Taking Up Space
A new year typically signals new resolutions, new opportunities and new challenges.
I greeted 2025 in my hometown of New Orleans with family and friends hours before tragedy struck my beloved city. The city of New Orleans is no stranger to loss, but its collective strength lies within the city’s culture and its residents.
For NYWICI, we have tremendous strength that lies within our membership.
In 2024, we saw women rule breaking, trailblazing and inspiring and empowering others. Our organization continues to foster a community of women with unwavering support and a shared purpose across the communications industry.
Stepping into my presidency, I recognize progress in not parity.
In 2025, I will continue the organization’s legacy to empower, enhance, engage and excite members. Building upon our immediate past president Laura Brusca’s R’s for 2024, my 2025 goals include three Rs: reputation, reach and relationships.
The ever-evolving communications landscape is rapidly changing, and we must keep up with this acceleration.
But how do we cope with overwhelming uncertainty and changing conditions in the new year in our quest for equality? By taking up space.
Taking up space is not a new concept and means giving yourself permission to express your thoughts, feelings, boundaries, and anything else that feels authentic and organic to you. Taking up space is about deeply trusting yourself.
According to cultural norms, women should maintain an appropriate amount of space, but only if we do so in a manner that portrays a strength and certainty. This idea of how women “should act” in certain spaces became a viral TikTok trend around the phrase “very mindful, very demure” providing a satirical perspective on how women should exude a subtle elegance at work, on a plane or in their personal appearance. Women should live authentically; however they choose.
Life is messy and hard, often presenting unexpected challenges, therefore taking up space often requires making bold choices focused on our well-being and self-care. By practicing the art of taking up space, we can equip ourselves with the tools needed to thrive in any situation or environment.
Women don’t need permission to take up space, we need to own the spaces we invade. If you want to take up space in 2025 remember:
- Your Voice Matters
- Protect Your Peace
- Learn a New Skill
- Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
- Advocate for The Promotion
- Be Bold and Brave
- Self-Awareness is Critical
- Restore Your Energy. Repeat.
Together, we are a powerful force to drive innovation, impact change and reshape and influence the future. NYWICI is illuminating a path forward for the next generation while celebrating those who are leading the way.
How will you take up space in 2025? Share your insights and tag New York Women in Communications on LinkedIn.
And make sure to register to attend the Women of AI Summit – Cracking the Code: How Women Leaders Are Solving the AI Equation on Tuesday, January 21 in midtown Manhattan and our speed networking event at Omnicom on Wednesday, February 12. Cheers to the year ahead and I hope to see you at one of our 2025 events!
With sincere gratitude,
Brandi Boatner
2025 NYWICI President and Global Influencer Marketing, IBM Corporate Affairs
Single. New Orleanian. Childless. Communicator. Champagne Lover.