Since stepping into the CEO role at UnLtd in June 2025, Philippa Moig has wasted no time making her mark.
Backed by a deep well of industry experience and a clear sense of purpose, she has already expanded the organisation’s board, strengthened its strategic muscle and further cemented UnLtd’s reputation as the social impact engine of the media, marketing and advertising sector.
Known for bringing people together with a mix of conviction and heart, Moig has quickly become a unifying force – and her early leadership has signalled a bold, collaborative vision for how the industry can drive meaningful change.
1. What does it mean to win an award like this?
Honestly, I was bloody chuffed and totally surprised. It’s a huge honour, but this recognition really belongs to the small but mighty team at UnLtd and MOOD, and our 27 incredible charity partners. I’ve only been in the role five months, so the kudos goes to them entirely.
For me, this award means we’re creating more awareness for the work we must do. Too many young people continue to face unimaginable trauma through no fault of their own – homelessness, sexual abuse, mental health, suicide, intergenerational trauma.
We are still locking up ten-year-old children. I know that’s heavy, but I share it because to solve these issues, we first have to be willing to feel them.
Not everyone is born with the same opportunity to thrive, and our mission is to change that – to create more possibility and more hope. This award tells me our industry genuinely cares, that people believe in using their influence to change lives by choosing to power UnLtd.
It’s also special to be alongside others in this category who I look up to and learn from, the kind of people who make our industry better.
2. Why are awards and events like this important for the industry?
It’s been a tough year for a lot of folks out there. These moments really matter. They give us a chance to pause, breathe, reflect, celebrate, and be reminded of the incredible community we work among – one that often feels like family. People give so much heart to what they do, and it’s nice to stop for a second and take that in.
Reading through what everyone has achieved – the way they’re shifting the dial across impact, innovation, growth, influence and agency – honestly just made me smile.
So many good humans doing brilliant work. Seeing the great man Horgs celebrated was extra special. He does it all with heart and humility.
3. What does this recognition say about where the industry is heading?
This win shows a real shift. More and more companies are choosing to use their power for good. We often say in advertising that “we’re not saving lives,” but through UnLtd, we’re proving that we actually can.
Our industry are experts at changing hearts, minds and behaviour; our charity partners are experts at changing young lives. Together, we’re creating real, lasting impact.
Every $1 invested through UnLtd becomes $26.40 of social impact for young people at risk. But the moments you can’t measure – a message of hope, a young person feeling seen, finding help, knowing they matter – that’s the real impact.
This recognition tells me our industry’s heart is strong, and when we use our influence with purpose, we can genuinely change lives.
4. Looking ahead, what’s the most significant opportunity or challenge for your area right now?
The rise of AI is transforming our industry at lightning speed. It’s an incredible opportunity and an exciting time, but it also makes human connection more important than ever.
As work becomes more automated, the value of coming together – having a yarn, sharing ideas, building real relationships – only grows.
That’s why our UnLtd events matter so much. They bring the entire industry together – holdcos, indies, publishers, big tech and marketers – for a moment to connect, compete, have a laugh and reconnect to why we do what we do.
Because at the end of the day, everyone in our industry needs to be reminded of their immense capacity for good, and that when we use it, we can change lives.
5. Who or what has inspired your approach to leadership?
Leadership isn’t about titles or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about listening, learning and helping others rise. It’s about holding space for people to be brave, to grow, and to bring their full selves. That’s exactly what mentors have done for me.
I’ve been lucky to learn from incredible humans – my UnLtd board, my team, many mentors (Aims, Horgs, Sherilyn, Sian, Laura, Kim, MJ, Ro, Sparrow, Coady, Pia, just to name a few) and The Marketing Academy community.
They’ve held space for me to pause, challenged me to grow, and reminded me what’s possible when you lead with courage, curiosity and care.
I didn’t get my dream job at UnLtd the first time I went for it in 2024.
It stung – properly. I had to sit with it and understand the lesson. It ended up being one of the most rewarding moments of my career. It taught me resilience, humility and to stay tenacious in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. It also reminded me that how you show up after a “no” says more about you than any win ever will.
My time at Google taught me to do less, but make it count – to be hard on the work, not on the people. I’m a true believer in giving to give, not to get, and in surrounding yourself with people who make you better.
Nath Young once told me, “You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, but make sure you surround yourself with them,” and many of those people were in my category this year.
I expect a lot from myself because the mission we serve demands it. When the stakes are young lives, complacency isn’t an option. I hold myself and my team to a high standard of accountability.
Own it, fail, learn fast, keep growing. I’m big on empowerment, not permission – everyone at UnLtd is trusted and expected to rise to the challenge, because our mission deserves nothing less.
Our Founder has inspired me to think a certain way. The day I think ‘job done, I’ll pat myself on the back’, is honestly the day my Board and team should fire me.
Leadership, like impact is NEVER finished. The moment you stop learning, stop being curious, loose the fire or stop pushing yourself and those around you, is the moment you stop deserving the privilege of leading.