Recognition is always rewarding, but the achievements that matter most are often measured by the opportunities we create for others.
That’s why we’re delighted to share that our CEO, Zeina Khodr, has been recognised for the B&T Women in Media Awards Power List (2026). The awards recognise leaders helping to advance gender equality across Australia’s media industry, with finalists selected for their contribution to the industry, their impact on Australian society and culture, and their commitment to championing equality and inclusion.
For Zeina, this recognition reflects something that has always been central to her approach to leadership: giving back.
At Paper + Spark, we believe that building a stronger industry extends beyond delivering great work for clients. It also means sharing knowledge, supporting emerging talent and creating pathways for others to succeed.
That philosophy has shaped much of Zeina’s work outside the agency.
Recently featured on Startup 360, a program exploring the people behind Australia’s startup ecosystem, Zeina spoke about the journey of building Paper + Spark, the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, and the leadership approach that has helped the agency grow over the past seven years.
She also spoke extensively about volunteering, which is something she originally embraced simply because she wanted to contribute. Zeina remains a passionate volunteer, devoting time to several organisations. She highlights her role as a Virtual Expert in Residence, helping founders launch their businesses through a free program run by Investment NSW (Innovation NSW). She also supports Mentor Walks, which provides women in Sydney and Parramatta with opportunities to learn from highly successful female professionals (Zeina specifically mentors participants in the emerging marketers program). Additionally, she serves as the current NSW Chair for the Australian Marketing Institute.
While Zeina initially took on these roles with a goal to give back – driven by what she calls an “abundance mentality” – she also finds that volunteering helps her continue learning, while energising and inspiring her. While these roles are about helping others, they’ve also become an important source of personal and professional growth.
Working with founders exposes her to fresh ideas and different ways of thinking. Mentoring future marketing leaders offers new perspectives on the industry’s evolving challenges. Collaborating with peers across professional organisations creates opportunities to continue learning while building stronger connections across the profession.
It’s a reminder that giving back isn’t a one-way exchange.
The strongest professional communities are built when experienced leaders invest in the next generation, and when today’s mentors remain open to learning from those they support. Everyone benefits.
As businesses become increasingly focused on performance metrics and efficiency, it’s easy to view volunteering as something to fit around work. In reality, it can become part of what makes someone a better leader: developing empathy, broadening perspectives and strengthening the networks that help industries thrive.
Congratulations to Zeina on this well-deserved recognition. We’re proud to see her commitment to supporting others recognised, and even prouder that it’s a philosophy embedded in everything we do at Paper + Spark.
If you’d like to hear more about Zeina’s journey, leadership philosophy and volunteer work, her conversation on Startup 360 is well worth a listen.