FAQs

Who are the programs designed for?

The Creative Ladder serves high school students, college students, and early career professionals within the first ten (10) years of their careers from underrepresented backgrounds. Underrepresented backgrounds include but are not limited to: U.S. ethnic minorities (Black, Asian and Pacific Islander descent, Hispanic, Latin American, Arab American, Indigenous American, etc.); LGBTQIA+ community members; immigrants and children of immigrants; people with neurodivergence, and apparent and non-apparent disabilities; and those that have dealt with homelessness, addiction or incarceration. All programs focus on career outreach (students) or career advancement (Rising Leaders) within Advertising & Marketing industries.

Programs for Rising Leaders–including Conference Cohorts, Leadership Bootcamps, Summits, and Rising Leaders Academy (RLA)–present a wide range of topics for a variety of experience levels from your first year on the job to a decade in. The most successful participants in RLA typically have five to nine (5-9) years of experience.

How much does it cost to participate in a program?

Thanks to our generous supporters, sponsors, and partners, all Creative Ladder programs are free to participants within the above communities. Special VIP or guest tickets do occasionally have an associated fee.

I saw Ryan Reynolds is a co-founder, will I meet him at a Creative Ladder event?

Ryan Reynolds co-founded The Creative Ladder with Dionna Dorsey and David Griner in 2020. Ryan and the Maximum Effort team are passionate about helping underrepresented communities gain access and opportunities within creative industries. (He also founded our sister organization, Group Effort Initiative, check them out!) That said, he is usually pretty busy as a part-time actor and business owner. So while he is always with us, he is rarely physically present at our events.

How do you choose where events take place?

Our Program Team plans our calendar to make sure that we’re visiting each region (Northeast; South; Midwest; West) of the country within a 12-month period. We also have creative hubs in each region (NYC, Atlanta, DC, Chicago, and LA) that typically anchor our programs in each of those regions. If you think your region/city/community has an active creative community that needs a Creative Ladder event, drop us a line.

How can I go to Cannes Lions with The Creative Ladder?

The Creative Ladder attends the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity each year and we often bring a small cohort of Rising Leaders with us to experience their first Cannes Lions. These Rising Leaders are invited to apply to be a part of our cohort. Invitations are issued exclusively to Rising Leaders Academy (RLA) alumni who have successfully completed RLA. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.

When/How can I apply for Leadership Bootcamp/Summit, etc.?

Our in-person program schedule varies on our website or on our social media platforms. Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn to stay updated OR sign up for regular email updates from The Creative Ladder to have announcements sent straight to your inbox.

Can I apply to attend a program if I’m not local?

Yes! If you’re from Seattle but you want to join us for an event in Atlanta, you can apply. However, The Creative Ladder does not offer scholarships or stipends to cover travel and/or lodging. Accepted participants are responsible for these costs. We encourage you to ask your employer if they will cover associated costs since our in-person events are great for professional development. Need a letter from us to support your case? Email us!

How can I get my company involved?

There are a variety of ways to get involved, including year-round support, event sponsorships, and program support.

We love working with partners and supporters who walk it like they talk it. If your company is interested in providing opportunities to the next generation of diverse creative leaders, platforming their own diverse rising leaders & thought leaders, and being a part of The Creative Ladder community, connect with our Partnerships Team here.

How do you select which applicants participate?

Application-based programs include the Rising Leaders Academy, our Leadership Bootcamps, and some conference cohorts. Each program has its own criteria for what makes an ideal attendee/participant. Overall, because programs are tailored for our community members specifically, The Creative Ladder’s staff looks to make sure that applicants are within the first ten (10) years of their careers, and are a part of at least one of the underrepresented backgrounds listed above. Because we cannot currently offer travel stipends we often prioritize applications with shorter travel distances for in-person programs. Finally, we actually read your applications! We look for applicants who are eager to learn and grow; are seeking to be connected to potential mentors and employers as well as their peers; and are ready to take on the challenges of leadership.