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 welcoming Inés Talavera de la Esperanza. From Spain and based in Brussels, Ines is our Public Policy Manager. In her role, she monitors EU policy, legislative developments, and plans, executes our organisation’s advocacy strategy, and serves as an EU institutional liaison related to the online media and advertising industry. And when she’s not following EU policy, she loves to whip up great menus in her kitchen. Here’s what Inés had to say.
Q. What does International Women's Day mean to you personally?
For me, and in Spain, where I am from, this day serves as a reminder to society that equality is still a work in progress. What I value most about this day is the sense of sorority among women, especially when joining one of the women's marches in the city, as we come together to share our experiences, both as individuals and as professionals.
Q. Have you had any mentors or role models who influenced your career? How did they impact your growth?
I have definitely had many role models who have influenced my career. Funny enough, my mum was my first role model - not because she was a businesswoman, but actually because she was a stay-at-home mum for a long time. Precisely for that reason, my mum and her generation in Spain have supported the coming generations in focusing on their careers and building financial independence.
As a professional, I don’t think my aspirations would have been as clear without the guidance of female bosses and industry leaders who have inspired me and given me something to aspire to. Of course, that includes our CEO, Townsend Feehan.
Q. What challenges do women especially in the field of digital public policy in Brussels still face?
One of the main challenges in Brussels is the lack of representation of women in digital public policy events, particularly those with speakers with a more technical background. Achieving gender balance at industry events remains difficult, and the private sector across the EU still has a long way to go in addressing this gap.
I am proud to say that IAB Europe promotes equality in this sense, but broader industry efforts are needed. Not only paying attention to the representation of women at public events and meetings but also starting from the bottom by encouraging more women to develop digital skills and pursue careers in more technical fields. At the same time, increasing the visibility of women already working in the industry - through public communications - can inspire the next generation by providing real examples of success.
Q. What aspects of your work do you find most fulfilling, and why?
I am a very social person, so anything that involves people is something I truly enjoy. On a more technical level, I enjoy meeting with our members to discuss policy and strategy. I also appreciate the industry relations aspect of my work, where I have the opportunity to meet many people and exchange views on various topics.
However, my favourite part of my job is public speaking and engagement. One day, I hope to inspire young women to pursue a career in public policy and show them that there is a clear career path for them in this field.
Q. What’s something you enjoy doing outside of work that people might not know about?
I LOVE cooking. I often organise lunches or dinners at my place, where I curate a full menu and wine pairing. I enjoy every part of the process - thinking about the best menu setup, going to specific stores to buy ingredients, and deciding how to set up the table. I especially enjoy cooking Mediterranean food but with a modern twist. The last lunch I organised at home consisted of Mediterranean dips and cheeses, Spanish-style rice with porcini mushrooms and steak, and mascarpone chocolate mousse with pistachios, paired with dry rosé wine.
You can read more Q&A blogs from our 'Spotlighting the Women of IAB Europe' series here.
