Accelerating Action: Key Takeaways from the International Women’s Day POM Café
On March 7, Women in Payments had the privilege of hosting a special International Women’s Day POM Café featuring two trailblazing leaders: Rania Llewellyn, former CEO of Laurentian Bank, and Kristy Duncan, Founder & CEO of Women in Payments. The discussion spanned 21+ countries and 100+ organizations, reinforcing one undeniable truth: gender equity is a global priority, and we cannot afford to slow down.
Why We Need to Accelerate Action
The data is clear: when women lead, businesses thrive. Companies with more women in leadership generate higher ROI, drive more innovation, and rank among the top organizations globally. Yet, despite this progress, systemic barriers persist.
As Rania put it, “Now is the time to stand up, speak up, and show up.” Creating an inclusive environment isn’t about exclusion; it’s about ensuring equal opportunities for all. From hiring practices to leadership representation, every action we take must be intentional. The momentum is strong, but the work is far from over.
Breaking Barriers for Women Leaders
The path to leadership looks different depending on where you stand—as an employee, a manager, or a senior leader. The key? Intentional inclusion.
Diversity isn’t just about gender. It encompasses thought, education, socioeconomic background, and values. Leaders must actively build teams that reflect this diversity, even when it requires extra effort. “It’s easier to build homogeneous teams that think the same way,” Rania acknowledged. “But true innovation happens when you invite different perspectives to the table.”
Creating an inclusive culture means adapting leadership styles to accommodate different communication preferences, recognizing diverse contributions, and providing equitable growth opportunities. It requires work, but the results are worth it.
Policies, Culture, and Sponsorship: The Three Pillars of Change
As Kristy highlighted, building inclusive workplaces requires a three-legged approach:
It’s not just about hiring diverse talent but ensuring they have the sponsorship, development opportunities, and support systems to succeed.
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Retaining and Advancing Women in Leadership
One of the greatest challenges in achieving gender equity is retention. “We see a lot of women leaving middle management roles post-COVID,” Kristy noted. If we don’t address this, we risk losing our pipeline for future leadership.
Practical solutions include implementing robust parental leave policies (and encouraging men to take them), flexible work arrangements, and clear sponsorship pathways. “The best sponsors I had were men,” Rania shared. “They explained the unspoken rules of leadership and advocated for me when I wasn’t in the room.”
Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellbeing
Sustaining leadership journeys means taking care of mental health. The pandemic amplified the importance of well-being, making it a business priority, not just an individual concern. “Your calendar is an autobiography of your priorities,” Rania emphasized. Leaders must be deliberate about setting boundaries, recognizing burnout, and fostering a culture where well-being is valued.
Kristy echoed this sentiment with her personal framework—her five F’s: Family, Friends, Fitness, Fun, and Food. Self-care isn’t optional; it’s essential to sustaining long-term success.
The Path Forward: Holding Each Other Accountable
Women supporting women is crucial. While progress has been made, there’s still work to do. True advocacy goes beyond words—it’s about actions.
Kristy emphasized that we “want to take calculated risks because at the end of the day, it's not the things that we did and failed at that we regret, it’s the things that we didn't attempt and the opportunities that we didn't pursue.”
Looking Ahead: Beyond Limits Leadership Program
As part of Women in Payments' commitment to accelerating gender equity, we’re launching Beyond Limits: Unlocking Your Leadership Power, an exclusive executive leadership program designed and delivered by Rania Llewellyn, former President and CEO of Laurentian Bank. Tailored for VP level and above, this program is ideal for senior professionals aspiring to reach the C-suite or further enhance their leadership capabilities. Registration closes on March 14, 2025 and spots are limited. Transform your leadership by signing up today!