QRRRWN - Queensland Rural Regional & Remote Women's Network’s Post

👭 Feeling isolated as a woman creating or running a business? It’s time to break free from that isolation and embrace the power of collaboration! 🔗 Pre-register for Board Women and join a community where accountability circles become your personal board of directors. I created Board Women to help you take action, hold you accountable, and celebrate every win—big or small. 🌱 Imagine the possibilities when you have a circle of women advocating for you, pushing you to be your best, and reminding you that being you is more than enough. Let’s create better results, together! 📅 Don’t wait—pre-register now and be part of something extraordinary. Together, we’re unstoppable! 💥 🔗 https://lnkd.in/epMaskMB #WomenInBusiness #Accountability #Support #BoardWomen #TakeAction #WomenEntrepreneurs #GrowthMindset

In 2016, Cynnie King, Rachel Fagnant-Fassler, and I were disappointed by the election results, and we decided to channel that energy into founding CFW Changing the Conversation. Our goal was to support women in business who, like us, saw how unspoken barriers kept them from reaching leadership positions. The mission of Changing the Conversation is simple: “An initiative devoted to advancing women in business, moving from identifying the issues to asking what we can do to solve them—both in terms of our own careers and in corporate and government policy.” At CFW Careers, we believe that helping women reach leadership roles benefits women across the socioeconomic spectrum by giving women independence and the power to make decisions that benefit all of us. Now, in 2024, many of us are once again disappointed by the outcome of an election—facing the possibility of losing access to healthcare, and wondering how a message of division triumphed over one of unity. We also know that we must include all voices in the conversation even when we disagree; otherwise we risk losing the rights and freedoms we all enjoy. At CFW Careers, we’ll keep championing women—helping them find high-paying roles, supporting their growth through coaching, and fostering connections in communities and ERGs that help women build the networks and skills they need to thrive. At a personal level, we’ll continue our commitment to support the causes that matter most to us including small women-owned businesses, women entrepreneurs, and the non-profit organizations that help protect women’s rights (often sustained on a shoestring budget and an abundance of passion). We’ll be here for our friends of the firm, and if you have any ideas what type of programming you’d like to see from CFW Changing the Conversation in 2024, please reach out. As always, the answer is forward. In the end, there is more that unites us than divides us.

The business world moves quicker than we can think. Oftentimes—especially as women—we need to pause and take the time to celebrate our accomplishments. When we witness others in action, it can inspire us to innovate within our own spheres of influence, and even within ourselves. Here, we platform stories from various women leaders who’d made the effort to drive positive change and reflect on their outcomes. Read now:  https://lnkd.in/dNbatP7X #empowertogether #ccwomen #drivingchange

Are exclusive women’s groups and organizations doing more bad than good? I remember when there was a major backlash against Chief last year. Women started questioning their mission, whether it was diverse and inclusive enough, and what value were they ultimately receiving for their membership. Even Forbes wrote an article titled, “Private Women’s Membership Group, Chief, Is Being Called Out for White Feminism.” (See link below) So as you can imagine, some women left the group. Even as recently as last week, Lola Bakare posted the "acceptance" email she received from Chief calling out the elitist language used and how she felt it had elements of a white, old boys club. As many of you know, I dove head first into being involved in women’s groups over 15 years ago. I went from volunteering to leading to launching many initiatives, groups and organizations over the years with the intention of making change. However, a few months ago I started to question my own actions and made a hard pivot. What we have to ask ourselves are the following questions: Are we helping increase the number of women getting funding? Are we helping increase the number of women at the executive level in companies? Are we helping increase the number of women in venture capital? Are we helping increase the number of women in local government? Are we helping increase the number of women on executive boards? And the list goes on. By creating all these exclusive women’s groups, are we not just doing the same thing we complain men have done for years? Then what’s the point? I have been very intentional over the years by including men in my initiatives. They were on my panels, or were moderators, or even advisors. But I still felt I wasn’t making change. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of the work I’ve done and continue to do. With 40 Over 40 men are participating by nominating women in their network or in their companies, submitting video testimonials, and sponsoring and attending the event. Can we do more? Yes and we will. But with the changes that we need to make and should, if we’re not making strides toward it and truly being inclusive, I’m not sure what another exclusive women’s group is going to do? What are your thoughts on this? #robynsthoughts #womensgroups #exclusivity

A Call to Light the World for Women Dear Esteemed Leaders, This weekend, I experienced something that moved my soul—a meeting with Helen Winter, the visionary leader of 4 Voices, and her extraordinary team. I learned about the work they are doing to connect, heal, and empower women across our communities, and my heart was overcome with joy, respect, and gratitude. Their mission is simple yet profound: Connecting Women, Changing Lives. In a world where loneliness, fear, and disconnection can overshadow hope, 4 Voices shines as a beacon of light, creating spaces where women can find not only connection but also their voice, their strength, and their future. Helen and her team have taken the power of connection and transformed it into a lifeline: 🌟 Safe Spaces: Vans named Aurora, Hope, Snowflake, and Emmie traverse communities, offering warmth, a cuppa, and heartfelt conversations without judgment or red tape. They’re not just vehicles—they’re sanctuaries. 🌟 Digital Empowerment: Bridging the digital divide, they gift women the tools to reclaim their independence, whether through access to technology or guidance in navigating the digital world. 🌟 Employment Support: They Walk beside women chasing their dreams, whether it’s finding a job, building a career, or starting a business. 🌟 Community Connection: When life’s challenges feel overwhelming, they provide a bridge to resources, services, and emotional strength that remind women they’re never alone. This isn’t just charity—it’s a movement. A movement of compassion, resilience, and sisterhood. It’s women standing for women, creating ripples of change that will echo for generations. As the Director of Aussies Disability Services Pty Ltd, I am humbled and inspired to pledge my unwavering support for this cause. I believe in Helen’s vision, her unwavering commitment, and the lives she touches every day. Now, I call upon you—leaders, visionaries, changemakers—to join us in this incredible journey. Imagine the power we hold when we unite our hearts and resources for women who need us most. Together, we can: 1. Expand 4 Voices’ reach to more women in need. 2. Elevate their impact by collaborating on transformative programs. 3. Empower women to rise, rebuild, and reclaim their lives with dignity and purpose. This is more than support—it’s a statement. A declaration that every woman deserves to be heard, valued, and uplifted. Let us become the hands that hold, the voices that cheer, and the light that guides women toward a brighter tomorrow. Be part of this movement that transforms not just lives but the very fabric of our communities. Together, let’s make this the most profound, heartfelt chapter in the story of women helping women. With deepest respect and unwavering hope, Lucie Majaliwa Director, Aussies Disability Services Pty Ltd #ChangingLives #WomenSupportingWomen #4Voices #Empowerment #SafeSpaces #DigitalInclusion #HopeForWomen #StrongerTogether #DignityForAll #LightTheWay

The Harsh Truth About the Event Industry The event industry is predominantly made up of women who do most of the work to plan and organize events. But there's a big problem: Women don’t receive enough financial support to start their own event businesses. Few women hold top positions in major event companies. We need to change this 💪🏻 Let’s celebrate and uplift the women making waves in the event industry. Together, we can push for real change and ensure that all voices are heard and valued. #eventprofs #meetingsplanner #eventplanner #eventmanagement #womenintech #startuplife #funding #eventindustry #womeninbusiness #genderequality #diversityandinclusion #womenempowerment #womeninleadership #femaleentrepreneurs #conferenceconnect

Keep the pressure on! Women on boards are vital. As reported by The Broadsheet today The share of board appointments going to women has declined steadily since 2021, hitting a seven-year low in the first quarter of this year. According to a new report from the 50/50 Women on Boards Project, in the first three months of 2024, only 30.7% of board appointments across the Russell 3000 index belonged to women—the lowest share since 2017. Women currently hold only 29.7% of board seats across the Russell 3000, with women of color holding a mere 7.8%. Despite progress made over the past decade to diversify boards, there is still a significant gap to achieve parity. At Women Business Collaborative we track all board progress with Equilar for public boards and with some 30 women business organizations on public, private and equity boards. https://lnkd.in/eJ4BA9DW Heather Spilsbury, CEO of Women on Boards, highlights several reasons for the decline, including economic uncertainty, risk aversion during election years, and the lack of clear succession plans in some boards. Additionally, conservative legal efforts against corporate diversity and inclusion, along with the overturning of California's SB826, pose challenges to board diversity. The report also reveals that 41% of companies in the Russell 3000 still have boards with two or fewer women. Companies with less diverse boards were more likely to exit the Russell 3000 due to sales, mergers, or bankruptcies, with the financial services sector being the least diverse. To address this decline, companies must actively seek out and support women, especially women of color. Spilsbury emphasizes the need for broader societal and systemic changes to ensure equal opportunities for women to advance into leadership roles. #WomenOnBoards #DiversityInLeadership

2024 has been… something. But the ways CC women show up continue to amaze me, and make me proud and grateful to be who I am. Here’s what I’ve noticed among CC (co/vad-conscious) women in 2024. 1. We are isolated in many ways but we gather to remind us we are not alone. We gather to lean on and add to each other’s resilience. We find and create safe spaces, so we can lift ourselves and each other up as we navigate what feels like an impossible journey. 2. We lead from the heart. We know the one thing we have in common with each other is community care. We wear the universal symbol for community care. We walk our talk. 3. We help each other. Whether it’s our knowledge, a smile, a story, our skills, our time, or other ways to help, we are here for each other. That makes asking for help just a little bit easier, when most of us were taught that asking for help is a sign of weakness. We know the opposite is true and I see it every day. My Prediction for 2025: We are tired af. We know there is no end in sight of what’s going on, hidden in plain sight. We are doing the opposite of giving up. The intense pushback is evidence of our success. Based on what I see in the amazing CC women I work with, laugh with, play with and sigh and cry with, here’s what I see for 2025… More of those 3 foundational practices of showing up for ourselves and each other. We are getting stronger and stronger in our convictions and behaviours, even if sometimes we feel like giving up. The coolest thing I see for 2025 is an even stronger, more robust community, with more opportunities to collaborate with and support CC people, organizations and businesses. We are adaptable - but only to what we see is aligned with higher outcomes for all. So what do you think? What have you noticed in yourself or other CC women in 2024? What do you feel we will see in 2025? P.S. Want to gather in CC community? Come to our FREE Annual Winter Solstice Virtual Retreat TOMORROW for CC women. DM for details.

🚨𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬: 50/50 Women on Boards published their Q1’24 report, signaling an alarm on the backwards rate of progress in reaching gender parity on boards. 𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞, **2045** 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫—𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 2 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲! 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰? ➸Companies with less diverse boards are more likely to exit the Russell 3000 list due to factors such as sales, mergers, or bankruptcy. ➸Research by the London Business School confirms companies with more women on their boards have higher returns on equity, higher valuations, lower likelihood of shareholder dissent, and stronger boardroom relationships and collaboration. 𝐘𝐞𝐭… 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐒 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝. According to the report: ➸For the period ending March 31, 2024, 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 30.7% of the 587 new board positions were filled by women, the lowest since 2017. ➸Women hold only 29.7% of board seats in Russell 3000 companies. ➸Only 12% of the Russell 3000 has gender-balanced boards, totaling 354 companies, up by just one from Q4 2023. ➸Women and men of color together hold 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 19.4% of board seats. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨? ▷Highlight and share your expertise. ▷Request employer-funded programs for board readiness. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨? ▷Mentor and recommend women for board roles. ▷Ensure women and women of color are on board candidate lists. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐨? ▷Sponsor board readiness & training to women, including women of color. ▷Aim for a board with at least 3 women. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩 ♻Repost to bring awareness to your network 💡 React if this resonated with you 💬 Comment to share your thoughts #EqualityInLeadership #CHIEF #business #womeninbusiness #InclusiveBoardrooms GDI: First Quarter 2024 Key Findings - 50/50 Women on Boards (5050wob.com)

Empowered Women EMPOWER WOMEN! And if that's a vibe you can get behind, then you've gotta get in the room for a one-day Summit Event, presented by Dress for Success SW Florida. On September 18, participants are going to witness what's awesome and magical about the Women Empowered Through Employment Series (WETES) program. EXCEPT...Instead of having to go through a five-week program, participants will enjoy a one-day summit experience! The WETES Summit is no-cost for professional women living or working in Southwest Florida (Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties) and is perfect for those who: - Want to boost their professional confidence. - Need to be more decisive in their work environment. - Crave being able to command the room with their presence and communication skills. And, this isn't going to be a "let's-hear-from-speakers-all-day" event, either. Each "session" inside this Summit experience is designed to help you brainstorm plans to implement what you learn throughout the day. Participants will be surrounded by other women who want to see them shine. Ready to learn more about the WETES Summit Experience? Take a few moments to fill out the short form here https://bit.ly/wetessummit (or scan the QR code in the photo) and we'll get you the next steps to confirm your spot. P.S. We know your "shares" are valuable. We'd be so grateful for you to consider sharing this with a SWFL professional woman in your network.