Audrey French

I attribute my success to curiosity, confidence in my expertise, and a commitment to continuous learning. Throughout my career, I have worked across publishing, technology, entertainment, and the architecture, engineering, and construction industries, and each transition has challenged me to become a student again. I have learned to ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully, understand the business and its audiences, and then apply my communications expertise to develop strategies that create meaningful impact. I have also learned the importance of trusting myself and recognizing the value of my own expertise, particularly in environments where women may be underrepresented. I do not need to know everything about another person’s discipline to know what I bring to the table. My responsibility is to communicate clearly, provide thoughtful recommendations, and confidently advocate for strategies that serve the organization’s goals. Finally, I believe preparation and staying informed are essential to success. By keeping up with the evolving media landscape, understanding how audiences and news cycles are changing, and supporting my recommendations with knowledge and evidence, I am able to lead with confidence, adapt to change, and continue growing professionally.

The best career advice I have ever received is to trust my instincts and have confidence in my expertise. There will be moments when I question whether I should speak up, challenge an idea, or offer a different perspective, but when I have done my homework and understand the subject, I have earned the right to contribute to the conversation. I have also learned the importance of being concise and supporting my perspective with evidence. I do not need to be the loudest person in the room; sometimes the most impactful contribution is a clear observation, a relevant example, or a current event that demonstrates why my recommendation makes sense. Most importantly, I believe in never stopping learning. The media industry has changed dramatically throughout my career, and staying curious, informed, and adaptable has allowed me to remain confident, relevant, and prepared for whatever comes next.

I would advise young women entering my industry to trust their instincts, know the value of their expertise, and never be afraid to speak up. Come prepared, communicate your ideas clearly, and support your perspective with facts, relevant examples, and thoughtful insight. Stay curious about your industry and the world around you, because knowledge builds confidence and helps you remain adaptable. Most importantly, seek out mentors and be willing to mentor others. When women share their knowledge, support one another, and create opportunities instead of competing with each other, we all have the opportunity to rise.

The media landscape has changed dramatically, with traditional publications disappearing and audiences increasingly consuming news and content digitally, creating both challenges and opportunities for communications professionals. Today, successful PR requires greater adaptability, stronger storytelling, a deep understanding of multiple channels, and the ability to connect communications directly to business outcomes. Audrey sees particular opportunity in creating more inclusive leadership pipelines, strengthening mentorship for women in traditionally male-dominated industries, and helping organizations communicate authentically in an increasingly complex media environment.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, curiosity, confidence, generosity, and balance. I believe in doing excellent work, being prepared enough to stand behind my voice, and treating colleagues and clients with respect while remaining authentic to who I am. I also believe that true success is measured not only by professional accomplishments, but by the impact we have on others. Mentoring and helping others discover opportunities they may not have considered is especially meaningful to me. As a mother and professional, I have also learned the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self care, because taking care of myself allows me to show up fully for the people and work that matter most. Ultimately, I strive to lead with confidence without ego, remain open to learning, and use my experience and voice to create opportunities for others.