Celebrating Inclusion and Leadership with Miki Edelman during Women's History Month

In an era where the drive towards equality and inclusion gains momentum, the narrative around Women's History Month has evolved to not only celebrate past achievements but also to lay the groundwork for future strides. This year, under the International Women's Day 2024 campaign theme "Inspire Inclusion," we're reminded of the profound impact of inspiring both the understanding and value of women's inclusion. It's about creating a world where women feel a profound sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. Miki Edelman , Senior Managing Director at Macquarie Capital and former Advisory Board Chair at Visible Alpha, brought this theme to life during a fireside chat hosted by Visible Alpha in honor of International Women’s Day.

With an impressive global footprint, Miki shared insights into how she has navigated her career path while fostering an inclusive environment. Her candid reflections during the Q&A session offered actionable wisdom on career growth, leadership, and embodying the essence of inspiring inclusion—echoing the IWD 2024 theme.

One of Miki's compelling strategies for inspiring inclusion involves what she describes as removing the "broken chair" from the room. This act ensures that everyone—regardless of background—has an equitable place at the table. Stemming from a workshop that highlighted the propensity of women and women of color to accept lesser conditions just to be included, Miki has taken this lesson to heart,

"...whenever I see the broken chair in the room I remove it so that everyone there is sitting at the table together…".

By ensuring equal footing for all, she advocates for fairness in recognition, opportunity, and respect across the workplace. By addressing such biases, we move closer to the IWD's vision of forging a world where inclusion is not just an ideal but a reality.

Miki firmly believes that diversity and inclusion should transcend organizational directives to become embedded in the culture, driven by empathy and deliberate leadership. Reflecting on pivotal moments in her career, Miki focused on her own experiences of learning and adaptation. Her commitment to understanding others' perspectives and being generous with her insights has been crucial in bridging cultural and experiential divides. This journey towards a more collaborative and inclusive leadership style has not only propelled her career forward but has also deepened her relationships with her team --fostering a nurturing environment conducive to open expression and mutual growth.

It's imperative to acknowledge the unique hurdles women face in the workplace, particularly when it comes to accessing opportunities that are not immediately visible and addressing the barriers that hinder career progression. In the study, “'Potential' and the Gender Promotion Gap,” MIT Sloan Associate Professor Danielle Li uncovers a critical factor contributing to the gender promotion gap. Despite women outperforming their male colleagues and exhibiting lower quit rates, they are significantly less likely to be promoted. Li's research highlights a concerning disparity: female employees are, on average, 14% less likely to be promoted than their male counterparts.

This disparity underscores the necessity of a proactive stance in navigating one's professional journey, a strategy heartily endorsed by Miki Edelman. Her personal stories consistently highlight a central theme: opportunities arise from taking initiative and boldly addressing unmet needs. Miki also encourages others to be open to feedback and be self aware, noting,

“the lesson is just be aware of those conversations about you and be open to pivoting as you need to.”

This forward-thinking mindset has steered her through diverse leadership roles worldwide, demonstrating the efficacy of self-advocacy and determination in forging new paths for growth and impact.

As we commemorate Women's History Month and look to the future, Miki Edelman's journey offers a blueprint for navigating and influencing the professional landscape. As we consider our roles in shaping inclusive spaces, let Miki's story inspire us to advocate for ourselves and others, recognizing that every action taken towards inclusion enriches the tapestry of our collective professional endeavors.