Talia Bender Small’s Post

3 weeks Since Expo West and the reflections and results keep growing. Dare I admit that this was my 27th and One Step Closer (OSC)'s 12th Expo West? This year, we brought a new approach to Expo with "RippleWest"...a body of ongoing community work that built on the themes from OSC's "Ripplefest" and will continue with Ripplefest 2024 and beyond. By focusing on major industry themes from one place to the next with a consistent group of people, we generate both wider and deeper connection and seed bigger ripples. There was so much to be excited and hopeful about, but four key areas of promise stood out: 1. The Future is Female: According to Project Drawdown, “advancing gender equality is central to ensuring that our global community thrives and addresses the climate crisis.” This idea is germane to OSC’s focus on strengthening support and development of our female leaders. From embedding climate resilience into their sourcing strategies to uplifting communities in which they work and live, female leaders aren’t just leading change, they’re passing it on and lifting up the women around them. I had the privilege of witnessing this over and over throughout Expo: From Climate Day to OSC’s “Cultivating Lead(her)ship: The Ripple Effect of Uplifting Women in Natural Products,” to celebrating and supporting each other at a dinner I co-hosted co-hosted with Julia Collins of Planet FWD and 35 female CEOs and influencers. We were thrilled but not surprised that we had an incredible turn out at all the women’s leadership gatherings we hosted and there was extensive demand for additional Womens’ peer mentoring circles – so we have re-opened the Women’s Peer Mentoring circles application period for one more week! https://lnkd.in/g9dtDp6K THE SHIFT: Women have gone from feeling overlooked to confidently stepping into their power as changemakers. They are animating their brands with purpose and the industry is catching fire. YES, AND: Research indicates that by 2028, women will be responsible for 75 percent ofconsumer spending. Yet, according a recent study, just three of the top 50 CPG CEOs are women and only 23% of Top 50 CPG C-suite leaders are women. Read on for the other 3 Themes https://lnkd.in/gWupr-Vg Angela Rassi, Carlotta Mast, Courtney Pineau, One Step Closer (OSC), Sarah Shaw, Caryl Levine, Brenna Davis, Lee Wallace

Reflecting on recent dialogues I had following the International Women's Day (IWD). I had the privilege to participate in a diverse array of events, spanning from a family owned influential conglomerate to a regional legal firm and a sports club. Across these platforms, three overarching themes emerged: Diversity vs. Merit: A fundamental discussion revolved around the balance between diversity initiatives and merit-based advancement. As someone who has navigated both the analog and disruptive technology realms, I emphasized the importance of resilience and adaptability in staying the course of diversity while honoring merit-based achievements. Women Leadership in Emerging Industries: In today's rapidly evolving landscape, women leaders are carving out significant roles in technology sunrise industries. Through discussions at various events, we explored what it takes for women to thrive in these new frontiers. We need opportunities to be availed, we need to up skill as well and building traits of adaptability, grit in addition to adeptness in our respective sectors of expertise. Sports, Discipline, and Leadership: A fascinating correlation emerged between sports, discipline, and leadership. This theme underscored the importance of good health, ernergy and discipline in leadership roles and how the principles instilled through sports can be translated into various domains. Overall, the dialouge/conversations highlighted the increasing opportunities available to women globally. The diversity agenda is not just a checkbox exercise but a conscious boardroom agenda. Technology, including AI, is shaping the future, necessitating ongoing upskilling for women to remain competitive and thrive. Moreover, most companies today have seasoned teams tasked with mentoring and guiding the next generation, facilitating their navigation through the complexities of our modern work force. With the great feedback I had post the dialogues,it is indeed fulfilling paying forward with my commitment to championing diversity, nurturing emerging leaders, and preparing the young girls and women to thrive in an complex changing landscape.

On this International Women's Day, I'm inspired to share a story close to my heart—a story of transformation, empowerment, and unity within the CPG industry. Meet my client, a talented CPG professional with a knack for innovation and an eye for market trends. Her journey wasn't straightforward. As a woman in a highly competitive and traditionally male-dominated industry, she faced numerous challenges: from being overlooked for promotions to having her ideas dismissed in important meetings. Despite these setbacks, she remained resilient. She recognized the power of collaboration and the strength found in lifting each other up. She took a bold step forward and founded a mentorship program within her company aimed at supporting and empowering women. This initiative wasn't just about career advancement; it was about creating a culture where women's voices were heard, valued, and celebrated. The impact was profound. The program grew, creating a network of women across different departments and levels, all united in their desire to support one another. Success stories began to emerge—women securing leadership roles, launching successful products, and driving innovation within their teams. This transformation within my client's company is a microcosm of what's possible across the entire CPG industry. It's a reminder that when we support each other, we not only overcome challenges but also pave the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant industry. On this International Women's Day, let's commit to empowering the women around us. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or simply lending an ear, every action counts. Together, we can build a CPG industry where women thrive, lead, and inspire the next generation of female leaders. To all the women in CPG and beyond, your courage, creativity, and determination make the world a better place. Let's continue to break barriers and build bridges. Happy International Women's Day! 🌷 Check out the comments for links for the best groups devoted to advancing women! #InternationalWomensDay #cpgindustry #cpg #cpgmentor #nextup #femalesinfood

In 2023, a McKinsey & Company report shed light on the persisting gender disparity in executive positions, revealing that women constitute less than 30 percent of leadership roles. This stark reality prompted a call to action to challenge the status quo and highlight the immense value women bring to leadership. Drawing insights from an extensive data project, L'Oréal Paris has meticulously examined various studies and datasets. The findings have inspired a groundbreaking initiative – the first-ever cosmetic advertising campaign targeting men. Presenting simplified infographics featuring their products, they aim to emphasize the pivotal role women play in leadership. The data speaks for itself: 1️⃣ Increased Profitability: Companies with women occupying 30% of management positions experience a remarkable 15% boost in profitability. 2️⃣ Enhanced Performance: Management reviews reveal that teams led by women outperform their counterparts by 24%. 3️⃣ Innovation Catalysts: Women contribute significantly to innovation, with a 20% increase in patents per year when they are actively involved in leadership roles. These compelling statistics send a clear message: gender diversity is not just a matter of equality but a strategic advantage for businesses. It's time for decision-makers, predominantly men in listed companies, to recognize and embrace the positive impact of women in leadership. In response to this urgent need for change, yesterday, the Vlerick Alumni Women in Leadership Club curated a transformative event at the renowned Vlerick Business School in Belgium, titled 'Fix the system, not the (wo)men!' Heartfelt gratitude extends to esteemed speakers: Anna Van Acker, Dirk Oosterlinck, Gratienne Sioncke, Ralf Wetzel and Charlotte De Metsenaere Special appreciation goes to the dedicated members of the club steering committee: Maria Salmones Paredes, Claire Vanneste, Kaatje Raes, Meryem Daiki, Eva Van Raefelghem, Erin Roman, Geraldine Tosin (she / her), and the dean of Vlerick Business School, Marion Debruyne (she/her). Your collective efforts orchestrated an outstanding experience. Here's to challenging norms, embracing ambition, and collectively navigating towards a more inclusive and empowering leadership landscape. Thank you for an unforgettable event! 👏🌟 #VlerickAlumni #WomenInLeadership #FixTheSystem

My leitmotif for 2024: "No woman will ever be a great woman if she does not dare to be a woman too“.   In circa 424 BC, Hipparete shared with Alkibiades: "No man will ever be a great man if he does not dare to be a woman too." (Pfeijffer, I. L. (2023), Alkibiades). Fast forward 2500 years, and I would like to add "No woman will ever be a great woman if she does not dare to be a woman too."   This statement emphasises the imperative of embracing and appreciating qualities traditionally associated with femininity—such as empathy, vulnerability, and caring—by both men and women. Yet, there's a special call for women to lead the way, daring to embody these qualities boldly. Because these traits have been overlooked for too long, in favour of a focus on skills traditionally associated with masculinity, likely leading to bias against women who excel in them.   As highlighted in my interview with De Tijd earlier this year, I am steadfast in my belief that the key to sustainable success for companies lies in a new era of leadership—one grounded in empathy and human connection. It's time to rebalance a purely result-driven focus with an ethos inspired by care ethics. Imagine the positive impact if we all became more conscious of and cared about the repercussions of our decisions on both our human and non-human environments.   In 2023, I celebrated to graduate as a Master of Arts in Gender and Diversity from Ghent University marking the beginning of my second life career as a corporate advisor in inclusive leadership and corporate culture. My mission is crystal clear: to contribute to the transformation of workplaces designed for our dads into equitable spaces adapted for our daughters and sons. This involves balancing technical skills with a sincere emphasis on the collective, care, vulnerability and empathy— for and in the interest of both men and women.   Because, truly, "No woman will ever be a great woman, nor will a man ever be a great man, if they do not dare to embrace the essence of being a woman too." Thanks to Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer Dewi Van De Vyver Conny Vandendriessche Rebecca Tielemans Avivah Wittenberg-Cox Melinda French Gates and Carol Gilligan for the inspiration   #InclusiveLeadership #GenderEquality #CorporateCulture #EmbracingDiversity #LeadershipEthics #EmpathyInAction"

But it is not only about women, isn’t it? Inclusivity means creating an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances, is welcomed, valued, and given equal opportunities to participate and thrive. It would be interesting to hear how companies are actively embracing diversity.

Happy International Women's Day! Check out Polly's post below and take time to consider how you can be advocate and ally for the women you work with! 💜

🔥 After our great recent event, we announce WOM&AN, Association for Women in M&A joining the group of institutions supporting 30% Club Poland. 🔥   🔍 30% Club Global is a global business campaign aiming to boost the number of women in board seats and executive leadership of companies all over the world. More than 1,000 board chairs and CEOs across more than 20 countries have already signed up as members to deliver at least 30% female representation at both levels. Members of the 30% Club commit to at least 30% female representation on their boards and executive leadership teams because this is the critical mass at which minority voices become heard. The ultimate goal is parity. 🔍 30% Club Poland was initiated in June 2021 and aims to increase the number of women in management and supervisory boards combined of 140 largest listed companies to at least 30% by 2030. At the end of 2022, the share of women in those companies stood at 17.2%.   🔎 WOM&AN, Association for Women in M&A by supporting 30% Club Poland aims to show that gender balance on boards of directors, supervisory boards, and in senior management positions promotes better leadership and governance. Diverse and inclusive workplaces also play an important role in enhancing innovation, attracting, and retaining talent, and improving reputation, and strengthening brand. That’s why it is so important to promote diversity at every level of the organization and at every business sector because only then we can generate even greater value for the company. Get to know WOM&AN, Association for Women in M&A better: ☛ https://lnkd.in/ed5AAtvM #equality #management #mergersandacquisition #boards

"The power of women is limitless." Wondering how to tap into your unique power as a woman in tech? 💼 From navigating career challenges to fostering inclusion, these senior women in tech share their best advice. Check out their invaluable pieces of wisdom to empower and inspire your journey: https://hubs.li/Q02s4gxt0 #WomenInTech #CareerAdvice #InclusionAndDiversity