Inspiring Inclusion requires all to be better

Michelle Mikesell, Chief People Officer, G&A Partners

 IWD 2024

Simon Sinek said: “We call someone a leader not because they are in charge but because they have the courage to go first. To risk first. To trust first.”

March 8th is International Women's Day, and as I read the words above, I thought about going first. I thought about the times I’ve put myself out there with people who don’t know anything about me, except my gender – people who may be reducing me on that information alone. I wonder if Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, who first fought for women's rights, would applaud where we are. Or would they call for better?

Better inspires inclusion.

Better demands moving forward through change.

Better requires empowering women to reach their full potential.

For our leaders, the call is to lift others up, encouraging them to be their authentic selves.

At G&A Partners, “better” requires us to continue to innovate and grow.

Our six employee resource groups help us to do that – by meeting people where they are, so we can better understand their needs.

But there is still work to do.

This year, we are committed to a company-wide diversity survey and monthly programs focused on celebrating our individuality and promoting events and education important to our diverse communities.

This International Women's Day, let us all continue to challenge the status quo by risking first, recognizing our uniqueness, and reaching out to inspire and empower a new generation of women.