The StarTUp at the Armory recently kicked off its 2025–2026 ATHENAPowerLink® Baltimore Women in Business Speaker Series, sponsored by PNC, by hosting three outstanding leaders in marketing and communications — Alana Thompson, Access Holdings; Gina Ramsey, Pink Dog Digital; and Emily Ward, Turnitin. Marina Cooper, Johns Hopkins University, led the discussion, which featured candid conversations on their paths to success, what it’s like to lead in male-prominent spaces, and how artificial intelligence is impacting digital marketing and communications.
Each have seen great success and have broken down barriers within the marketing industry.
Learning how to be able to exist in an authentic way within a culture is really interesting. There are perceptions and stereotypes and biases. But I always try to ground myself in the results that I can deliver and the performance that I’m able to impact the bottom line. That is undeniable. So, I lead all my conversations with data. It’s really hard to dispute the data.
Emily Ward, Tunitin
I think having a strong voice and standing up for yourself is super important. Building a village around you and staying close to the women in your organization is super important.
Alana Tompkins, Access Holdings
Women have a really hard time seeing their value and talking about their value. There’s a lot of imposter syndrome there. Women just have to give themselves the credit that they are fully capable of doing anything, anytime, anywhere.
Gina Ramsey, Pink Dog Digital
Are you a women-owned business looking for mentorship? ATHENAPowerLink® Baltimore is a yearlong program, headquartered at Towson University, that provides women business owners with an advisory panel that dedicates time and effort to ensure a plan of action for long-term business success. Applications for the program are accepted on an ongoing basis.
