What do you do at Xodus?
I am currently seconded as an associate member of the Xodus Executive Team helping to support and facilitate initiatives and day to day operations of the team. I have a background in technical safety and risk and the skills gained here, along with my scrum master training, has really helped set me up for success in my current role.
Why did you want to be part of Women In New Energy (W.I.N.E)?
I had heard great things about the first W.I.N.E conference which took place the previous year so had been very keen to attend but the idea of actually hosting a roundtable came from my mentor. I found the idea of this made me both excited and nervous but the more I looked into what W.I.N.E was about and the opportunity it presented I was sold. Having safe spaces like this where people can come together to talk about current challenges and possible ways forward is so important as we need to drive collective positive change.
What was the topic you chose for your round table and why?
The topic for my table was how we can empower the workplace by growing Women’s Networks. The reason for choosing this topic was to bring focus on the role that Networks can play in terms of breaking down gender based barriers, empowering growth and enabling positive change that can bring about benefits to all. Another key aspect was the vital role of male allyship and what good looks like with this. From my time as Executive Sponsor of the Xodus Women’s Network I have seen first hand the great outcomes that can be driven by networks and the support they can provide to members. I have also seen area’s where it would be good to learn from other networks and drive continuous improvement so by opening up the conversation to a broad range of people we could get that diversity of though to learn from each other.
What is the one thing you took away from the day?
A key takeaway for me from our discussion on the table and the wider conference was the vital role of allyship. Male allyship is crucial for achieving true gender equity because it involves men actively supporting and advocating for women’s rights and opportunities. By leveraging their positions of influence, men can help dismantle systemic barriers, challenge gender biases, and promote inclusive practices. This collective effort not only benefits women but also fosters a more equitable and productive environment for everyone.
Why should people get involved with W.I.N.E in the future?
The W.I.N.E conference manages to create safe space for people to come together to discuss important topics and see what they can do, or encourage others to make change happen. The camaraderie and sense of community that it brings is a testament to how it has been set up and demonstrates the exact point of the round table I was hosting – a network of people pursuing positive change can bring about fantastic things.
What was so inspirational about the day?
A message that really hit home for me was from Beena Sharma, one of the co-founders of W.I.N.E, she talked about “sending the elevator back down for others”. The essence of this was around that it doesn’t matter how high you have manged to climb in your career so far, choose to make a conscious effort to help other women rise as well. It’s about using your position, experience, and resources to lift others up, ensuring that they have the support and opportunities they need to succeed. This can involve mentoring, advocating for equal opportunities, cheerleading for others, sharing knowledge, and creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.