International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8th to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. This year’s theme, #EmbraceEquity, highlights the need to address the gender inequalities that persist in every corner of the globe.
Despite the progress that’s been made in the last century alone, women continue to face significant barriers that limit their opportunities and hinder their ability to fully participate in society. This is particularly true for women from marginalised communities, including women of colour, women with disabilities and LGBTQ+ women.
At Elevate we’re working to break down those barriers, supporting the incredible females within our community. From business leaders to HQ team members, we’ve been speaking to our team to discover their experience as a female within the industry, and what #EmbraceEquity means to them.
Meet the Leah Lusted, Product Director at Elevate Global
What is your experience within the events industry?
Fifteen years ago, I started my journey in the events industry, where I worked as a BA, Team Leader, and Mascot! I loved it, it pushed me to do my post-graduate degree in event management, and when I finished my degree, I got my first job out of school with a staffing agency. I then travelled and worked abroad for a few years and re-entered the industry differently. I managed a motivational speaker travelling to various events around the world. I found my way back into the staffing world five years ago when I joined Elevate. I now proudly work on our tech team, helping to build the first truly global staffing software system.
What does equity mean to you?
Equity is about breaking down barriers!
What’s the best example of female equity in the workplace that you’ve experienced?
Flexible working to ensure I can progress in my career while also being available for my family. I am a mom to a two-year-old and have witnessed female friends struggle to remain in the workforce because of various barriers. And above flexibility is continued investment in my career progression, believing in the value I still bring to the table, and being championed as I navigate my career in tech.
What change do you think the industry needs to make to support females?
This is a tricky question to answer. I have specific circumstances, and certain strategies would be better suited to me. The most important thing about the equity discussion is that we all have unique needs, and many of us have barriers that prevent us from fulfilling our truest potential. Individual companies should provide a safe space for their female workforce to provide feedback and outline the support that suits them best. It isn’t a one size fits all approach, and each company would have unique circumstances to address.
What is the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
You have to be willing to set boundaries!
On this International Women’s Day, let us all commit to #EmbracingEquity and work towards a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.
