This Sunday, March 8th, we join the world in celebrating International Women’s Day, a global recognition of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and a call to action for accelerating gender equality. This year’s IWD campaign theme is Give to Gain (#GiveToGain), a reminder that when we invest in women, everyone benefits.
At Diversified, that recognition hits close to home. Nearly 70% of our workforce is women, and that strength is reflected in the work we do every day, across every portfolio, every team, and every market we serve.
Voices from Our IWD Panel
On March 3rd, Diversified staff gathered in the Cornerstone Room at our new office for our inaugural IWD Panel. Five of Diversified’s women leaders took the stage for an honest, inspiring conversation about leadership, confidence, and growth. The discussion was a reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about showing up anyway.
Christina Henderson, VP of Endurance Portfolio, spoke to the power of vulnerability in building trust: “I decided to lean into authenticity. I admitted when I didn’t have all the answers, and that helped us build trust much faster.” Her advice to anyone who hesitates? “Do it even if your voice shakes; every leader feels imposter syndrome at times.”
Heather Johnson, VP of Technology Portfolio, reflected on how her definition of success evolved over time: “My values changed when I started a family, and I had to redefine what success looked like for me.” She also offered a practical challenge to anyone waiting for a seat at the table: “There are leadership opportunities in every role; you just have to choose to see and use them.”
Jess Woods, VP of Finance & Accounting, talked about the importance of advocating for others and for yourself: “I try to celebrate people out loud and advocate for them when they’re not in the room.” On imposter syndrome, she had a concrete solution: “I keep a ‘hype file’ to remind myself of my wins.”
Brenna Hensley, VP of Seafood Events Portfolio, kept it direct: “Going into male-dominated rooms with confidence and speaking up has gone a long way.”
Meg Kilmurry, VP of Business Communities Portfolio offered a nuanced take on one of the panel’s recurring themes: “Saying yes is important, but knowing when to say ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I can’t’ is just as critical. Otherwise, that’s how burnout happens.”
The session wrapped up with a Q&A, with questions from Diversified staff at all stages of their careers, making for a rich exchange that carried the conversation well beyond the panel itself.
Supporting Women in Our Community
Beyond our walls, Diversified is committed to making an impact in the communities where we live and work. Through our Corporate Contributions Program, we’ve donated to In Her Presence, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting immigrant women and families. We’re proud to contribute to an organization doing such meaningful and necessary work.
International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate progress and recommit to the work still ahead. We’re grateful for the women who lead, mentor, advocate, and inspire at Diversified every day.
To learn more about International Women’s Day, visit internationalwomensday.com.
