Recognized annually for over 100 years, International Women’s Day presents the opportunity for our global communities to come together around a unified call to change. In 2018, the movement’s mission is to motivate and empower friends, colleagues, and communities to think and to be gender inclusive.
In honor, we’ve called on our SnackNation community to chime in on this year’s theme, #pressforprogress, and to discuss how women and men alike can celebrate women’s achievements and push towards gender equality. Here’s what they had to say:
Alysse Burroni, Director of Brand Marketing, shares the power of positivity and how to inspire others.
I’ve always kind of considered myself a serial optimist. I think I spread positive, focused energy in and outside of the workplace, and believe exuding that inherent happiness and confidence will inspire young women both at SnackNation and outside to follow suit.
We’ve got to bring each other to the top by lifting one another up and empowering one another through this energy force – We got this, gals!
Sean Kelly, Co-founder & CEO, illuminates the significance of mentorship.
When given the opportunity to mentor, we need to pay attention to the fact that we are naturally inclined towards people who are just like us. If today’s leaders mentor people just like them, we limit our progress.
We need to go beyond our closest networks and make connections with people that are different from us – in the end, we have more to learn from their perspective too.
Sadie Carpenter, Customer Experience Creative Project Manager, discusses the value of being focused and determined.
As a strong women in today’s workforce, I’m not defined by my gender, the clothes I wear, or the car I drive. I’m defined by who I am and what I bring to the table; my work ethic, my drive, and my integrity.
It’s our job as women to help each other feel empowered and find this exact confidence in every workplace.
Emil Shour, Director of Demand Generation, reflects on natural biases and our responsibility to look beyond them.
I think we can all admit that we have blind spots and perpetuate patterns that are often unconscious. Like breeds like and when you’re surrounded by people similar to you, it can feel like your opinions and behaviors are the norm.
However, we all have a responsibility to actively look outside of our direct communities and become aware of our biases. In 2018, we need to ask ourselves, “What am I doing to be inclusive and promote diversity in my company/my life/my surroundings?”
Liza Goldberg, Marketing & Events Specialist, opines on being an active participant in the women’s movement.
I am building up, encouraging and supporting all women in my life by serving as a catalyst and empowering them with the strength to go after what they set out to do.
I’m also engaging in discourse that promotes change, staying informed and listening to all opinions and sides to find a common ground to create change.
Participating in the women’s march, women’s huddles and communities is a blessing that I don’t take for granted. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to stand up for myself and women all over the world to make the world a more equal and loving place.
Bill Evashwick, Sales Development Representative, shares his thoughts on having open conversations on the topic of gender parity.
We need to continue to support female voices – especially when under-represented and by engaging in uncomfortable conversations.
Let’s all advocate for higher awareness from our communities and encourage open conversations that we are all proud of having regardless of our gender.
Elisa Silvestro, Member Success Manager, discusses the power of support and empowering the women in our lives.
As women, we need to champion each other. We need to wholeheartedly believe that one woman’s success, is a success for all women.
Instead of comparing ourselves to one another, which often leads to negativity, let us lift one another up and celebrate our strengths, both individually and in unity.
Stepha Cook, Inside Sales Manager, remarks on the need for women to pull each other up in male-dominated fields.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been complimented for being women doing well in what is “traditionally a male-dominated field”.
It’s so important to me to continue to empower women in sales to feel confident in their abilities and know they can be just as successful as their male counterparts.
Chelsie Rae Lee, Senior Vice President of Customer Strategy, talks about rising above gender classifications to elevate all humans.
I am not a passionate woman leader…I am a passionate leader who coincidentally happens to be a woman.
This may seem like a small difference, but the distinction is massive. Qualifiers like gender (or sexual orientation or religion or ethnicity) are widely irrelevant to our great talents as humans and allowing them to prevail holds us back from reaching our full potential.
We are all good enough to be measured against the entire population and should refuse to settle for anything less.
So today, and every day, go forth and celebrate those inspirational humans in your life who coincidentally happen to be whatever else they are.
Joey Joyce, Senior Account Executive, notes the importance of remaining focused on action.
It’s time to vote, make noise and make moves. Reach out and make your voice heard. Visibility amplifies our voices.
This year, we need to make sure that we are present and keep pressing for progress even with other priorities competing for our attention.
Chelsea Wojes, Executive Member Success Manager, illustrates the power of small acts of kindness.
Progress and movement aren’t easy for me to execute on a macro level, so I aim for individual, small wins that empower the incredible women in my life.
It’s more about showing women that the best way we can develop positive movement is to build bridges among each other as our foundation for smashing any and all glass ceilings moving forward.
The “little way” goes a long way in the long run.
Clara Kim, Senior Brand Partnerships Manager, reflects on the consumer packaged goods industry in particular.
It’s so inspiring to see more women in top roles at CPG companies and also the numerous women who are building these amazing brands.
Being in the CPG industry for over 10 years, this is truly an exciting time to see what impact women can and have already made in this industry.
Can’t wait to see what’s in store! Literally.
Ryan Schneider, President/COO, concludes by explaining the impact of making room at the table and our strategy here at SnackNation.
Women continue to be underrepresented in management positions across the board – yet it is evident that businesses with senior female leaders and influential voices are far more successful.
As a husband and a father to a beautiful daughter, I am constantly disappointed when I see the persistent opportunity gap & ongoing challenges women face in the workplace.
As a business leader, I am committed to helping foster a world where women have every opportunity for career success – a seat at every table and a voice in every company.
At SnackNation, we have made a conscious choice as an organization to improve diversity across the company and to implement policies, such as our updated family leave policy, that support working mothers and fathers balance family time with work.
We have plenty more to do, but will continue to strive to create an environment that allows those of all backgrounds – irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, orientation, etc – to flourish & succeed.
#IWD2018 #pressforprogress