What advice would you offer to the next generation of female leaders?

My biggest advice is to redefine what "professional" looks like. For a long time, women were told to lead like men to be taken seriously. But the next generation of leaders needs your empathy, intuition, and unique perspective. I encourage the next generation to be unapologetic about their ambitions, choose integrity over inclusion, be yourself and keep your value. Build trust, build reputation. Success is rarely a solo mission; you need a diverse circle of peers, mentors, and truth-tellers who will challenge you along the way.

What does gender equality mean to you?

Gender equality is the basic right to walk through the world with the same level of safety and respect as anyone else. True equality is an environment where individuals can contribute at their highest level, success is limited only by talent and effort (not by systemic barriers), women receive equal pay for equal work, and their voice is valued as much as a man’s. "Flexibility" isn't a favour granted to women, but a standard corporate value that recognises we all have lives outside of our 9-to-5.

What does 'great leadership” mean to you? What key traits do you value most?

To me, great leadership means success through the success of others. It is rooted in emotional intelligence – synthesising empathy with results and seeing the human being behind the employee and understanding what motivates them. It’s about having the courage to make hard decisions and the integrity to take responsibility when things go wrong while giving away the credit when things go right. A true leader facilitates; they don't just give orders; they remove obstacles and empower a culture where people feel safe enough to fail. It is no longer about being the loudest person in the room or having the most impressive title; it's much more about inclusivity than authority. On IWD, I am reminded that great leaders don’t just reach the top; they reach back and pull the next person up with them.

What message would you like to share on IWD? What does it mean to you?

To me, International Women’s Day is a day to pause and celebrate all women, across every culture and background. True celebration happens when every woman, everywhere, has the autonomy to choose her own path. To every woman reading this: your ambition is not "too much" and your voice is not "too loud." Celebrate your wins - both the ones the world sees and the silent ones you’ve fought for in private. You are seen, you are valued, and you are enough exactly as you are. Happy IWD!