#WomensMonth | Open Chair's lioness Abi Dracopoulos - Speak up, even if your voice shakes
Open Chair lioness Abi Dracopoulos is the creative group head of social at Accenture Song and says she has been lucky enough to be surrounded by incredible women throughout her career.
15 Aug 2025
Open Chair lioness Abi Dracopoulos is the creative group head of social at Accenture Song (Image supplied)
“These women took a chance on me, lifted me up, and helped me grow.”
She adds that they are the reason she is who she is today and the driving force behind everything she does.
“Women’s Month is a reminder to celebrate that, pay it forward, and keep creating space for each other to rise,” she adds.
What inspired you to pursue a career in your field?
Like many of us, I fell into this industry by accident. But what drew me in was the power of building communities online.
Working across countless brands, I’ve seen how social can do more than sell - it can connect, shift narratives, and spark real impact.
That blend of storytelling, culture, and strategy is what drives me.
As a woman, what are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career, and how did you/are you overcoming them?
One of the biggest challenges has been making space for bold female voices in rooms where they are often overlooked.
I’ve seen how emotional labour and uncredited leadership tend to fall on women, and I’m continuously overcoming that by connecting with and speaking openly through communities like Open Chair, while learning to lead with both strength and softness.
As I grow in my career, I’m focused on creating safer, more honest spaces for the next wave of talent to thrive.
As a member of the recent Open Chair delegation to Cannes, what was a highlight of this trip for you?
Of course, the panels and big-name speakers were inspiring, but the real magic? The in-between moments, the honest chats, the unexpected bonds, the shared “you too?” with women who just get it.
Being part of the Open Chair delegation made Cannes feel like a catalyst for connection, confidence, and community.
What was your biggest learning from this trip, both on a personal level and work level?
Personally, Cannes reminded me that being myself is my greatest strength.
Stepping out of my comfort zone, showing up fully, and genuinely listening to others made it clear that I don’t need to perform to belong. I just need to be present and real.
Professionally, Cannes made it clear that authenticity is no longer a buzzword; it’s the benchmark.
People aren’t connecting with perfection; they’re connecting with honesty, heart, and humanity. Realness reigns, the algorithm rewards it, and our audiences are craving it.
The future of advertising isn’t about filters, it’s about feeling.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to succeed in this industry?
Don’t wait for permission to lead - start where you are.
Speak up, even if your voice shakes.
Find your people, those who will cheer you on, give you feedback, and remind you of your worth when things get hard.
And most importantly, protect your creativity, it’s your superpower. This industry needs your voice, your perspective, and your magic.
About the Open Chair Lionesses
This year 15 young women attended Cannes 2025 through the Open Chair.
Cannes Lions allocated over R700,000 worth of tickets to the local non-profit that aims to nurture and inspire the next generation of women leaders in the industry and agencies and companies in the creative space, sponsored flights and accommodation.
The passes were for “Young Lions”, who must be 30 and under, and for full-time students of 23 and under.
From Cannes’ equity, representation and accessibility programme, the tickets gave the young Lionesse access the to festival’s award shows, talks, networking spaces, daily happy hours and the closing party.
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About Danette Breitenbach
Danette Breitenbach is a marketing & media editor at Bizcommunity.com. Previously she freelanced in the marketing and media sector, including for Bizcommunity. She was editor and publisher of AdVantage, the publication that served the marketing, media and advertising industry in southern Africa. She has worked extensively in print media, mainly B2B. She has a Masters in Financial Journalism from Wits.
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