Thedrum

To say that Tamara Littleton, chief executive officer of The Social Element, was ahead of her time would be an understatement. Founding her global agency 16 years ago, social media was but a blip on the radar and not even close to the marketing and societal force it is today. “My dad thinks that I invented social media,” she said. “I genuinely haven’t told him that’s not the case.” A generous, tenacious and compassionate leader, Littleton has evolved her style, which came executive team feedback that she was not direct enough and averse to conflict. “It was a bit hard to hear at the time, but I took it onboard, and I’ve changed the way I communicate,” she said. “I allow for healthy conflict that has helped us as a team.” Continuously learning, Littleton places a great deal of stock in not only understanding the path of the internet and social interaction online but participating with those who are shaping its future. To that end, she serves on the board of an LGBTQ entrepreneurs group in London and is par