Celebrating International Women's Day 2025

We celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) by reflecting on this year’s theme of #AccelerateAction. This campaign speaks to the universal need to drive gender equality and eliminate stereotypes, discrimination, and biases toward women across the globe. By lifting women up academically and professionally, we play a key role in inspiring a world in which women aren’t simply equal, but valued, celebrated and able to successfully forge ahead.

At Consilio, we are fully committed to gender parity initiatives to foster a more equitable and diverse workforce, thereby leveling the playing field for women in the legal and LegalTech spaces. With a deep focus on our employees’ professional growth, we have put forth the WE-Together Affinity Group, our Women in Technology blog series, and WE Together India, as part of our commitment to women’s empowerment, by fostering an environment that invests in and strengthens women-led movements.

As part of our own efforts to accelerate action to uplift women for IWD and every day, we’ve also spoken to several of our employees to learn what this day means to them. We have included their answers below:

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Sharon Pidakala
Manager, Client Solutions and People & Development
Singapore

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a celebration of progress, resilience, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of women. As the youngest team member at LOD Singapore, I see firsthand how important it is to have workplaces that encourage growth, challenge biases, and empower women to take on leadership roles. It’s also a reminder of the work still to be done—through my role on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee, I strive to ensure that opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of background, and that young women like me feel seen, heard, and supported in their careers.

How do you feel valued in your role at Consilio?
I feel valued through the trust, recognition, and growth opportunities I’ve been given. Stepping up to cover for the People & Development function in Dubai and expanding my role to include both People & Development and Client Solutions is a testament to how LOD / Consilio truly invests in potential. Rather than being limited by age or tenure, I’ve been encouraged to take on new challenges, push my capabilities, and contribute in meaningful ways.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
Put your hand up for opportunities—even the ones that feel intimidating. Some of my biggest career milestones happened because I stepped outside my comfort zone, whether it was leading People & Development for a new region or expanding my role into Client Solutions. Each time I’ve said yes to a tough challenge, I’ve discovered new strengths, built confidence, and proven to myself what I’m capable of. Growth doesn’t come from waiting until you feel ready—it comes from stepping up and rising to the occasion.

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Isabel Frassato
Legal Services Consultant
Nashville, TN

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women's Day is a powerful reminder of the progress we've made and the work we as women do every single day. It's a day to celebrate all of the women trailblazing and innovating in the legal industry and across all industries. As a woman who is early in her career, I look up to the women leaders in Consilio and admire their work ethic, tenacity, and their ability to balance their work and personal lives. Thank you to all of the wonderful women who make Consilio successful every single day.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
I would tell young women entering today's workforce to believe in themselves and stay true to their values and what is important to them. As women, we tend to second-guess ourselves or believe that someone else is smarter or more equipped to handle a situation. I would tell young women that you are smart and capable of much more than you realize. They also bring fresh perspectives to situations that others are not always thinking about. Trust your intuition and rely on the strong work ethic that you are made of.

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Sarah Podella
Product Marketing Manager
Chicago, Illinois

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a day I look forward to every year! It’s an opportunity to celebrate the incredible contributions of women and hear inspiring stories—especially from those around me. It’s also a time to acknowledge and uplift the women who have shaped us—whether they’ve mentored, supported, or loved us. Most importantly, it’s a reminder to continue advocating for future generations so they see a world where women are valued, empowered, and celebrated.

How do you think Consilio champions women in the workplace?
The easy answer is through all our dedicated Affinity Groups and mentorship programs, but what really stands out most to me is Consilio’s culture. There is a genuine commitment here to empower women at every level. A mentor once told me that you can gauge how much a company values women by looking around the room in any given meeting. At Consilio, I’ve never been in a meeting where women weren’t well-represented across all levels of leadership. That speaks volumes.

How do you feel valued in your role at Consilio?
I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a team that recognizes and appreciates hard work. I’m surrounded by thoughtful, brilliant colleagues who push me to grow, and I’ve always felt that my contributions are seen and rewarded. The opportunities I’ve been given are not just about career progression, but about meaningful personal and professional development.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
Navigating the corporate world as a young woman comes with an inevitable learning curve—figuring out how to advocate for yourself professionally while staying true to who you are. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that your first few managers will have a huge impact on your career. When interviewing, don’t just focus on making a good impression with them—ask questions to make sure they’re the right fit for you too. The right leaders will recognize your strengths, help you grow faster, go farther, and enjoy the journey.

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Chrizelda Louw
HR Administrator
Cape Town, South Africa

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
For me, it means that we, as women, can celebrate our achievements, call for gender equality, and remember the fight for women's rights. It is a day of unity, where women across the world come together to support and uplift one another. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of appreciation and acknowledgment in many societies for the impact women have made and continue to make. International Women's Day is a reminder of the progress we've achieved and the work that still needs to be done.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
Have confidence! I encourage women to step up and believe in their abilities. We work just as hard as our male colleagues and can handle the same challenges. Be independent, yet a team player. Believe in yourself! Don’t be afraid to try something new or different, and don’t give up when things don’t go as planned. Remember to be kind to yourself, learn from mistakes, stay focused on your goals, and remain determined. Success comes from perseverance, resilience, and self-belief! 💪✨

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Lisa Sheehy
Director - Legal AU
Sydney, Australia

How do you think Consilio champions women in the workplace?
I value being able to be myself in the Consilio workplace and to have flexibility in the way I work, enabling success and fulfillment in all aspects of my life. Those aims are not exclusive to women, but as a woman, finding a workplace that enables authenticity and genuine flexibility is highly appreciated.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
Success means different things to different people. See if you can figure out what success looks like to you - it will help you to make good career choices.  Never say no to an opportunity - you've got this! If not, you'll learn. Be brave in offering your view as well as being open to feedback. If something was your idea, claim it, even if someone else builds on it.  Be observant, help others and most importantly be yourself.

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Lee Holcomb
Director ELS-Structured Teams Delivery
Boise, Idaho

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Living in India, I was deeply impressed by the vibrant International Women's Day celebrations in my office. Witnessing a country with a history of female leadership, including a female Prime Minister (Indira Gandhi) and a female President (Pratibha Pail) during my time there, was inspiring. To me, International Women's Day should be a powerful celebration of women's achievements and contributions worldwide.

How do you think Consilio champions women in the workplace?
Consilio and our leadership team foster a work environment where women are encouraged to seek advancement and recognition for their talents. This commitment is reflected in our mentorship programs and leadership opportunities.

How do you feel valued in your role at Consilio?
Consilio has increasingly invested in my professional development and given me the opportunity to advance my career and the careers of my team. By empowering me to lead and tackle new challenges, I feel truly appreciated and capable.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
In today’s world of uncertainty around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), there is an opportunity for growth. Embrace these moments to distinguish yourself, let your courage lead the way, and allow the quality of your work to be your voice.

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Natalie Steadman
Head of People & Development
London, UK

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women's Day means a lot to me as a working mum of two in a busy management role. It’s a reminder of the challenges that come with balancing a career, family and personal life, and the strength and determination it takes to manage all of these. The day highlights how far we've come in terms of gender equality, but also the work that still lies ahead. It's an opportunity to recognise the women who have paved the way and to push for more opportunities for women to thrive in both their personal and professional lives without feeling like they have to choose.

How do you think Consilio champions women in the workplace?
At LOD, I feel there is a strong commitment to championing women in the workplace. There are many women in leadership and management roles and I have the pleasure of working with a team of strong and extremely hard working women, which fosters an environment where female voices, ideas and perspectives are valued and respected. This inclusive culture has empowered me to elevate my career while navigating the challenges that come with being a busy mum. I’ve been supported with flexible working arrangements and a strong network of women who have been where I am now. LODs dedication to creating a balanced, supportive environment has made it possible for me to grow professionally without compromising my role as a mother.

How do you feel valued in your role at Consilio?
This makes me feel truly valued and supported. Knowing that LOD not only promotes women into leadership roles but also understands the challenges of balancing career and family makes me feel recognised for both my professional and personal commitments. The flexibility and support I’ve received empower me to continue pushing forward in my career without feeling torn between my work and my responsibilities as a mother. It gives me a sense of belonging and confidence, knowing that the LOD believes in my potential and supports my career growth.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
My advice for younger women entering the workplace would be to embrace your strengths and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. It’s important to recognise that your voice matters, and don’t shy away from speaking up and seeking opportunities for growth. Surround yourself with a strong support network, whether it’s mentors, colleagues, or friends who understand your journey. Remember, there will always be challenges, especially when you are juggling work and personal commitments and it can be easy to fall into the thinking that you have to do it all, but remember not to be too hard on yourself!