In honor of Black History Month, we celebrate Black professionals shaping the future of digital media, advertising, and ad tech. From driving innovation to championing diversity, these leaders are making an impact far beyond the industry.
Black History Month honors the achievements and influence of Black professionals across industries. In digital media and advertising, Black leaders have consistently driven innovation, advanced inclusivity, and challenged the status quo. They have paved the way for change, ensuring that the future of advertising is more representative, impactful, and effective.
The AdMonsters BHM Leaders to Watch for 2025 represent diverse talents, from policy advocates to programmatic pioneers and business intelligence experts. Each of these professionals is excelling in their craft and making space for future generations to thrive. Their work—whether in ad tech, media strategy, or leadership—underscores the power of representation and the importance of continued progress in our industry.
2025 Leaders to Watch
Eric J. Dickens
Head of Ad Tech | Wiley
Eric J. Dickens has worked in digital advertising for over 15 years with companies like Turner, Disney, and NBC. Now leading ad tech at Wiley, he has played a key role in launching new sites, integrating programmatic strategies, and managing ad ops teams.
What’s the most valuable lesson in your ad tech journey? “Always be open to learning new technologies. The ad tech landscape is constantly evolving—success requires staying ahead of regulatory, consumer, and technological shifts.”
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path in ad tech? “Witnessing the evolution of programmatic from PMP and PG deals to RTB (Real-Time Bidding) cemented my expertise. Learning to optimize and manage campaigns in real-time was a defining moment.”
Elias Adepoju
Director, Programmatic Sales Lead | BBC Studios
Elias Adepoju leads BBC’s programmatic business across the U.S., optimizing ad performance and leveraging data-driven solutions. With over a decade of experience at companies like Condé Nast and U.S. News & World Report, he is a seasoned expert in programmatic advertising.
What’s the most valuable lesson in your ad tech journey? “Own your brilliance and be confident in what you know—but never stop being a student. Knowing affirms your position, but continuously learning solidifies the foundation to keep ascending.”
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path in ad tech? “A pivotal moment in my career was realizing that you’ll always be a student in this industry. No one knows it all. This business is constantly evolving, and if you’re not diligent and disciplined in staying informed about what’s new and what’s next, your progress will be limited.”
Ashley Banks
EVP, Commercial | Group Black
About Ashley Banks:
Ashley Banks is the EVP of Commercial at Group Black. She has a career dedicated to building successful sales teams and increasing opportunities for Black women in revenue roles. She has held leadership positions at Condé Nast, CBS Interactive, and Say Media.
What’s the most valuable lesson in your ad tech journey? “Innovation and inclusion must go hand in hand. Investing in the New Majority isn’t a checkbox—it’s an opportunity to redefine the industry’s future.”
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path in ad tech? “Launching She’s Good [For Real] was a defining moment. I saw a gap in how brands engaged with Black parents, and this initiative allowed me to bridge that gap by leveraging media and strategic partnerships for real impact.”
Lartease Tiffith
Executive Vice President, Public Policy | IAB
Lartease Tiffith is the Executive Vice President for Public Policy at the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB). He leads advocacy on consumer privacy, data security, global trade, and more for over 700 member companies. He also oversees IAB’s Public Policy Council, the industry’s most prominent legislative and regulatory advisory group, and supports IAB Tech Lab’s efforts to align technical development with best practices.
Before joining IAB, Lartease worked at Amazon, guiding public policy on advertising, privacy, security, data governance, cross-border data flows, and consumer protection. He has also served as Senior Counsel to then–U.S. Senator Kamala Harris and Counsel to Senator Dianne Feinstein.
What’s the most valuable lesson in your ad tech journey? “Trust must be at the core of everything we do. Whether building products or crafting policy, success in ad tech hinges on transparency and respect for consumer expectations. Open dialogue with regulators, prioritizing data privacy, and industry collaboration create a healthier ecosystem.”
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path in ad tech? “Transitioning from the Senate to advising on global policy at Amazon forced me to understand the technical underpinnings of digital advertising. That experience sharpened my policy skills and reinforced the importance of proactively engaging with policymakers.”
Wendi Dunlap
EVP, Business Intelligence & Audience Science | Mediahub Worldwide
Wendi Dunlap is a pioneering leader in advertising with over 25 years of experience integrating data and technology into media strategy and analytics. She champions equity in advertising and is a thought leader in Conscious Marketing, Unified Analytics, and Data and equity.
What’s the most valuable lesson in your ad tech journey? “Creativity is the key to transformation. Where others see obstacles, we see opportunities. What was once unimaginable is now the foundation of modern marketing. When others see the impossible, envision a pathway forward.”
Imalia Gansop
Sr. Manager, Media Strategy | Kargo
About Imalia Gansop:
Imalia is a Senior Media Strategist at Kargo, specializing in global media strategy and cross-market planning. She is a champion of diverse-owned media and a founding member of Kargo’s Black Leaders at Kargo (BL@K) ERG.
Q&A:
What’s the most valuable lesson in your ad tech journey? “Inspiration is everything. My best experiences and success have come from working with great products and even better people.”
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path in ad tech? “I fell into ad tech unexpectedly. After college, I wanted a role that blended tech and creativity. An opportunity to help scale an innovative product at my former company led me to ad tech.”
Kanene Holder
Brand Evangelist | The 614 Group
Kanene Ayo Holder is the Brand Evangelist for the Brand Safety Summit and an advocate for brand safety, AI ethics, and media literacy. She has won three National Endowment for the Humanities awards and previously served as Director of Arts and Technology for an NYC high school. She is also on the Alliance for Women in Media and the United Nations HIVE board.
What’s the most valuable lesson in your ad tech journey? “Ad tech, specifically brand safety, is an art and a science. It’s as much about deriving insights from data as it is about understanding audience culture. Master the basics, then know when to take risks and when to be orthodox.”
Shaping the Future of Digital Advertising
The impact of these industry leaders reaches far beyond their individual roles—they are shaping the future of digital media and advertising. Their leadership, innovation, and advocacy continue to drive the industry forward. As we celebrate their achievements, we recognize the importance of continued progress and the collective responsibility to foster change in the advertising ecosystem.