Cannes Lions has unveiled the 2026 See It Be It cohort, with India’s Shreya Arora, Creative Strategy at Ultrahuman, being selected for the global talent programme focused on advancing women and non-binary professionals in the creative industry.
The cohort has included 20 creatives from 15 markets, with Serbia and South Korea being represented for the first time. The programme has been scheduled to take place at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity from 22 to 26 June 2026.
Participants have received mentorship, private masterclasses with industry leaders, and sessions tailored to their career goals, along with backstage access during the festival.
The programme has been supported by Alumni Tutors Natasha Lashly, Founder & ECD, Piña Colada, Venezuela, and Leena Gupta, Creative & Founding Member, Talented Agency, India.
The 2026 cohort has featured professionals from organisations including X3M Ideas, Twitch, GUT São Paulo, Mischief @ No Fixed Address, CJ Cheiljedang, Burson, LEGO Group, Motion Sickness, Wieden+Kennedy London, Weber Shandwick, Spitfire Films, thecode, NewComma, Area 23, Ultrahuman, Leo Australia, No Agency and DDB Chile.
Since its inception in 2014, the See It Be It programme has included more than 150 women and non-binary participants from 44 markets. It has aimed to address gender imbalance in creative leadership roles and has expanded through regional Connect initiatives to extend its reach globally. The programme has also recently expanded in APAC with a See It Be It Connect event held alongside Spikes Asia in Singapore.
“The week I came back from Cannes, I wrote a little “moonshot” in my notebook: come back one day as a SIBI Tutor. This programme has a way of changing you. You arrive for the professional growth, but you leave with something deeper: confidence, clarity, and a global sisterhood. Being a tutor now feels like the most beautiful full-circle moment. My role is simple: hold the space, share the sunshine, and remind every brilliant woman and non-binary creative that they truly belong here.”, Natasha Lashly
“Being part of See It Be It 2025 shifted something fundamental in me. It reminded me that the right room can change the trajectory of a career. Coming back as a Tutor feels like a full-circle moment. I’m excited to hold space for twenty extraordinary women as they question bigger, speak louder, and build braver. If SIBI 2025 taught me anything, it’s that when women see what’s possible, they don’t just rise; they smash the ceiling.”, Leena Gupta
“The See It Be It programme is a cornerstone initiative at Cannes Lions, embodying our unwavering commitment to elevating underrepresented talent in the creative industry. This year, the programme welcomes a dynamic cohort representing a broad range of creative disciplines and global markets. Their unique perspectives and experiences will undoubtedly enrich our SIBI community – a network dedicated to fostering career development and paving the way forward for women and non-binary talent in the industry. Congratulations to the 2026 cohort, we look forward to welcoming you at the Festival.”, Frank Starling
