As we approach International Women’s Day (taking place on March 8th), we shine a spotlight on the remarkable women whose talent, dedication, and vision drive Affiverse forward every single day. Their diverse perspectives and leadership help shape our company culture and fuel our success – helping affiliates and affiliate managers around the globe learn, connect and grow their businesses in performance marketing.
The Power of Female Leadership
At Affiverse, we believe in the transformative power of diverse leadership. Our female team members bring unique insights, innovative approaches, and exceptional skills that strengthen our organization at every level. Today, we’re proud to share their stories.
“We’ve built our team with the support of brilliant women because we truly believe in the power of lifting each other up. When we do, we can create spaces where ideas flourish, voices are heard, and the whole industry moves forward together. I’m very lucky to have a team that supports one another to thrive and creates an inclusive space for everyone to enjoy working together to deliver our goals” says Lee-Ann Johnstone, Founder, Affiverse
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Leanna Klyne, Director of Affiverse Agency
What initially attracted you to the affiliate marketing industry?
“I was drawn to the perfect blend of analytics and relationship building. I saw an opportunity to create value by connecting the right partners and optimising those relationships for mutual success. What started as curiosity evolved into passion when I realized the measurable impact good affiliate strategies can have on business growth.”
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your role as Director of Agency?
“Seeing strategies come to life and deliver results is incredibly satisfying, but what truly energizes me is developing my team. Watching someone master a challenging skill or grow into a leadership role—that’s the real reward. I believe in creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to innovate and take ownership of their work.”
What advice would you give to women just starting in the industry?
“Find your voice and use it. Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready before speaking up or pursuing an opportunity—that moment rarely comes. Instead, embrace challenges as growth opportunities. And importantly, build your network intentionally. The relationships you cultivate today can become your most valuable professional assets tomorrow.”
Caitlyn Roberts, Affiliate Account Manager
What’s been your proudest achievement at Affiverse?
“Last year, I revitalized a stagnant affiliate program for one of our key clients, enabling a 64% reduction in CPC costs by optimising partner placements and segmenting the program to include a diverse set of affiliates.Seeing those numbers climb month after month was incredibly rewarding.”
How do you stay ahead of industry trends?
“This industry evolves rapidly, so continuous learning is non-negotiable. I dedicate time each week to research, participate in relevant communities, and experiment with emerging tools. I also value cross-functional conversations—sometimes the best insights come from colleagues working in adjacent spaces.”
Tamara Wheatley, Account Exec
What does a typical day look like for you at Affiverse?
“No two days are identical! Generally, my mornings involve working with the team to co-ordinate our chart topping podcast and afternoons might include collaborating with our content or agency teams. I thrive in this variety—it keeps me engaged and allows me to be flexible with my children’s school schedules”
What marketing innovation are you most excited about right now?
“I’m fascinated by how AI is enhancing personalization while simultaneously making it more efficient. We’re entering an era where hyper-personalized content can be delivered at scale without sacrificing authenticity. Finding the right balance—leveraging technology while maintaining the human touch is something I’m exploring.”
Emma James, Events Team
What are some of the key projects you’re working on right now?
“Events offer unique opportunities to bring our content to life through direct community engagement. We have created our ELEVATE summit to help SME’s gain momentum. I support Lee-Ann to bring the content to life in the physical sense and get to work with all the other teams to make that happen. The goal is always give more value than customers expect to receive”
Cristel Guajardo, Business Development
How do you identify valuable new business opportunities?
“I’m naturally curious and observant, which serves me well in business development. I pay attention to market gaps, emerging needs, and shifting trends. But beyond research, I prioritize conversations—with clients, partners, even competitors. These discussions often reveal unspoken pain points or desires that represent perfect opportunities for Affiverse to deliver value.”
What quality do you think is most important for success in business development?
“Resilience, without question. This role involves navigating uncertainty and facing rejection regularly. The ability to maintain enthusiasm and perspective through these challenges is crucial. I view each ‘no’ as valuable information rather than failure—it helps refine our approach and brings us closer to finding the right fit.”
Rosanne Govender, Growth Marketing
As a newer member of Affiverse – What attracted you to want to work there specifically?
“Lee-Ann Johnstone has always been someone I have followed with great admiration, I love how authentic she is and how Affiverse has been built on that authenticity and passion making it a formidable force in the industry, our values aligned and its been an absolute adventure since the beginning. “
How do you balance data-driven decisions with creative intuition?
“I see data and creativity as complementary forces rather than opposing ones. Data provides the ‘what’ and sometimes the ‘where,’ while creative intuition helps with the ‘how’ and ‘why.’ My best work happens when I let data reveal opportunities or problems, then apply creative thinking to develop solutions. Neither should exist in isolation.”
Emma Roberts, Editorial
How do you ensure content remains both engaging and strategic?
“The secret is never losing sight of the audience. Every piece of content starts with a clear understanding of who we’re speaking to, what they care about, and where they are in their journey. Strategic content isn’t about forcing marketing messages—it’s about meeting readers where they are with information or stories that genuinely serve them. When you do that well, engagement naturally follows.”
How do you approach storytelling in a data-heavy industry?
“Numbers matter, but human connection drives action. I focus on finding the narrative within the data—the ‘so what’ factor that gives meaning to metrics. This might mean highlighting the person behind a success story, illustrating the real-world impact of a solution, or creating scenarios that help readers see themselves in the situation. Good storytelling transforms abstract concepts into relatable experiences.”
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Women’s Day Reflections
When asked what International Women’s Day means to them, our team shared these thoughts:
Leanna: “It’s a reminder to celebrate progress while acknowledging the work still ahead. I’m grateful for the women who paved the way in this industry and committed to doing the same for the next generation.”
Caitlyn: “This day represents both celebration and commitment—honoring achievements while renewing our dedication to creating inclusive spaces where all women can thrive.”
Tamara: “It’s not about recognition, it’s about celebrating visible accomplishments while also valuing the often invisible work that our entire team contributes to our workplace and the wider communities we serve in performance marketing.”
Cristel: “For me, it’s a day to reflect on the collective strength of our team and the power of supportive networks. My success is intertwined with the women who’ve mentored me and those I now have the privilege to support.”
Rosanne: “International Women’s Day reminds me of the importance of amplifying diverse female voices and perspectives in our industry. Innovation thrives when we create space for different viewpoints.”
Emma: “It’s a powerful opportunity to share stories with other successful women in business that might otherwise go untold—to illuminate paths and possibilities for women navigating their own professional journeys.”
Looking Ahead and Mentoring others
At Affiverse, we’re committed to fostering an environment where women can lead, innovate, and thrive and we recognise that diversity of thought and experience strengthens our entire team. Being able to offer flexible work options enables us to attract talent from around the globe and that helps us to serve our clients better too!
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we extend our appreciation to the remarkable women featured here and to all the other bold, bright and fabulous women who contribute to our success story in the performance marketing industry – every single day.
Happy Women’s Day to you all!
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