International Women’s Day 2021, meet 100 rising stars inspiring change

We still have a way to go when it comes to improving gender diversity and equality in the creative, tech and digital industries – which is why it is so important for us, as a platform, to use our force for good.

We’re thrilled to be releasing our annual list celebrating and shining a spotlight on 100+ rising stars from underrepresented gender identities – as nominated by The Dots community – who are transforming the industry of today and inspiring the generation of tomorrow.

The list beams with brilliant, talented people and their dedication to positive change. Book them for speaking gigs, interview them, hire them, commission them and support them in any way you can.

International Women’s Day isn’t just a day for us at The Dots – we shine a light all year round on brilliant folk, including alumni from our previous rising stars lists here.

Because together, we can create a better and more diverse workplace for us all to enjoy.

Aba Graham – founder & CEO, Aspiring Boldly Abi Stephenson – art director Adobera Ejikeme – founder, IdentityCreates Akua Agyemfra – founder & creative director, Bea London Alexandra (Lex) Hearth – marketer, DJ & editor, Cleopatras Worldwide Alexia Mathie – design strategist Ali Hanan – founder, Creative Equals Alia 'NX Panther' Panthan – artist, rapper, songwriter & producer Alicia Cordell – social media & events coordinator Amanda Glasgow – creative director

Amy Kean – brand & innovation director Arooj Aftab – social activist, brand consultant & founder, #DoneWithDiversity Ash Pickford – strategist & brand consultant Ayomide Akin – business strategist Bami Kuteyi – founder & CEO, Bam Bam Boogie Bilyana Freye – co-founder, Orbiit Camilla Mathis – project manager Carys Huws – freelance photographer, filmmaker & director Celestia Anstruther – artist & sculptor Celine Mather – director & producer

Charlene Prempeh – founder, A Vibe Called Tech Cicely Ryder-Belson – project & events producer Claire Koryczan – co-founder, We Are Powerful Creators & founder, Imagine Beyond Claire Selby – project & partnerships manager Claire Strickett – brand strategist Clem Rousset – graphic designer Clover Godsal – artist Dani Molyneux – design director & founder, Dotto Studio Danika Magdelena – freelance film photographer Denise 'Chip' Chippindale – european marketing manager, General Assembly & mental health advocate

Diamond A – strategist Dr. Muna Abdi – education consultant & researcher Ejatu Shaw – photographer & multidisciplinary artist Elainea Emmott – chef, food writer & photographer Elizabeth Akanbi-Ogabi – communications director & founder, For Working Ladies Ellie Parker – account manager Emily Gosling – journalist Emily-Jayne Nolan – freelance photographer & retoucher Emma Nabridnyj – PR & editorial director Erin Aniker – illustrator

Eve Lee – founder, The Digital Fairy Fiona Freund – photographer, art director & creator of #MotherWorks Flavia Richardson – vice president of early stage practice Folayemi Ojo – project manager & founder, Yemides Kitchen Gemma Higgins – freelance writer, creator & speaker Gemma Redgrave – partnerships manager, AKQA Georgia Lee Johnson – sound designer & music producer Gisselle Babaran – freelance journalist & content producer Greet Jans – creative director & experience designer Holly Nash – copywriter

Isha shah – freelance photographer Jennifer Hayashi – designer, art director & illustrator Jenny Zhang – strategy director Jessica Ardizzone – designer & art director Jessica Webb – pattern designer Johanna de Mornay Davies – art director Jordan Lee – freelance illustrator Julia Salotti – creative Katja Alissa Mueller – design lead & art director Kelly Bewers – designer & founder, Impact Edit

Kelly Richards – product manager, Soho House Kenny Eshinlokun – founder, Taboo Kerry Donnelly – creative Kourtney Lohn – photographer & content creator Laura Hinton – event manager & producer Laura Johnson – model booker & director, Zebedee Laurel Spiers – TV development researcher & creative Lily Walker – freelance writer Lizzy Reid – founder & director, Start Something Different Lou Bones – illustration & animation agent

Lucy Werner – author, speaker & founder, The Wern Lucy Woodall – marketing manager Lydia Bradley – graphic designer & illustrator Marion Bisserier – graphic designer Maxime Pons Webster – cultural producer May Al-Karooni – CEO & founder, Globechain Megan Gilmour – social innovator & change agent, MissingSchool & Robots4Good Melissa Wong – art director Miss Yankey – spoken word artist & writer Mx CK – artist, writer, speaker & model

Nadina Ali – graphic designer Naïma Ben Ayed – type & graphic designer Nancy O'Connor – product designer Naomi Joda – art director & founder, JODA.studio Natasha Caruana – photographer & founder, Work Show Grow Natasha Nanner – creative strategy director Navi Ahluwalia – writer & editor Nelly Ben Hayoun – designer, director & artist Nierodha Perera – freelance videographer Nikky Lyle – director, D&AD president judge

Nikola Vasakova – creative producer Obehi Alofoje – productivity coach Olivia Yallop – strategist & innovation lead Oonagh McDonnell – director & founder. itsherstory Paulina Masternak – cinematographer Perle Arteta – creative & art director Poroma Pant – copywriter Precious Osoba – creative marketing strategist Rachel Reese – founder, Global Butterflies Rani Patel – business director & consultant

Rashida Abdulai – founder & CEO, Strand Sahara Rhea Dillon – artist, poet & writer Ronx Ikharia – doctor, activist & TV presenter Roxanne Hobbs – founder, The Hobbs Consultancy Rumman Chowdhury – data & social scientist Russie Miessi – strategist, make-up artist & hairstylist Sadia Mir – mental health educator & podcaster Sakura Rimal – web designer Sarah Maple – artist Sarah Musker – creative director

Selma Nicholls – founder, Looks Like Me & co-founder, theSOwhiteproject Shana Gujral – founder, Lila Shelby Ivey Christie – fashion & costume historian Sophie Blowfield – social media, strategy & content director Sophie Taylor – copywriter Stefanie Sword-Williams – founder, F*ck Being Humble Tamara Littleton – CEO & founder, The Social Element & Polpeo Tami Aftab – photographer Tatiana Yusuf – content writer & digital marketer Temi Mwale – social entrepreneur, campainger & founding director, The 4Front Project

Tianna Greham – designer Tina Touli – graphic communication designer Vicki Chagger – freelance marketer & copywriter Vicky Grout – photographer Visha Naul – director of business marketing, Pinterest Yarza Twins – creative directors Zina Alfa – producer & presenter Zoe Davies – creative Zoe Moncaster – graphic designer & creative artworker Zoe Proctor – director & founder, Zebedee Zoe Scaman – founder, Bodacious

With thanks to our brilliant community for nominating their rising stars!

. . . . . Image credits (from top): 1. Women's and Girls' Emergency Centre: Website posted by Sakura Rimal 2. Take Up More Space (And other Dotto Mottos) posted by Dani Molyneux 3. Adidas London: She Breaks Barriers posted by The Digital Fairy 4. Dream Theory for Blanc Magazine posted by Efe I 5. She's My Co-founder Series posted by Elizabeth Akanbi-Ogabi 6. Sometimes I Feel Like I am Taken Less Seriously posted by Clem Rousset 7. F*ck Being Humble rebrand posted by Stefanie Sword-Williams 8. HUNGER Issue 18 - Age of Innocence posted by Jessica Ardizzone 9. The Body Shop posted by Erin Aniker 10. Lala Love for Ash Magazine posted by Kourtney Lohn 11. ASOS x Nike Blazers posted by Danika Magdelena 12. Nike Women x Girls in Film - A Game For All posted by Nikola Vasakova 13. Pen to paper... posted by Arooj Aftab