When Judith Carr-Rodriguez got the chance to start Fig with Founder and Creative Chair Mark Figliulo, she was not new to having a leadership role, but knew she needed and wanted to be an empathetic kind of leader. 

That approach has led to monumental growth for the agency, not only in business wins, but in its diversity numbers, with more than 74% of agency staff either female, BIPOC or members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“We need diverse, diverse thoughts. We need diverse voices, we need diverse representation in order to create modern work,” Carr-Rodriguez said. “That’s where Fig exists today. We’re storytellers for the information age. The information age means a totally modern environment, so if we’re not diverse then we’re not living up to what we should be doing.”

That belief in collaboration and celebration of others has guided Fig into success with commitment and innovation; it made Ad Age's A-List this year after a stellar new business record and outstanding work for the likes of Zillow.

“The success of Fig is not just a couple of us, it’s all of us working as a real community,” Carr-Rodriguez said.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Celebrate more. I have a habit—sometimes good and sometimes not—to always keep striving. I would love someone to have said to slow down, take a moment to smell the roses. 

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

Moving to the U.S. to lead LBi. I knew one other person at the time and it was a huge risk to leave my comfortable position in the U.K. and take the leap to an unknown role in an unknown country. But I look back at that time and know that it was the making of my career and also most importantly, I met my husband (and we now have two amazing kids), which has made my life.

If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing and why?

I love everything to do with design. I'm guessing I would have tried to be an architect or designer. But I love advertising and our industry, so I am happy I chose this path and it's been great to me.

What should the industry do to encourage more women and people of color into its ranks?

Agencies today have many more specialist roles, which could widen the aperture and appeal away from the stereotypes of advertising which are a turnoff to many people. I believe that we could do a better job to ensure that students at all types of schools are exposed to these opportunities and get proper help and mentorship to apply.

What is the biggest lesson you have taken away from the pandemic?

People are resilient and they keep rising.