Leading the charge: Naga DDB Tribal’s Farrah Harith-McPherson on championing reverse mentorship

The marketing and advertising industry is a rapidly shifting realm where emerging trends, technologies, and creative ideas come together to reshape how brands communicate with its audiences. As the landscape evolves, it’s crucial for those in agencies to stay ahead of the curve — embracing change, exploring new possibilities, and challenging the status quo.

While female leaders are steadily rising to the top, there's still much work to be done to accelerate gender equality and ensure that every voice has an opportunity to be heard. This International Women's Day, A+M celebrates the voices of women who are making waves in Malaysia's creative, media and advertising landscape, breaking barriers and paving the way for the future generation of leaders. 

Hear from Farrah Harith-McPherson, chief growth officer, Naga DDB Tribal, on what she has to say: 

Don't miss: International Women’s Day: What 'accelerate action' means to MY marketing leaders  

A+M: How do you define leadership and how do you believe women bring a unique perspective to leadership roles? 

Harith-McPherson: Leadership, to me, isn’t about titles or hierarchy. It’s about the impact you create, the example you set, and how you elevate those around you. True leadership is about inspiring action, fostering collaboration, and making meaningful contributions no matter your rank or role. It’s about lifting others as you climb. 

Women bring a distinct and powerful perspective to leadership because we lead with both strength and empathy. Our ability to navigate challenges with resilience, while fostering cultures of trust and inclusivity, sets us apart. We instinctively balance strategy with heart — driving results while ensuring people feel valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. Hopefully with some fun along the way. 

A+M: What were some of the most significant challenges you've faced as a woman in the industry, and how did you overcome them? 

Harith-McPherson: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a woman in this industry is fighting stereotypes and proving myself in ways that men don’t necessarily have to. There have been moments where I’ve had to work twice as hard to prove that strength doesn’t have to be loud, that decisiveness can coexist with empathy, and that collaboration is just as powerful as command.  

In my early years, I also struggled with bringing my full, authentic self to work. I wondered if I needed to fit a certain mold to be taken seriously—whether my leadership needed to be polished and predictable rather than dynamic and real. But the truth is, leadership isn’t one-dimensional. Some days, I’m sharp and strategic; other days, I’m lighthearted and quirky. I’ve learned that embracing all those sides of myself doesn’t diminish my credibility—it strengthens it.  

I’ve overcome these challenges by staying true to my leadership style and surrounding myself with a strong tribe of mentors, allies, and like-minded women who uplift rather than compete. I’ve also made it a point to pay it forward, mentoring others so they don’t have to fight the same battles alone.  

The key has been to own my space unapologetically while creating more room at the table for others to do the same.

A+M: What is one bold step you are hoping to take, to 'accelerate action' in the industry? 

Harith-McPherson: One bold step I would like to take to accelerate action is to champion reverse mentorship, because leadership should be a two-way street. Paying it forward through mentorship is expected, but real change happens when leaders are just as willing to learn from the next generation as they are to guide them.  

Young women bring fresh perspectives on culture, technology, and the evolving workplace, and their insights should shape the future—not just be heard in the background. There is so much I don't understand about them (and tech) and I can learn so much from the younger ones in the industry. Through Naga DDB Tribal’s “She speaks power” initiative, we have created a space for women to share, uplift, and take up more leadership space.  

Empowerment isn’t just about guiding others, it’s about making room for new ideas and new leaders to emerge.

Beyond mentorship, we need to rethink how we measure success. Women juggle multiple roles, so workplace flexibility isn’t a perk, it’s a necessity. We should be judged by results, not outdated notions of clocked hours or office presence. By pushing for mentorship in all directions and real structural change, we don’t just talk about empowerment—we make it happen. 

Join us this coming 21 May for #Content360, an extravaganza centered around three core thematic pillars: Challenging the norm; Conquering Media Fragmentation; and Unlocking Imagination. Immerse yourself in learning to curate content with creativity, critical thinking, and confidence with us at Content360!   

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