Women Who Cannes

Written by Erica Fieldman (Unplugged Collective) in collaboration with Hollis Guerra (Advance Women)

Cannes moves fast. The energy is high, the invites are nonstop, and half the time you’re sprinting from a beachside brunch to a rooftop panel without actually knowing what day it is.

But zoom out for a second, and something interesting is happening.

This year, we counted over 100 events focused on women. Not as a marketing hook, but as the actual moment. That’s not a coincidence, it’s a shift. One that deserves attention.

So we did what we do best: cut through the noise. After digging through 800+ invites, we pulled together the ones that actually center women in a way that feels meaningful, intentional, and (most importantly) not performative. The result? Women Who Cannes — a guide for anyone who wants to plug into what’s real.

Erica Fieldman, Co-Founder & CMO, Unplugged Collective; Hollis Guerra, Co-Founder, Advance Women & President, Purpose Worldwide (L to R)

This piece is part of The Unplugged Edit, where we speak plainly about what’s worth showing up for. And this time, we’re doing it in conversation.

I’m teaming up with Hollis Guerra, co-founder of Advance Women & President of Purpose Worldwide, for a joint POV on what’s different this year, what’s inspiring us, and what we hope women take with them—whether it’s their first Cannes or their fifth.

Because this isn’t a moment. It’s momentum.

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Erica: Let’s just say it — something’s shifted. I’ve never seen this many women-centered invites flying around with this much purpose. It’s not just noise; there’s a real vibe this year.

Stefanie Beach (The Digital Marketeer Podcast) and Advance Women Founders - Priti Powell, Sophia Westrich, & Hollis Guerra (L to R)

Hollis: It’s not just the volume—it’s the substance. There’s this energy around women taking up space on every stage: in sports, in tech, in venture, in culture. It’s bold, it’s grounded, and it’s about more than just visibility. People are designing experiences around connection, support, and impact—and women are showing up for each other in a big way.

Hollis: OK, your turn—what made you want to build out this list in the first place?

Erica: Honestly? I made this list because I needed it myself. But also because my inbox was turning into a hotline for “Where are the real things happening?” People are over fluff. They want to feel plugged in, not just present. They want something with teeth—real value, real people, real connection..

Erica: What themes are you most excited to see take center stage this year?

Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity is June 16-20, 2025

Hollis: Women in sports is a big one. The rise of women athletes and execs finally getting the spotlight they deserve—it’s empowering. And then there’s AI. There’s a real push to make sure women aren’t just consumers of AI, but architects of it. We’re finally talking about ethics, access, and bias in a way that invites new perspectives.

Hollis: Speaking of access—you’ve talked about this idea of "redefining access" a lot. What does that mean to you in the context of Cannes?

Erica: Redefining access means the gatekeeping era is (finally) on its way out. We’re not just asking for a seat anymore—we’re designing the table and deciding who gets invited. More founders are stepping into rooms they were once left out of, and programming is starting to reflect the real world. It’s less about fitting in and more about showing up fully—on our own terms

Erica: Who’s someone in the industry you think embodies this moment?

Bozoma Stain John, Debbie Ellison  (L To R) 

Hollis: Bozoma Saint John, always. She leads with heart and power. And Debbie Ellison—she’s quietly shaping the future of digital media with intentionality and boldness. But honestly? It’s not just the icons. It’s the women you meet on your third panel of the day who drop a line that stays with you. Those moments are everywhere this year.

Hollis: Last one—what do you hope women feel when they see this list?

Erica: What I want women to feel when they see this list? Like there’s space for them—wherever they are, however they show up. This isn’t about hitting every party or panel. It’s about finding the rooms where they feel seen, included, and actually energized. We built this as a guide, not a checklist. Whether you're showing up, skipping out, taking up space, or taking a breather—just know you're not doing it alone. We’re out there too, cheering you on every step (and dance floor) of the way.

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The Edit: Women-Led Moments at Cannes Lions

Power Panels

Event	Host	Date
Beyond the Moment: Making the Movement Last in Women’s Sports	Smartly	6/18
Women in Commerce Experience	Criteo + Women in Retail Media Collective	6/18
Ad Age x Adlatina Leading Women in Cannes	Ad Age	6/18
Women Inspiring Network (WIN) in Cannes	WIN	6/18
Women Rewriting the Playbook in Sports Marketing	ADWEEK	6/16
Women & AI	Microsoft	6/19
She Runs It @ Cannes 2025	She Runs It (with Yieldmo, ADWEEK, Teads, & Basis)	6/16-6/18

Networking & Connection

Beaches, Villas, Lounges, Communities

P.S. if you’re wondering how we got a list of 800+ events, big shout out to Propeller Group and The Digital Voice, the real MVP’s of Cannes logistics. If you have an event that isn’t on here, shoot a note to info@unpluggedcollective.com