Lincolnshire Chamber celebrates International Women’s Day 2021

Who are you and what do you do?

Caroline Killeavy: I am the Chief Executive at YMCA Lincolnshire. I joined YMCA Lincolnshire 3 years ago, and my role is to watch out for the needs of people from “cradle to grave” – offering babies, families, young people and ageing communities a helping hand when they need it.

Iwona Lebiedowicz: I am the founder of the award-winning PAB Languages. The company provides a range of multilingual content services including translation, transcreation and localisation, with a network of in-country professional linguists, serving global clients in their chosen markets.

Jacqui Adams: I am the owner of Tick HR Solutions; we support small businesses with all elements of employing people. It is my mission to ensure that all employers, regardless of size, have access to good HR support and can realise the benefit it can bring to their organisation.

Nicola Langton: I am the Head of Business Support at The EBP. I am an accountant by trade and my role incorporates a range of activities that strategically support The EBP including leading on its finance function. I have worked in a wide diversity of organisations, in a variety of industry sectors and sizes of organisation. Alongside this I also volunteer as a non-executive Director at the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and think it is important that we contribute to our local strategic networks if we can.

Why do you think gender equality is important not just for women, but for everyone in and outside of the workplace?

Caroline: Equality is establishing a level playing field for all – everyone is provided with a platform to excel. When equality of opportunity is achieved everyone benefits – you achieve more as a team when the people around you are free to do their thing well.

Iwona: United Nations defines gender equality as not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Equality is extremely important; I have experienced many challenges that other young migrant female business owners may be familiar with.

Especially in my early years in business, I faced many tough challenges, which resulted in many personal doubts and insecurities. It took me many sleepless nights, gritting of teeth and asking for help, as well as hard work, discipline, and resilience to stand strong protecting my values and self-worth as a businesswoman.

Jacqui: Equality is paramount for us all to live in a better world, no-one should be treated any different because of their gender, race, age, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs. It amazes me that discrimination still occurs in this day and age. Luckily, I am in a profession where I can educate employers, implement policy and process to make a real difference.

Nicola: Numerous studies point to the fact that we are not yet working within an equal society. Yet, gender equality brings benefits to the whole of society and to business with studies showing it leads to a more cohesive society with increased wellbeing for all genders. Within the workplace, there is a lot of empirical evidence to demonstrate that the highest performing teams are those that have a mix of gender. It makes good business sense, as well as being the right thing to do – to ensure gender equality in the workplace.

What do you think can be done differently or more of to influence behavioural change and raise awareness of gender equality?

Caroline: We need to talk more openly when we make mistakes or get things wrong and listen to those with lived experience. It is natural to feel uncomfortable, defensive, or ill equipped when we are faced with choices about matters that we don’t have personal experience in – in those cases we should ASK those people who do – and listen.

Iwona: At PAB Languages we believe that great things happen with true collaboration between people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, countries, and cultures.

I think we need to encourage discussions and be more proactive in teaching each other how to effectively and from the heart make others feel equally respected and valued, regardless of their gender, language, location, or culture.

Jacqui: My mantra is ‘Treat everyone in the same way in which you like to be treated.’ If we all acted in this way, there would be no room for discrimination. I believe that we are all equal but do understand that we have different strengths and weaknesses. We should play to our strengths and worry less about weaknesses. Women can be quick to pull each other down when we should be celebrating each other’s successes and supporting each other along the way.

Nicola: We need more women to step forward on to Boards, into leadership roles and on to platforms where our voice and perspectives can be heard. Women do not always have the same level of confidence as men – some women wait until they are 120% ready for a leadership role before applying, whereas many men will try for that promotion when they are only 50% ready! Confidence is key.

I would encourage women to be confident in their own abilities and give things a go! If you are not confident then you can seek out a mentor, there are lots of networks in Lincolnshire to help with this and lots of willing female leaders ready to lend a hand.

Who is your female role model and why?

Caroline: I’m a member of the Greater Lincolnshire’s Outstanding Women network (GLOW).  It is those women who I’m constantly in awe of – real, hardworking, experienced, talented, creative, passionate, human, sensitive, driven, outcome focussed people! They inspire me every day and make me proud to be a woman in Lincolnshire.

Iwona: The most influential women in my life are equality my Mum Joanna, and my Grandmothers, Emilia and Monica. Looking back, they influenced many decisions and encouraged me and my sister to dream big. As very well-rounded women, they continue to inspire and motivate me with their extremely high work ethic, self- esteem, and dedication to achieve bigger goals.

Jacqui: Margaret Thatcher stands out for me growing up. Regardless of what side of the political fence you reside, you can’t ignore the fact that she was a very strong woman and believed in herself and her work. She was also a wife and a mother and this where you could see her vulnerabilities. It’s okay to show our vulnerable side as this is what makes us human and people relate more.

Nicola: I have had a few female roles models throughout my career, those that have inspired me to push for and achieve my goals. At the moment, there is a young woman who has shone an international light on the capability, talent and potential of the younger generation and that is Amanda Gorman who delivered such an inspiring poem at President Biden’s inauguration earlier this year.

Is there anything you would like to share around the theme of #ChooseToChallenge?

Caroline: This year I’ve been giving a lot of thought to unconscious bias – bias I might hold without even realising, due to the education, upbringing or environment I’ve experienced.  Being conscious of my own unconscious bias helps me correct my behaviour and make different choices – better choices. When we all open to the thought that we may have got something wrong, we will make progress with equality.

Iwona: Everyone is unique, and everyone’s voice has value. We need to use our voices on every available platform to encourage others to always act with kindness and integrity, to create a welcoming and supportive society by promoting fairness and gender equality.

Jacqui: A quote comes to mind: “People may not remember what you said but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

Nicola: “Like anything learned, bravery needs to be practiced.” – Caroline Paul

“Gender parity is not just good for women – it is good for societies.” – Angelica Fuentes

To find out more about International Women’s Day and what you can do to #ChooseToChallenge, visit the website: www.internationalwomensday.com