Worldwide Ladies’s Day (IWD) is globally celebrated to honour ladies’s achievements and ensure our ongoing dedication to creating the world extra equal, numerous, and inclusive.
This yr’s IWD theme, #InspireInclusion, reminds us to advertise variety in decision-making roles to propel progress throughout varied sectors and encourage youthful ladies to pursue management paths. By advocating for inclusive practices, organizations and communities empower ladies to faucet into their full potential, resulting in improved decision-making and reaching sustainable success.
At Agility PR Options, we’re taking this second to focus on the distinctive ladies inside our ranks—ladies who are usually not simply a part of our success story however are pivotal to our journey of innovation, management, and excellence.
Right here’s what they needed to say about their inspirations, experiences, and the way they see the long run shaping up:
Pragya Dubey (Vice President, World Providers)
- This yr’s IWD theme is #InspireInclusion. What does this imply to you?
This implies we, as people (males, ladies, or others), take accountability for selling inclusion in our personal sphere of affect. We concentrate on our actions and philosophy and maintain ourselves accountable for inclusivity at work and in life.
- Which ladies encourage you probably the most?
Ladies furthering not solely their pursuits but additionally specializing in broader pursuits and objectives of society by way of fairness, variety, and inclusion are most inspiring. This may very well be senior leaders you see as energetic or any stage worker who’s energetic inside their sphere of affect.
- What are the advantages of getting ladies in management positions?
Research have proven ladies leaders enhance the ROI of an organization, so there’s a monetary profit to the corporate and stakeholders. Plus, having ladies in management roles helps slender the gender fairness hole as their efficiency is self-evident and dispels any historic notions. Lastly, ladies leaders are the most effective champions of DEI.
- Based mostly in your expertise, what recommendation do you have got for girls pursuing a profession within the media outreach and PR/PR Tech trade?
My recommendation can be that this trade is a Ladies’s house, so begin from the place of possession. Come into this trade with the perspective that that is your house, and you might be no much less however, the truth is, superior in lots of regards, as communication is likely one of the inherent robust traits for girls.
Diane Vuignier (Vice President of Product Improvement)
- This yr’s IWD theme is #InspireInclusion. What does this imply to you?
It means fostering a tradition that encourages and celebrates variety and galvanizing people to embrace and respect each other’s distinctive views.
- Which ladies encourage you probably the most?
Emmy Noether conjures up me. She is considered one of many best mathematicians and laid the foundations for a lot of contemporary theoretical physics regardless of going through many gender-based challenges throughout her profession.
Throughout my eight-year tenure at Agility PR Options, I’ve drawn inspiration from my involvement within the senior management staff, a dynamic group marked by a constant presence of achieved feminine leaders.
- What affect do you try to have on ladies in your organization and the broader trade?
I hope to assist and encourage ladies to decide on STEM careers and tackle management positions. I hope to create a supportive and inclusive work atmosphere and use my affect to advocate for extra ladies in expertise and management.
- What are the advantages of getting ladies in management positions?
Research have proven that corporations with numerous management, together with ladies in vital roles, typically outperform much less diversified corporations by way of monetary outcomes. Additionally, ladies in management roles can function function fashions, inspiring and motivating different workers, notably ladies, by fostering a optimistic and inclusive work tradition.
- Based mostly in your expertise, what recommendation do you have got for girls pursuing a profession within the media outreach and PR/PR Tech trade?
These are usually not particular for the PR/PR Tech trade however:
- Advocate for your self. Construct a powerful community.
- Don’t hesitate to voice your concepts and opinions.
- Develop resilience.
- Stability technical and gentle abilities.
Allison Murphy (Managing Director, UK)
- This yr’s IWD theme is #InspireInclusion. What does this imply to you?
The #InspireInclusion theme encapsulates the essence of fostering an atmosphere the place each voice isn’t just heard however celebrated. Inclusion is about creating areas the place variety thrives, variations are valued, and everybody feels empowered to be genuine. I’ve been very lucky to have labored with many leaders – each women and men – who foster this type of atmosphere, and for that, I’ll be endlessly grateful.
- Which ladies encourage you probably the most?
As a baby, Helen Keller’s story captivated me, instructing me the ability of resilience and the significance of perseverance in overcoming challenges. Personally, my grandmother is my inspiration. Her battle with ALS left her paralyzed and unable to stroll or speak. Regardless of that, she all the time wore a smile, radiated pleasure in her eyes, and maintained a ardour for studying and writing – retaining her engaged together with her household and with life itself. Her unwavering spirit continues to encourage me daily.
- What affect do you try to have on ladies in your organization and the broader trade?
My aim is to champion variety and inclusion, all the time striving to create a tradition the place ladies really feel empowered to excel, their voices are heard, and so they have equal development alternatives. I attempt to join with the ladies in my community recurrently, as they’re an important supply of inspiration for me, each personally and professionally.
- What are the advantages of getting ladies in management positions?
All through my profession, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with influential ladies who stand out for his or her capability to ship efficient options whereas by no means dropping sight of their core values, empathy, and distinctive emotional intelligence. Diane Vuignier, as an illustration, frequently conjures up me together with her adeptness at tackling complicated technical challenges whereas retaining her cool. Then there’s Nicoletta Nicoli, who teaches the significance of a supportive neighborhood, and Amrita Sidhu’s infectious spark that uplifts any room. These ladies have left an enduring mark on me, shaping my perspective on management and success.
- Based mostly in your expertise, what recommendation do you have got for girls pursuing a profession within the media outreach and PR/PR Tech trade?
For ladies pursuing careers in media outreach and PR/PR Tech, I counsel staying curious, resilient, and true to your self. Embrace each alternative to study and develop, search out mentors who can supply steerage and assist, and don’t be afraid to advocate for your self. Keep in mind, success isn’t all the time linear—setbacks and challenges additionally current alternatives for development and growth.
- What massive win for girls in PR/ PR tech do you hope to see in 2024? OR What change for girls in PR/PR Tech are you most enthusiastic about in 2024?
In 2024, I’m optimistic about witnessing a shift towards better recognition and assist for girls in PR. I envision a yr the place corporations prioritize implementing HR insurance policies that actually assist ladies, reminiscent of versatile working preparations, prolonged parental depart, and childcare help. By prioritizing the well-being and success of ladies, we not solely domesticate a extra equitable office but additionally improve the general success and sustainability of our trade.
Cara Valle (Director, Advertising and marketing)
- This yr’s IWD theme is #InspireInclusion. What does this imply to you?
The #InspireInclusion theme resonates with me as an acknowledgement of historic gender disparities when ladies have been systematically excluded from development alternatives. Nevertheless, the theme can also be a reminder of the work left to deal with persisting challenges for all underrepresented teams to maneuver towards equality. It’s essential to emphasise real inclusion when creating an atmosphere the place anybody who identifies as feminine feels they’ve equal alternatives to contribute and thrive.
- Which ladies encourage you probably the most?
I discover inspiration within the works of feminine writers, notably Margaret Atwood, Judy Blume, and Barbara Kingsolver. These writers haven’t solely created compelling tales however have pushed boundaries and challenged societal norms by way of their narratives. Whether or not addressing ladies’s points in a real-life relatable method or by way of dystopic storytelling, their skills have helped to form my perspective on feminine equality.
- What affect do you try to have on ladies in your organization and the broader trade?
I hope to affect others by cultivating a supportive and aspirational atmosphere. My aim is to create an environment the place everybody can thrive and confidently contribute to the expansion of the corporate and the trade at giant, in addition to their very own private development. I try to contribute to an empathetic tradition that not solely applauds achievements but additionally supplies assist throughout difficult occasions.
- What are the advantages of getting ladies in management positions?
There are such a lot of, however the principle two advantages that come to thoughts are improved organizational efficiency and higher decision-making. Quite a few research reveal a optimistic correlation between gender variety on the govt stage and organizational efficiency. The inclusion of ladies in management roles enhances decision-making processes by including to the variety of the staff. This allows groups to think about a wide range of viewpoints, resulting in extra revolutionary and efficient options.
- Based mostly in your expertise, what recommendation do you have got for girls pursuing a profession within the media outreach and PR/PR Tech trade?
I’d advise anybody beginning their profession on this area to leverage the ability of social media by connecting with thought leaders that resonate with them to achieve insights and study from their experiences. I’d additionally encourage these beginning out to method these inside their community for mentorship alternatives. Many professionals are keen to share their experiences and supply steerage to these aspiring to develop their careers.
- What massive win for girls in PR do you hope to see in 2024?
In 2024, I’m hopeful to see greater adoption of firm insurance policies that actively promote equality and work-life steadiness throughout the trade. This contains initiatives reminiscent of versatile work preparations, parental depart insurance policies and mentorship applications that empower ladies. I aspire to see the PR trade make strides in closing the pay disparity hole for girls, which is important for creating an trade that values and rewards expertise, no matter gender.
Erica Watson (Director, Account Administration)
- Which ladies encourage you probably the most?
I’m lucky to have loads of robust ladies in my household and life. My grandmothers taught me invaluable classes, one as a instructor commanding a room of scholars, whereas the opposite would spend hours knitting and cooking to make sure everybody was completely satisfied. Most significantly, they’ve all the time made me consider I may very well be something I needed–which is extremely vital for younger ladies. Rising up, it confirmed me how wanted and adaptable ladies are and that there’s a main place for them in each side of life.
- What affect do you try to have on ladies in your organization and the broader trade?
Greater than something, I need folks to know that I’ll assist in any method I can. I feel it’s important to be open and trustworthy. For my staff, I need them to know I’ll assist them all through their journey and be a sounding board. This doesn’t all the time imply we’ll align, however I need them to really feel supported sufficient to return to me with an concept, one thing they could want, and many others. Concepts and suggestions are all the time welcome.
- What are the advantages of getting ladies in management positions?
Ladies carry a unique dynamic as leaders—we are typically extra empathetic. This permits us to speak in a unique type and have extra open traces of communication with teammates. Many feminine leaders additionally juggle being caretakers. This implies being able to multitask and manage is vital to our roles inside and outdoors of labor.
Celebrating IWD, notably #InspireInclusion, acknowledges the significance of variety and inclusivity in all spheres of life. We’re proud to focus on some distinctive ladies in our staff who embody innovation, management and excellence.
Their helpful insights contribute to our success and function a beacon of inspiration for girls within the PR trade. Transferring ahead, let’s proceed championing inclusivity and supporting measures to enhance variety, equality and alternative no matter gender.
