In celebration of International Women’s Day, we asked our Ocean Media colleagues to recognize a woman in their life who helped guide, mentor, or inspired their career path, or played a pivotal role in where they are today. It could be a boss, a co-worker, a teacher, a parent, a community leader, etc.

Here are their responses…

Jillian Saul, VP, Local Media

I nominate Ocean Media’s Aileen Reyes and Christine Oakley. I started this job and was remote within three days. Fast forward two years later and our team was 27 people. They were pivotal in keeping me sane, as well as providing me with valuable opinions and feedback on team structure and processes. Aileen has been here 20 years and had a lot of insight into Ocean Media. She is also the calm in the storm. Christine has been here almost seven years, and her passion for processes helped rein in the chaos. They are two outstanding women, and I would not be the leader I am without their support and unfiltered feedback.

Becca Baum, Account Manager

Marcela Wilfong has inspired me and mentored me throughout my career here at Ocean Media and in my personal life. She is very knowledgeable in her field and is always willing to help. She always shows up with grace and compassion. Marcela is a wonderful person inside and out and I am very lucky to not only call her a co-worker but a friend!

Timothy Hudson, Digital Traffic Manager

Rachel Greer/Donna Wither. Before I was in digital marketing, I worked as a catering manager at Zoes Kitchen. I had been studying digital marketing as I worked there, and both pushed me to be in catering sales. I was not much of a salesman, but they helped provide me with experience for my first job at a digital marketing agency. They were great friends and mentors to me in business. Rachel was the area director catering sales manager and we always shared wonderful conversations. I even helped land them a major client of Medstar hospitals across MD and VA.

Eyasu Moloro, Digital Media Buyer Programmatic

My first-grade teacher Mrs. Davis. Will never forget how she took the time out of her day during lunch and after school to help me learn English.

Jennifer Petrella, Senior Media Negotiator

Aileen Reyes was the first person to hire me right out of college. I was very green to the industry, but she has been my biggest role model and supporter throughout my 10-year career so far. She has made a huge impact on how I present myself, guided me on countless campaigns, and helped shape the buyer I am today. Even when I left for a couple of years we still stayed in touch and were always connected, I knew I would end up back with her someday.

She is a great leader here at Ocean Media. Her knowledge is beyond anything I have ever seen before, and she has an answer to all my questions, and I ask a lot. I have looked up to her for all these years and will continue to do so and strive to be just like her one day.

Kaci Krause, Account Manager

My mother is and always has been an inspiration in my life. Growing up, she was a single mom who worked two jobs and attended school for her masters, while managing to be present in raising my siblings and me. Her work ethic has always served as a motivating factor that I too, can do anything if I am willing to work hard enough for it. My mom is my mentor and my best friend.

Whitney Bechert, Operations and Special Projects Lead

Ok, this might be silly, but my daughter has impacted me in every way since she was born. The way that I have morphed over the past couple of years and been catapulted into a role/person/ boots that I have to actively choose to fill every day is absolutely insane. To have an influence on a tiny female mind is the greatest job I’ve ever had, and I owe it all to Willa. I mean, my high school math teacher is a close silver, but that’s a story for another time.

Nicholas Scolaro, Senior Direct Response Media Specialist

My wife has been instrumental in my career and overall growth. She has been very supportive, and understanding and always guides me in the right direction by giving meaningful advice.

Porscher Black, Traffic Associate

I would like to nominate my previous supervisor, Kyra Millar. Over the three years I’ve worked with her, I’ve never met someone more encouraging and enthusiastic to see me grow in my career. From my very first day, Kyra saw something special in me. I felt like an important asset and my contributions were valued every day. No question was ever too small, silly, repetitive, or big. She was always happy to help. Using her own money and time, she always threw special parties for us during the holidays and gave us really thoughtful gifts. She cared about us on a personal level, not just professionally. Any mistake I may have made, both big and small, she was never concerned because she trusted I would make things right.

On the other side of the coin, any time I took initiative or did well in my role she always went out of her way to tell me how much she appreciated my hard work. She even went as far as encouraging me to seek better employment because she felt I deserved more. I really admire her passion, care, and hard work. I couldn’t be more thankful to have had her as a supervisor, but even more so to have her as a friend now. Kyra still encourages me to this day and always has time to lend a listening ear. I am honored to have crossed paths with her, and I hope her new team appreciates her as much as I do. Thank you, Kyra Millar, for everything!

David Luebbert, Account Director

My Mother carried quite an ambition and love of life and it reflected in how she treated people. Working in similar fields as myself and going on to starting her own side niche business. Against all odds she became successful throughout her career. This success was based on determination, care of relationships and being mutually respectful.

I owe a lot to my Mom and everything she taught me!

To learn more about the themes, missions, and partners of International Women’s Day, as well as what you can do to get involved, check out internationalwomensday.com.