The Key Elements of the Trailblazing Women Summit 2023??

The Annual Trailblazing Women Summit made history by taking centre stage in the vibrant city of London for the first time. The energy and enthusiasm at the summit were nothing short of epic. The event brought together a diverse and inclusive community of Trailblazers from all walks of life, united in their passion for driving change and making a difference. It was inspiring to witness so many remarkable individuals come together to share their stories. Delve into the highlights, lessons, and intriguing facts below ??

Panel 1: Redefining the C-suite

In a world where change is constant, waiting for the perfect moment becomes an illusion. One of the first takeaways from the first panel was the importance of taking action and not waiting for the perfect moment. It's time to break free from the mindset of waiting for external circumstances to align. Instead, let's embrace change as a constant force, seizing every opportunity to make a small yet meaningful difference.

During the panel, Anne Stagg , CEO at Merkle & dentsu , was asked how she handles adversity at the workplace, considering the time and hard work it took to reach her position. Anne's response struck a chord with many: Situational adversity can be worked around, but it's the challenges that arise in dealing with people-adversity that truly test us.?

Her approach is refreshingly simple yet effective - be polite, be present, and treat people as if they were difficult clients. Rather than working to prove ourselves, she encourages us to focus on building productive relationships based on respect and understanding.

Vanessa Kingori, OBE , at Condé Nast Britain & Vogue European Business Advisor, shared her experience as the first black woman to run British Vogue. She highlighted the importance of embracing disruption and being open to change. Instead of imitating previous successful individuals, Vanessa leaned on her feminine identity, bringing her unique perspective to the role. She wasn’t hesitant to challenge the status quo, engraved beliefs and practices.

Create your own path in your own way ??

Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE , Salesforce UK/I CEO (ZAHRAAAAA!!! ??????a brief fangirling moment here...) discussed her success over the years at global companies. She stressed the significance of supporting culture and identity within the workplace, promoting connectivity across teams, and enabling individuals to work in ways that suit them best. Zahra challenged the common misconception that mentorship and sponsorship are the same. According to her, mentorship is about sharing life values and support unconditionally, while sponsorship is about proving those who believed in our potential right by succeeding and helping others along the way. Both roles are essential, but it's crucial to have clear expectations for each in order to maximize their impact.

Throughout the panel, a common invite emerged: TAKE THE HARD PATH.

Embrace roles that may not initially seem attractive. It is in these challenging experiences that we can truly differentiate ourselves and grow.

And success should be crowned ?? Always??

As it’s been wisely stated, "Be braggy because you do your team a disservice when you don't."

Remember, cheering for yourself is essential for recognizing and celebrating your & your team’s accomplishments.

General Overview of Women in Tech by Anne Stagg:

Anne provided a general overview of the opportunities available for women in the tech industry, emphasizing that it's not limited to technical roles. There are various other positions and careers waiting to be explored. She also highlighted the significant barrier of a lack of confidence in digital skills, which disproportionately affects women. Anne herself wasn't initially tech-savvy but taught herself later on, proving that with determination and learning, one can overcome this barrier and make a significant difference.

Panel 2: Changing the Narrative

Now, let's dive into the exciting discussions of Panel 2, where we heard from remarkable women like Souad Boutegrabet Achiba , CEO at DesCodeuses , Luisa Fernandez , Associate Director of Marketing at Formula 1 , and Emilie Sidiqian , CEO at Salesforce France.?

The panel kicked off with a captivating question: "What drives you?"

Their answers revealed their deep passion for their respective industries and the infectious energy they gain from connecting with inspiring women every day ??

One standout voice was Souad Boutegrabet Achiba , a single mom with an immigrant background. She shared a powerful message that resonated with us all - the belief that anything is possible when you have the determination to pursue your dreams. Souad's journey serves as a living testament to the fact that we hold the power to create our own paths in life, regardless of our circumstances.

The discussion then turned to the crucial topic of inclusivity in hiring. The panel emphasized the importance of considering different individuals and backgrounds when building teams. They highlighted that people from underrepresented communities bring unique perspectives and experiences that can profoundly enrich organizations. By embracing diversity in our hiring trends and processes, we can create platforms for individuals who align with our values, even if they may not possess all the skills initially. By providing the necessary support and fostering their growth, we empower them to thrive in their roles.

Luisa Fernandez , in sharing her personal journey, touched our hearts. She bravely revealed the challenges she faced, including being called names like "fluff" and "heels." Luisa's advice was a true gem: know your worth and focus on what truly matters. She encouraged us to choose our battles wisely and channel our energy towards things that have a real impact. Sometimes, letting go of unnecessary conflicts allows us to prioritize progress and make a genuine difference.?

WELL... Luisa Fernandez may be above all of it, but guess what? I am not.?

So, to the people who called her names:?

She is still wearing high heels and running teams at Formula 1 . What’s good?? ??

As the panel drew to a close, we were left with an inspiring reminder: each of us holds the power to shape our own narratives, challenge stereotypes, and create meaningful change in the world. By embracing our unique strengths, standing up for what truly matters, and supporting one another, we can transform workplaces and industries for the better ??

Panel 3: Using Your Platform for Good

One of the standout moments of the summit was the conversation with Jameela , a former DJ, teacher, activist, and known for her role in the TV show "The Good Place".?

When asked about knowing when it's time for a change, Jameela responded in her usual casual and candid manner: "When I'm bored"

Jameela shared her perspective on how both men and women should come together in this journey of making a difference. She emphasized the importance of confidence and believing in our abilities and skills. It's about performing our best and not being overly concerned about perfection. Mistakes and failures are part of the learning process, and they ultimately contribute to our growth ??

As women, Jameela acknowledged the challenges we face, mentioning the lack of benefit of the doubt we receive compared to men. Society has placed expectations on us, often defining our worth based on being liked or conforming to certain standards.

To underline some challenges women face, let's hear it in Jameela's own words:

“ The fear and failure, it's there for us women.

Everything comes from mistakes and learning.

We don't have the benefit of the doubt as women because we spent it all on men.

As women, we were always told to live up to a certain standard….

We've been raised to think that your fundamental job is to be liked.

Time to change that! ”

Jameela encouraged us to embrace our resilience, challenge these notions, and believe in ourselves. She humorously added, "What’s the worst thing that can happen? It's very unlikely that you will die at Salesforce!!" reminding us to let go of the fear and just roll with it.

Honestly, I almost ran off to the stage and hugged her, she was so sweet and genuine :))

(another fangirl moment for yah!)

She observed that men often keep going despite uncertainties, and she encouraged women to do the same. We should adopt empowering mottos: We are robust, we believe in ourselves, and we are allowed to make mistakes. Waiting for the right moment isn't necessary. Instead, she took charge of her own destiny, refusing to wait for a man to open the door for her and opting to barge in and figure it out on her own. ??

Aligning Career and Purpose

In the final panel, "Aligning Career and Purpose," I want to shine a light on an incredible woman who left a lasting impact on me: Caroline Casey .

Caroline's work in advocating for people with disabilities in this space is truly remarkable. She believes that inclusion should be for everyone or not at all, a sentiment that resonates deeply.

During her talk, Caroline shared an interesting anecdote about Marc Benioff . In a conversation with Caroline, Marc Benioff realized that he could do more for the cause. Without hesitation, he organized a call with 15 CEOs and provided Caroline with a platform in Time magazine.

His words, "Now, how can we help?", exemplify the trust and support needed to empower others rather than doing things for them for appearances' sake.

Caroline emphasized that companies should create spaces and platforms without striving for perfection. Imperfections should be embraced, allowing for genuine progress and change...

Caroline closed her remarks with a quote she has cherished for years: "You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the ocean in one drop" ?? from the wise words of Rumi.

As I conclude my coverage of the Trailblazing Women Summit 2023, I hope these highlights have left you feeling inspired and empowered.?

Together, we can make magic ??

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more stories of Trailblazing Women in the days to come.

And to the ones wondering, I did shed a tear whilst watching it, writing about it and editing it...

Cheers???

DG