Why I’m committed to building a gender-balanced world

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is balance.  

It’s a word that has been pivotal to my career.  

To me, balance is about successfully integrating all the things that are important in my life: career, family, friends, and personal interests. And in the hundreds of conversations that I’ve had with other professional women throughout my career, I’ve found that I’m not alone: We all want the ability to integrate the things that matter most to us.  

I started Simplicity Consulting in 2006 to seek that integrated balance. After a 14-year career in corporate America, I still wanted to do impactful work, but I also wanted the flexibility to spend meaningful time with my family.  

Throughout the years, I’ve mentored and advised countless women (and men!) as they chart their career trajectory. I feel a sense of responsibility, one we all share, to be a good role model and help lift up those women so they can find success—whatever that may look like for them. 

Today, as I continue to build my business, I’m focused on creating a gender-balanced workforce. Our staff at Simplicity is 100% female, and our 150+ consultants are more than 70% women.  

Commitment to gender equality  

In an industry that’s largely run by men, we’re proud to stand for something different. Our all-women leadership team is committed to helping everyone thrive in the new world of work; supporting women in technology and business; and creating an inclusive, supportive environment for all.  

We’re also proud to demonstrate that diversity isn’t just good optics—it's good business. Simplicity has been profitable from day one with no external funding, and today is a $34M company.  

And, most importantly, we’re proud that Simplicity has empowered thousands of talented professionals to achieve flexibility to do the work they love that I sought when I quit my corporate job more than a decade ago, while helping our region’s top companies accelerate their business and add a fresh perspective.  

As the IWD team reminds us: 

Balance is not a women's issue, it's a business issue. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balance of employees, more gender-balance in wealth, gender-balanced sports coverage ... 

Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive. 

Collective action and shared responsibility for driving a gender-balanced world is key. 

#BalanceforBetter 

Achieving meaningful gender balance will take all of us—women and men alike.  

There’s no quick fix, no one size fits all solution. But there are a million ways, big and small, that will inch us closer to achieving balance.  

Give women a seat at the table. Mentor or sponsor a younger woman in her career. Support events and causes that value diversity and inclusion. Give credit where it’s due. Make space for women’s voices to be heard. Remind the women in your life that they deserve a seat at the table.  

I’m committed to building a gender-balanced world. Will you join me?  

About International Women's Day  

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Learn more: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/. #IWD2019 #BalanceforBetter