AD Agencies
Dentsu Aegis Network and iProspect bring Female Foundry to India
Mumbai: As part of One@DentsuAegis, a programme developed to support diversity and innovation across the business, Dentsu Aegis Network, and its digital performance agency iProspect, have formalized an initiative to mentor female start-ups in India.
The initiative – Female Foundry – will launch in the country after its successful run in Singapore.
Female Foundry aims to drive diversity and inclusion in business. It provides access to tools, training, connections and resources, empowering female entrepreneurs to thrive in today’s complex digital economy.
The initiative aims at bridging the gap in gender parity by offering experienced mentorship that helps empower female entrepreneurs, high-level skill development and professional help in securing funding for the next phase of their start-ups.
In India, Rubeena Singh, CEO, iProspect India will be running the initiative with an extended leadership team from across Dentsu Aegis Network and strategic business partners which include clients and other third parties.
Talking about the initiative, Rubeena Singh, CEO, iProspect India said, “As you know, iProspect has women leaders across its offices in the world. Internally, we run various programmes to help women reach the leadership programmes. Take Women@iprospect, for instance, which caters to junior and mid-level women who have a capability to be a leader tomorrow. Female Foundry is more than just an initiative for us. We are leading the programme in India, along with the help of DAN leadership and resources as well as our partners who have volunteered, to help build a more cohesive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs.”
Ashish Bhasin, CEO Greater South, Dentsu Aegis Network and Chairman & CEO India said, “DAN as a network has been at the forefront of encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs. Women play an important role in every aspect of business today – from leading companies to building new ventures. We are proud to bring Female Foundry to India as we believe that getting the right mentorship is necessary for anyone to grow especially in today’s competitive world. To succeed in what ones believes in needs constant learning. And I believe that the day one does that, it is the day we stop growing – personally or professionally.”
In partnership with some of the leading institutions, foundations and associations focused on the empowerment and promotion of female leadership in both start-ups and across the industry, the programme will culminate with an opportunity for successful selected candidates to grow their business.
AD Agencies
Tawana Burnett to lead social and influencer jury at Abby Awards 2026
Meta’s Apac leader takes the reins for Abby Awards, adding flair to social content
MUMBAI: Tawana Burnett, Meta’s Head of Top Accounts and Agencies for Apac, has been named jury chair for the new social content and influencer ,arketing category at the Abby Awards 2026, powered by The One Club | The One Show.
With a 25-year career spanning the US, EMEA, Latam, and Apac, Tawana has worked on campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands and leading advertising agencies. At Meta, she guides CMOs, business leaders, and agencies on harnessing digital and emerging advertising solutions to accelerate brand growth.
Before joining Meta, Tawana led award-winning product teams at Intuit, LeapFrog, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer, helping launch iconic products including QuickBooks, Listerine, Advil, and ChapStick.
A champion of diversity, she was featured in Adweek’s Women Trailblazers in 2019 for mentoring more than 15 women-led startups and for her work on the #biascorrect campaign that promotes women in leadership. She was also recognised in Ad Age’s Global Leading Women Class of 2023, The List in 2024, and served as juror for Spikes Asia and Mad Stars 2024.
Tawana has held leadership roles in the Singapore Inclusion Council at Meta, the IAB SouthEast Asia & India Board, and currently serves on the boards of IAA SEA and the Ronald McDonald House in New York City. Originally from New York, she now lives in Singapore with her husband and daughter.
The Abby Awards 2026, presented by The One Club | The One Show, will be held during Goafest 2026 from 20 to 22 May in Goa, celebrating creativity across the region.
