there myself, often feeling the need to reach a certain level of expertise before “daring” to voice my opinion. But the truth is, that expertise comes with time and mostly automatically. You do not have to wait until you know everything to contribute (no one really does).
The policy world can be tough. It is fast-moving, complex, highly sensitive in some areas, and - whether we like it or not - your ability to build connections plays a role. But it is also incredibly rewarding. It is exciting to be part of a policy community filled with smart people, shaping decisions that directly impact our lives. Working on policy in Brussels often feels like an adventure or sometimes more like a reality TV show.
More broadly, I know how difficult it can be for young professionals to get their foot in the door. It starts with deciding which direction you want to go in - something that, at times, can feel overwhelming. Most of us have had our own Sylvia Plath fig tree moment, looking at all the different paths ahead and struggling to choose the "right" one. Then comes the reality of Brussels’ highly competitive job market - will you even have the chance to follow the path you wanted? And if you do, are you locked into it forever?
My advice? You are never stuck. You are free to shape your own path. It may not always be the easiest or most direct route, but you’ll get there eventually.
You can read more Q&A blogs from our 'Spotlighting the Women of IAB Europe' series here.
