Women of Construct: Elleen, Denise, Raveena, and Jeslynn

Welcome back to the Women of Construct series! As we continue to celebrate International Women's Month, we're excited to showcase more incredible women who continue to drive our agency forward with their passion and dedication.

In this second instalment, we'll be featuring the rockstars of the Client Partnerships and People and Operations teams who play vital roles in ensuring our clients are satisfied and our people are happy.

Read their stories and be inspired by their unique journeys and perspectives. 

How is it to work for an agency?

As someone who craves constant stimulation and adventure, the fast-paced and dynamic nature of agency life never fails to deliver. Every project and every ask is an exciting, invigorating experience. I relish the chance to collaborate with a diverse range of clients and individuals and to learn and grow in the process. Being part of an agency means constantly pushing boundaries, exploring cutting-edge trends, and keeping things fresh. It’s an incredible rush that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world—I'd choose agency life in a heartbeat!

How is it to be part of Construct Digital’s transformation journey?

I’m excited to be a part of Construct's transformation journey and see how we progress towards our ambitious goals and vision for this year. I had my reservations about moving to a smaller agency initially, but after meeting with the leaders at Construct, I was inspired by their forward-thinking mindset and their dedication to taking the agency to new heights. I'm definitely honoured to be a part of this amazing team, and I look forward to popping champagne in celebration of all the successes in the months and years to come.

How important is it to have female representation while we undergo our transformation journey?

I truly believe that having female representation in an organisation that is growing and evolving is absolutely essential. We bring a unique perspective and set of skills to the table that can be extremely valuable for decision-making, problem-solving, and team dynamics.

In my experience, when women are included in leadership positions and have a voice in the organisation, we are able to empathise with and consider the needs and perspectives of all employees. I believe that the level of empathy that women have is generally higher than men’s, and this can be a key value to embody in the organisation. Empathy helps us strike a balance between work and emotions, which in turn contributes to a positive culture and ultimately enhances reputation and brand image.

As a woman, I also believe that having female representation can inspire other women to pursue careers in that field or industry. Seeing women in leadership positions can be incredibly empowering and motivating, and it can lead to greater gender diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.

What’s the role of client partnership in this transformation?

As part of the transformation process, the client partnership team is crucial, as we play the connecting role between both internal and external stakeholders. By fostering strong client relationships, we bring in business opportunities and the necessary revenue for growth and transformation. We also work closely with the internal team to ensure excellent service delivery, which in turn sets us up for greater success. I’d like to think of us as a bridge between two neighbouring countries, creating mutual benefits for all parties involved.

Describe who you are outside of the agency.

I’m pretty consistent in my personality at work and outside of work. I have an outgoing personality, and I love having things or plans in order. These are the traits that are evident to my friends and family when it comes to my involvement in any activity. I do believe that you should be able to bring your whole self to work and be appreciated for the value you bring.

How do you balance your personal life while being a key member of your team?

I’d like to think that I’m pretty good at multi-tasking, and I have reached a point where I have learned to strike a good balance between work and personal. It all boils down to time management, setting priorities, and sticking to them.

What are you most looking forward to in your career and personal life?

Initially, I was motivated by the desire for promotions and money in my career. However, I soon realised that this was not the best way to measure my growth. Now, I look forward to meeting good mentors and driven individuals in my career who will inspire me and help me grow as a professional and a person. On a personal level, I set goals every year to keep myself engaged, and I always look forward to the time I fulfil them.

How is it to work for an agency?

It is generally tough working in an agency, especially for a single working mom. The demands of work—mentally, physically, and sometimes even emotionally—can be draining to a certain degree, and ultimately finding the balance is key to ensuring both my work and family lives are ‘healthy’.

Construct’s vision transcends our desire to bring valuable change to our clients’ businesses. It is also an inspiration to become better versions of ourselves each day at work and to make what we do matter.

How important is it to have female representation while we undergo our transformation journey?

Having female representation in our transformation journey opens room for a more balanced perception and a wider set of insights at work, which can ultimately influence how we think and deliver our creativity.

I believe that Client Partners are transformation enablers, being at the forefront of all campaigns and communications between clients and Construct.

Describe who you are outside of the agency. How do you balance your personal life while being a key member of your team?

I am both a mom and a daughter at home. I have a strictly no-work-on-Saturday policy. It is my exclusive quality time with my son. On Sundays, while I do a bit of work sometimes, family and church definitely come first. This is how I re-energise during the weekend and prepare myself for the coming work week.

What are you most looking forward to in your career and personal life?

Career: Continue working in an organisation that provides stability, culture, and the opportunity to be around people who continue to inspire and create impact.

Personal: I want to see my son grow up to be a man with courage, kindness, and a strong sense of self.

How is it to work for an agency?

Working for an agency is both challenging and rewarding. The pace of work can be fast-paced and demanding, but it can also be exciting and dynamic. I get to work with a variety of clients, which can be a great way to gain experience and exposure to different industries and projects. I have the opportunity to work with a team of professionals who are passionate about their work. Collaborating with others also helps me learn new skills and build a diverse portfolio of work.

How is it to be part of Construct Digital’s transformation journey?

Being part of Construct Digital's transformation journey has been quite a highlight for me. I am learning so much, and the challenges are rewarding personally and professionally. I am excited to be part of this.

Having diverse perspectives can lead to more creative and innovative solutions. When women are part of the decision-making process, they can bring unique perspectives and offer insights.

Also, having women in leadership positions can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for other women in the industry. When women see other women in positions of power and influence, it can help break down gender stereotypes and promote gender equality.

Having a diverse team can also be beneficial when it comes to serving clients. Many clients come from diverse backgrounds, and having a team that can relate to and understand their perspectives can help to build trust and rapport.

We are the first and last people our clients see. Our role is to be there for our clients, for our team, and for ourselves. We help to elevate our transformation day by day.

Outside of Construct, I am very much a family person. Spending time with my family and doing activities together is what brings me the most joy. I also invest a lot in my mental health journey. I spend time listening to what I need, and it comes in many forms. From journaling, exercising, and practising self-care.

By prioritising my mental health, this helps me remain positive and focused, which helps me be the best version of myself at work and for my team.

In my professional life, I am working towards being a peer in my industry. Being someone who my teammates and higher-ups can rely on I want to be able to take on more diverse projects and have a leading role.

Personally, I plan to continue on in my mental health journey and be a source of inspiration and guidance to others who may need it.

It's my first time working in an agency, and while I have heard many stories of the life of working in one, I'm grateful for Construct's emphasis on work-life balance. The daily work in an agency is different each day, and I relish the challenges that come by!

Growth and change are ever-changing constants in the digital landscape; anticipating and embracing them will put Construct Digital ahead. In my role, I aim to provide and improve employee experiences within Construct; this can range from anticipating any gaps in employee experience that I can look into, to embracing the differing tastebuds when topping up the pantry to make it better!

In this transformation journey, looking through a diversity of lenses allows us to look, think, plan, and execute transformational experiences that are both inclusive and progressive. Female representation is one of many lenses of perspective that we can look through.

People and Operations plays quite an important role in this transformation. Investment in our team members, both professionally and personally, leads to engaged and motivated team members who work hard to meet the organisation's objectives and personal career goals. We come in by going on the ground to understand each person, identify the skills and expertise required to achieve the organisation's goals, and understand and provide support from HR and/or organisation that can help the person grow.

Outside of Construct, I play many roles: a daughter, a Christian serving regularly in church, and a regular Red Cross volunteer (for more than 10 years!) To balance out the many responsibilities, I make sure I time block, meaning that when it's time to work, I focus on work only, and schedule time for the other responsibilities after work. In this way, I can fully focus on what matters most in the right headspace, bringing about quality in the work I produce.

What are you most looking forward to in your career and personal life?

I look forward to growing in my career here at Construct with my own strengths and skillsets and positively impact each Construct team member. I aim to grow professionally in the way I carry myself, while enjoying to the fullest what life has to offer and challenging myself.

We want to give a big shout-out to Elleen, Denise, Raveena, and Jeslynn for their invaluable contributions to the Construct team and for inspiring us by leading their enriched, full lives.

But celebration of the Women of Construct doesn't stop here. Stay tuned for the next instalment, where we'll be featuring the voices of the talented women of our Creative team!