I started The Helm in mid-2025 as a peer community and coaching platform for women leading digital agencies - founders, first-time CEOs and MDs. It’s what I wish had existed when I first became a CEO.

My goal was simple: I wanted women in these roles to get to know others in similar positions, sharing experiences, challenges and insights. It's a cliche but true that the top job can feel isolating and intimidating, particularly when you are in it for the first time. I've been there myself and know the struggles first-hand. There are great male mentors, board members, investors and bosses out there, but there are still so few women founding and leading agencies. That means many women in these roles have fewer peers, role models, and sounding boards than their male counterparts. A female-only group felt necessary.

Since then, The Helm has grown, with members joining from the US, UK and Europe. I have had remarkable guest speakers, from independent agency founders to leaders of global holding company agencies, and many have become regular participants, keen to share and learn.

I am extremely proud that one member was so inspired by the founder stories she heard that she left a full-time position to start her own business. To me, that is the whole purpose of The Helm.

Women need to see other women doing the job. They need to hear that no one has it all figured out - certainly not at the start, and often not even when established, and that constant learning, experimenting and trying is what it takes.

The Helm will continue to evolve as our members do. If you're leading an agency and looking for a trusted group of peers who understand the realities of the role, we'd love to welcome you.

“I worked for Vanessa before I worked with her as a mentor and coach, and the through-line has been the same: she is exceptionally thoughtful, deeply generous with her time, and consistently one of the most useful voices I have as I navigate an executive role.

She asks sharp questions, gives honest feedback, and has a knack for helping you see the situation more clearly without telling you what to do. She's been a steady, positive presence through real inflection points, and that consistency is what makes her advice land.” - Stephanie Wiseman, CEO and Cofounder, 10kR

”I worked for Vanessa for over a decade, and she consistently led with clarity, empathy, and a strong strategic compass. Vanessa brought an open mind to every challenge and created space for thoughtful dialogue, both within our team and with clients.

But what stood out most was her ability to mentor. Vanessa understands diverse perspectives and helps people grow without losing sight of business goals.

For first-time CEOs and MDs navigating the complexities of leadership, The Helm reflects the kind of support and insight Vanessa has always offered: practical, grounded, and deeply human.” -Jesse Sage, Head of Client Strategy, The Maze Group