Marching Forward: Reflections on our International Women’s Day Brunch
On March 6th, we gathered with our colleagues for a morning of conversation and connection to celebrate the upcoming International Women’s Day. The event provided a welcoming space for individuals of all genders to engage in meaningful discussions about empowerment, resilience, and the challenges faced by women and gender-diverse people in the workplace.
Hosted by our Beverage Director, Leanne Altmann, the morning’s discussion centred around this year’s theme, March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls, a call to action for equality in power and opportunity. The lively conversation was mediated in a relaxed Q&A format with speakers Trader House Development Chef, Jacqui Challinor and entrepreneur and investor Janey Martino. Jacqui and Janey shared their personal and professional experiences on building resilience, the power of connections and how diverse teams can make for a better workplace for all.
Jacqui addressed the barriers that women continue to face in the field. She spoke candidly on the importance of personal challenges leading to professional growth. A question she continually asks herself is “How do you know you’re not good enough unless you try?” She’s an advocate for setting boundaries between work and home, and fostering healthy habits to be at your best. It’s through the creation of space for oneself both in and away from work, that we’re able to centre our goals, aspirations and mental health, leading to better productivity and capacity for professional development.
While working in a completely different sector from Jacqui, Janey has experienced similar challenges in the workplace. She encouraged attendees to view challenges as opportunities, illustrating how obstacles at work can be stepping stones toward success. In fact, she sees failure as a ‘badge of honour’ leading to personal and professional growth. Alignment with mentors through difficult moments is crucial as their support can provide objectivity in times of emotional strain. This resilience means having the capacity to separate feelings from a situation, but also equipping ourselves with the knowledge to know when to speak up.
These perspectives sparked ideas on how we can further support each other and create meaningful opportunities for all. A key takeaway was the importance of effective communication across different levels of experience, ensuring that change is not only discussed but also implemented.
The goal now is to carry these discussions beyond the event and translate them into tangible actions that drive equality in power, opportunity, and representation. The hope is that these discussions will inspire lasting change, fostering a workplace where empowerment and success are accessible to all.
