Celebrating International Women’s Day 2022

International Women’s Day (IWD) occurs annually on March 8^th. It celebrates women’s worldwide impact by highlighting their extraordinary cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements. Since 1911, the annual celebration has been an opportunity to reflect on progress, bring awareness, and forge women’s equality.

The organizers of International Women’s Day (IWD) have announced the theme for 2022 is Break The Bias as “bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead.” Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough. Action is needed to level the playing field.” Everyone is encouraged to support IWD in any way they can. Whether it’s leading an event, donating to a female-focused charity, or posting on social media using the #BreakTheBias hashtag – there are many ways to celebrate the holiday.

At Consilio, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to highlight our employee’s unique skillsets, backgrounds, and accomplishments. We continuously strive to build a diverse and equal community that fosters our employees’ professional and personal growth, exemplified through our Diversity & Inclusion commitment and Women in Technology blog series. Our annual International Women’s Day campaign is another way we strive to raise visibility and help forge positive change for women.

We have continued that effort and have spoken with several of our employees worldwide about what International Women’s Day means to them. We have included their answers below:

Shana Laster
Talent Manager, Atlanta

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is both a day of reflection and celebration of the power of women! We celebrate the vast scope of past achievements women have made socially and politically. However, it’s also a time to reflect upon, acknowledge, and rally for causes that still require our attention, like leveling out disparities that continue to exist for women and intersect across race, class, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
Be confident. Believe in yourself. We hear these pieces of advice so much that they tend to sound like clichés. But the truth is, both are fundamentally critical. It doesn’t matter if someone else believes in you if you don’t believe in yourself. Trust yourself and know that you are more than enough.

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Lauren Hause
Director, Kansas City

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a great reminder to acknowledge women who have made a difference locally and globally. As I look within my circle, I appreciate the unique power of women surrounding me. They are a constant inspiration to be an advocate for myself and others. IWD acknowledges that annually all over the world.

How do you think Consilio champions women in the workplace?
As a recently hired employee at Consilio, it has been refreshing to see the “community” of women that have been so incredibly helpful and supportive of me. While culture is not tangible, it is most certainly felt through the actions and words of others. Examples for me have been the ability to share different ideas and opinions, a willingness to address a situation from a different viewpoint or process, and the respect of my peers despite only being a part of the team for four months.

How do you feel valued in your role at Consilio?
Since day one, the level of respect I have felt has already created a foundation for success in the company. Inclusion and transparency at the outset are incredibly appreciated. It surprisingly takes very little for a company to demonstrate how employees are valued and for that feeling to impact the work those individuals perform on a daily basis. I feel that here. Thank you.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
My advice is truly a combination of things. Number one, take care of each other. Allow grace and humility in all roles and at all levels of your organization. Also, fear is not always a bad thing. Through mistakes comes growth. Finally, trust but verify because you are your own best advocate.

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Amanda Bodnar
Client Success Manager, Boston

How do you think Consilio champions women in the workplace?
During my nine years with Consilio, I have had the opportunity to work with many inspiring women. This includes both women within our organization and our clients. Their examples of strength and agility remind me that we are most successful with collaboration. Consilio champions women in the workplace by fostering that collaboration, giving women seats at the tables where the decisions are made, and the hard work happens. People and collaboration are not just paid lip-service but are literal pillars on the foundation of our True North values.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
Throughout nearly 16 years in our industry, with personal and professional challenges and successes, I’ve learned that we must show up as our whole selves. Brené Brown reminds us to “Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.” As women especially, I feel it is important to always have confidence that your background and skills developed and practiced outside of work are transferable and valuable. You can, and should, take ALL your abilities and honed strengths into the workforce. I have a service industry background, from hosting to waiting tables and bartending. Those years in high school, throughout and after college were not wasted or just cash-in-hand but a time where I developed relationship-building, teamworking, multitasking, cool-under-pressure, deadline-driven, customer service skills that are useful daily in my professional life. Ask yourself, how can I embrace who I already am instead of trying to be what I think I’m supposed to be?

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Karola Hutterer
Project Manager, Paris

How do you feel valued in your role at Consilio?
I work with Consilio’s German PM team. What I love about working with them is that they provide a completely neutral space for me. A space where I don’t have to deal with or be subjected to any form of discrimination, bias, sexism, or cringe-worthy moments whatsoever. It’s a safe space where I can be just exactly who I am and that allows me to grow, personally as well as professionally, without having to account for or accommodate behaviours or mentalities working against me. It’s a really refreshing and great experience. All of my team members are just really kind and unique human beings and I enjoy working with them a lot.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
Take up as much space as you possibly can: Be present, be vocal about your ideas, ask a lot of questions, ask for that raise, ask for help and for what you need – not as a last resource but as soon as you need it. Stand up for what’s important to you. Put people first and be kind – most importantly, to yourself.

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Casey Collins
Director, Atlanta

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day to me is a time to celebrate and reflect on the determination and courage of the women in my own life. I am lucky enough to know women who pushed through hard times, fought for what they believed in, and showed strength when many would have crumbled. It’s about celebrating the women who work every day to make the little differences, improving the world for the next generation of women. It is showing my three daughters that women can accomplish anything, in school, in life, and in their careers. It demonstrates that they get to create their path and control their destination. Additionally, being a kind, hardworking, and determined woman will open up endless possibilities. International Women’s Day reminds me just how lucky I am to have the wonderful women in my life who have mentored me, not only in my career but who have also been an integral part of my life.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
Entering the workforce can seem daunting or scary, but women should remember that they are skilled and determined. Each woman has their unique skillset and perspective, and bringing those to light can create some of the best collaborative working environments. The best way to tackle a project is to evaluate it from all sides and perspectives. Brainstorming works as small thoughts can become big ideas.

I would encourage young women to be proactive and engaged. Be eager to learn and accept criticism to help you develop into your career. Remember that innovation is everywhere, and it is a skill to find different and more effective ways to accomplish your job. Finally, and maybe most importantly, I advise women to find a mentor or colleague to bounce ideas off and discuss their career path. Having someone in your corner can contribute greatly to your success. I have been lucky to have some of the best female mentors who have helped me grow and have pushed me in the direction of my dreams.

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Apurva Ingolikar
Team Lead Operations

What does international women’s day mean to you?
International Women’s Day for me is an occasion to appreciate the Women’s accomplishments and recognize their contributions in social, economic, cultural, and political domains. Besides, IWD is a great day to flourish Women’s health, safety, equality and spread awareness across the globe. For me IWD is a moment where a woman can admire herself, also know her self-worth and take some time to appreciate themselves. This global celebration should truly bring a positive difference in a woman’s life and recognize her challenges which will help her grow in every way possible. In fact, I would say every day is international women’s day. I would define women as power. Power which can self-sustain, create a life, if required destroy and is the most selfless being on earth. Empower women and see what wonders they create.

How do you think Consilio champions women in the workplace?
The greatest quality at Consilio which makes me a champion is that the voice of a female employee is heard. The ideas I possess are always heard across the table which makes me more confident. By this I can say that Consilio has no gender discrimination which helped me to reach this way long in my career.

How do you feel valued in your role at Consilio?
I feel more valued, and I display more motivation in the workplace because I understand my exact role in the organization. This helps me to understand how my efforts play a part in something much bigger in the organization, I feel more valued because of my leaders and the work-life-balance this organization provides. I also feel valued as the recognition/appreciation programs are quite often celebrated which helps to boost me. in fact, everyone’s confidence. My leadership always motivates me to gain great learning opportunities to grow within my professional career.

What advice would you give to young women entering today’s workforce?
“Always choose yourself and never feel guilty about it” – I moved to Pune at the age of 24~25, growing up in a society where men are taught to invest in their future while women are conditioned to invest everything in the men in their lives. Choosing myself & investing in my own growth was liberating. People told me, this is my age to get married and settle down. They told me marriage is the right next step. But it did not feel right for me. I chose to go with what I believe in because I want to learn & explore more. In your life you choose your next step, we can’t be certain of the outcomes of our decisions always. We can only make ourselves capable of overcoming whatever consequences will be & I did exactly that. I’m proud of myself and every woman who is hustling to build herself up. By defying all the odds, fighting all the guilt. May our tribe grow because we have no idea how impactful life & conduct is in inspiring women to choose themselves first. She should prioritize her identity, persona which will make her confident enough to conquer all the roles like mother, wife, daughter, professional, etc. she is in.

Adding to this, young working women should keep a “Never to give up” attitude that will help them gain tons of opportunities. They should be eager to learn more and learn to accept criticism which will make them stronger to come up with flying colors in their career.