International Women's Day Reflections: Why Investing in Women (and Ourselves) Matters

Sydney is always abuzz with energy, and this week, for me, it felt even more electric.

I attended an incredible event all about women-led start-ups (yay!), where I had the chance to connect with the brilliant minds behind women-powered businesses. What a great reminder of the incredible things that happen when we believe in women's vision!

I also met with a bustling network of clients and was getting ready to sponsor a local International Women's Day celebration, which is always a highlight.

Yes, my heart was full!

But alongside this beautiful hustle and bustle, I remembered something. I'd like to share this story as a reminder that our journeys aren't always linear, but mostly because stories are how we make real change happen.

Years ago, right before I was about to start maternity leave (one of the most joyful times!), I got a serious career gut-punch. Apparently, pregnancy wasn't seen as compatible with ambition. I learned I was passed over for a leadership program because of my leave.

Did it sting? Big time! And to be honest, it still stings a bit now.

Did it derail me? Not a chance!

I share this story not to dwell on the past but to highlight that this kind of bias shouldn't be a woman's "normal" in the workplace. Such setbacks should not happen. But if they do, let them make us more determined, reminding everyone why the work of championing women matters so much. Motherhood and ambition? They absolutely go hand-in-hand.

My story isn't a sob story because look at everything amazing that's come since!

I'm so grateful for the doors that have opened and the people who've pushed me to walk through them. The truth is, success isn't just about funding and board seats (though those are important!). It's also about the people who lift us.

It is why I'm obsessed with giving back: empowering and investing in women with big ideas, supporting charities that make a profound difference in the lives of women and children, like Ronald McDonald House, and fuelling up with my crew at Collabor8women, where incredible women connect and build each other up.

I'm so grateful for the simple joys, too—a fantastic Sydney meal, solo time to recharge, and coffee with the friends who've been there for years and who always make me see my potential.

Supporting women in business is about investing in the whole person.

It means challenging those outdated ideas about who "fits" in leadership. And it means celebrating the full spectrum of our lives—the ambitions, the motherhood journeys, and the friendships that sustain us. It isn't just about women supporting women; it's about a whole community saying, "We believe in you." That's what keeps the fire burning.

So, as International Women's Day rolls around, let's get real:

Back to the women-led businesses that spark your imagination.

Champion motherhood in the workplace – it isn't a career detour; it's a sign of a powerhouse multi-tasker.

Be the mentor you wish you'd had – mentorship isn't a favour; it's how we all rise together.

Say 'yes' to those moments of fun and rejuvenation. They're not frivolous; they're fuel.

Surround yourself with a squad – women AND men – who cheer you on through the wins and the bumps.

A woman who feels championed, believed in and has a little fun along the way—let me tell you—she's unstoppable.