PVLF 2026

Women's Day Feature: Samantha Holman President of IFRRO and CEO of Irish Copyright Licensing Agency (ICLA

In this interview, Samantha shares her journey with IFRRO and ICLA, discusses women’s leadership in publishing, and explains how the industry can navigate copyright challenges in the age of AI and technology.
on Mar 09, 2026

Frontlist: How were your first years as part of the IFRRO community, and how has that changed over the years, including the presence of women in leadership roles? How did your career lead you to work as the CEO of ICLA and President of IFRRO?

Samantha: When I first became involved with IFRRO, the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations, what struck me most was the strong sense of purpose and collegiality. Collective management is built on cooperation, and that spirit was very evident from the outset. At the time, however, senior leadership positions were still more frequently held by men, particularly at international level,

with one or two notable exceptions, Tarja Koskinen-Olsen and Litten Hansen.

Over the years, I have seen a steady and very welcome shift. Today, women are far more visible across the IFRRO community, as CEOs of collective management organisations, as Board members, and in committee leadership roles. Importantly, this change has not been merely symbolic; it has strengthened the depth and quality of our discussions and decision-making.

My own path was not linear. After studying Applied Linguistics, I worked in a law firm, and then into teaching and teacher training. That experience — working at the intersection of education and rights, naturally led me to copyright. I became CEO of the Irish Copyright Licensing Agency (ICLA) in 2001, and through that role became deeply involved in IFRRO’s work, particularly in development initiatives and European cooperation. Over time, I served in various capacities, including Chair of the European Development Committee, member of the Board, and First Vice President, before being elected President in October last year. Each step built on the previous one, and all were rooted in a commitment to ensuring that authors and publishers are fairly remunerated while access to education and knowledge is maintained.

Frontlist: How can the industry better support and advance women in leadership in the publishing industry? What skills do you think the next generation of publishing leaders need most?

Samantha: Supporting women in leadership requires more than encouragement; it requires structural intention. Transparent recruitment processes, mentoring schemes, sponsorship at senior levels, and clear pathways to advancement are essential. Organisations must also examine how leadership is defined, ensuring that collaboration, communication, and strategic thinking are valued alongside traditional executive profiles.

At an industry level, visibility matters greatly. When emerging professionals see women leading major copyright organisations or publishing houses, it normalises ambition and broadens expectations.

As for the next generation of publishing leaders, adaptability is paramount. Copyright now intersects with technology, data governance, platform economics, and artificial intelligence. Leaders will need legal and policy literacy, digital fluency, and a strong ethical compass. The ability to negotiate across sectors and across regions worldwide will be critical. Above all, they will need resilience and a collaborative mindset, as the challenges we face are complex and global in scope.

Frontlist: Could you please tell us about IFRRO’s new partnership with Publisher?

Samantha: We are very pleased about IFRRO’s partnership with PublisHer, an initiative dedicated to supporting and amplifying women in the publishing sector globally. It is launched on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2026.

The partnership reflects a shared objective: strengthening the visibility, influence, and professional development of women across copyright-intensive industries. IFRRO represents collective management organisations that safeguard the interests of authors and publishers of all kinds, worldwide; PublisHer works to ensure that women within publishing have platforms, networks, and opportunities to lead. By collaborating, we can connect copyright policy, licensing practice, and leadership development. It is an important step in recognising that equitable representation in publishing and equitable remuneration for authors and publishers are deeply

interconnected goals.

Frontlist: More broadly, how do you think we can better navigate the technological challenges that we are facing nowadays?

Samantha: Technology has always shaped publishing, but the pace of change is now unprecedented. Artificial intelligence, large-scale data use, and digital dissemination models are testing traditional licensing frameworks.

The key is not to resist innovation, but to engage with it constructively. Collective management has long demonstrated that practical licensing solutions can be developed in response to new uses. We must continue to advocate for transparency, lawful access, and fair remuneration, particularly in relation to AI training.

Collaboration is essential, between rightsholders, collective management organisations, policymakers, and technology developers. Sustainable solutions will only emerge if all stakeholders recognise that creativity has value and that this value must be respected within technological ecosystems.

Frontlist: How does International Women’s Day influence IFRRO’s long-term strategy for increasing women’s representation in leadership roles across the copyright-intensive publishing sector?

Samantha: International Women’s Day provides both visibility and accountability. It encourages

reflection on progress but also prompts us to examine what more can be achieved.

For IFRRO, long-term strategy means embedding diversity considerations into governance structures, committee appointments, speaker representation at

international meetings and development programmes. Representation should not be episodic or symbolic; it should be integrated into how we operate.

We are particularly conscious of supporting leadership development in emerging markets, where access to professional networks and mentorship may be more limited. Ensuring that women from diverse regions are represented strengthens the global legitimacy and effectiveness of our work.

Frontlist: What concrete changes do you believe are most urgent to ensure that women leaders can shape the future of copyright particularly in areas like AI governance, licensing models, and creator remuneration?

Samantha: First, women must be present in the rooms where technological and policy frameworks are being designed whether at international negotiations, industry working groups, or national legislative consultations. Representation at these forums directly influences outcomes.

Second, we need targeted expertise-building. AI governance, digital licensing infrastructures, and data transparency mechanisms require specialised knowledge. Investing in training and cross-sector exposure will enable more women to lead confidently in these discussions.

Third, remuneration systems must remain fair and transparent. Collective management organisations play a vital role here, but they must continue evolving to address new forms of use. Ensuring that women leaders help design these systems will shape more inclusive and sustainable models.

Ultimately, fairness in copyright and fairness in representation are aligned principles. If we are committed to equitable remuneration for creators, we must be equally committed to equitable participation in leadership.