Sophie Neary, Managing Director, Retail & Consumer Goods at Google, is a champion for innovation, a supporter of diversity, and a driving force in the marketing industry. 

In our latest episode of Visionary Voices – as Sophie celebrates her first anniversary at Google – she opened up about her career journey, the evolving tech landscape, and her advice for aspiring leaders.

Before Google, Sophie spent three and a half years at Meta. Prior that, she was Managing Director Digital, Executive Director at Boots UK where she owned and led the execution of Boots' digital retail "next generation" strategy. Her admirable career history has enabled her to gain a broad understanding of big tech companies and FMCG, delving deeper into what consumers truly desire. 

Her insights are deeply rooted in the belief that "people power change and technology is just an enabler."

Approach to leadership  

In a world where "change has never happened this fast, and will never be this slow again," Sophie emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience. Drawing inspiration from influential figures like Hilary Clinton and Michelle Obama, she explains that true strength lies in vulnerability and that effective leadership guides people through change, regardless of the company or industry.

Sophie also champions the idea that "our comfort zones are a lovely place, but nothing ever grows there," encouraging leaders and teams to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Her philosophy of learning from failures – "Don’t let your failures set you back; let them set you up for greater success" – has become a key principle for her work and life.

What’s shaping the digital world? 

In this episode, Sophie shared powerful industry insights, including the growing significance of YouTube as a platform for brand building. Adults watch YouTube on their big screens for an average of 35 minutes daily, presenting a significant opportunity for brands to target consumers on the platform. She highlighted a strategic approach: using YouTube to create brand demand and leveraging Google Search convert.

Sophie also touched on emerging trends in retail, noting that the UK's advanced online commerce capabilities, fueled by next-day delivery and geographic advantages, set a global standard. Omni-channel retail, blending online and offline experiences, is something that Sophie thinks brands need to be honing in on in 2025.

Looking ahead, Sophie discussed the transformative potential of AI, particularly in addressing the gender health gap. She spoke about Google's groundbreaking work with DeepMind and AlphaFold, which expedites treatments for various medical conditions and showcases how technology can drive meaningful change.

Watch now to hear Sophie speak about:

• Building community: Sophie believes that technology should bring people together. “Meta’s mission is about building connections,” she shared. This vision translates into global initiatives and local strategies that help businesses and individuals thrive in a connected world.
• Leadership: Leadership isn’t just about guiding, it’s about inspiring. Sophie highlighted the importance of empowering teams to explore new ideas, take calculated risks, and drive meaningful change.
• Diversity fuels innovation: Sophie stressed the significance of inclusive teams, sharing, “When you bring different perspectives to the table, you create solutions that truly resonate.” Diversity in gender, sexuality, background and so many other areas should be seen as superpowers, not success preventers.