09 March 2023

International Women’s Day 2023: A Panel Discussion

In celebration of 2023’s International Women’s Day, Benoy and our sister companies brought together a very special panel of accomplished female employees from across the business and global studios to share their thoughts on what the day means to them – and much more.

Entitled Living & Leading with Purpose”, the panel session explored meaningful topics such as breaking the glass ceiling, the importance of role models and mentors, and forging inclusiveness in the workplace.

The panel of women leaders includes:

- Laura Barnes (Group Marketing Communications and Business Development Director)

- Nina Noor (Senior Associate Director and BD Lead for APAC ex-China)

- Kali Chan (Design Director)

- Teri Tsang (Director, Hong Kong Studio Lead)

- With moderator, Maybelyne Ng (Head of Marketing & Communications, APAC)

Part of leadership is building up the people around you,” says Laura. It’s about treating people how you would want to be treated, with transparency, respect, and fairness. By empowering, trusting and believing in their capabilities, we create an open culture — knowing that they will be the best they can be and have your back.

Teri added, Gender borders don’t exist in my books. It is not about women taking on roles traditionally held by men, or vice versa. I am lucky to have so many male allies and supporters at work and in my life. We all have a role to play in creating a more equitable world, and by working together, we can break down those barriers and create a more inclusive future.”

In the workforce statistic across our global studios, women comprised 57% of all employed person in Asia Pacific and 49% of all senior roles are women. I feel fortunate to live in Hong Kong, where women have greater access to opportunities and resources compared to many other parts of the world,” Kali commented. As we continue to make progress towards gender equality, my hope is that one day, all women around the world will have the same opportunities and access to resources, regardless of where they live or their social status.”

Being a working mother can be challenging,” says Nina. But knowing that my daughter looks up to me — even while I am away at work — as a role model makes it all worthwhile. Whenever I feel beaten down, I remind myself that she is watching and trying to emulate me. That inspires me to be the best version of myself both at work and at home.”

In the conversation on women’s leadership and work-life balance, the ladies also discussed the importance of taking time for oneself to nurture one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Each woman shared her own unique way of refreshing her mind away from work and family. 

From managing work-life balance, to the importance of mentorship and community, to the power of resilience and perseverance, our panellists left us with some great takeaways. The panel session was followed by insightful questions from the audience.

At Benoy, we continue to be aware of unseen barriers and create equal opportunities in order to mitigate gender bias and support the development of female employees. Benoy hopes to continue celebrating and uplifting women in our workplace and beyond. 

Happy International Women’s Day! 

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