Keynote speaker, workshop, serendipity interviews, roundtable discussions, networking & lunch, plus celebration of our
80 Outstanding Global Women
Friday 7 March 2025
Held at Institute of Directors, London
In celebration of International Women’s Day
IoD, 116 Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5ED
#ThinkWomen #iwd2025 #AccelerateAction
Our International Women’s Day Event
On Friday, March 7th, over 60 leaders from diverse industries gathered in London for the 7th annual Think Global Women International Women’s Day celebration. This inspiring event for our global network, focused on actionable strategies for advancing gender equity, with insightful sessions on inclusion, challenging conversations, and leadership.
Thanks to speaker Mark Freed who highlighted the importance of reshaping diversity and inclusion by focusing on behaviours, values, and culture. Psychologist and author Sarah Rozenthuler shared powerful advice on tackling difficult conversations in the workplace, emphasizing how small changes can make a big impact.
See what happened here
Speakers
Mark Freed is co-founder of Men for Inclusion. With a career dedicated to challenging outdated stereotypes and promoting inclusivity, Mark has become a key voice in driving cultural change within the financial services sector and beyond.
Mark will share his vision for the world he hopes to see for his children and future generations—a world that builds on the progress we’ve made while addressing the challenges that remain.
He will explore the business response. Drawing on the past decade, he will highlight the strategies and drivers, businesses have implemented to tackle these challenges. He will explain why inclusion is the key to reducing gender conflict, expanding opportunities for men, breaking down barriers for women, and delivering the DEI benefits businesses seek.
Mark Freed’s keynote speech “Do we keep following the same old DEI strategies or do we do something new”. Mark will explore how definitions, expectations, and societal norms for men and women have evolved. He will examine how these changes have positively impacted our lives, opening up freedoms, choices, and opportunities for all.
Sarah Rozenthuler is a Chartered Psychologist, founder of Bridgework Consulting Ltd, author, faculty member of Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and Associate Fellow of British Psychological Society. Through her deep understanding of coaching executives and fostering authentic dialogue, Sarah inspires leaders to collaborate effectively, amplify team potential and drove organisational change with a meaningful purpose.
In this interactive workshop-style session, Sarah will delve into the power of conversation as a transformative tool. You will come away with an actionable strategy to lean into a challenging conversation whether this is to advance your career or find a greater sense of purpose in your life.
With inspiration from real-life stories and take-aways from psychological research, this session will empower you to lean into having a difficult conversation with competence, confidence and clarity.
Guest Interviews
Our interviewees will share personal stories and their real-life experiences of successfully navigating the twists and turns of their life and career.
Our interviewees include:
- Angela Fubler : Founder & Owner Bermuda’s Chatmore British International School
- Elaine Héry : Managing Partner at Eres Relocation Europe
- Cynthia Renaud : A Principal with The Mikula-Grand Group
Roundtable Discussions
Roundtable discussions will explore some of the challenges faced by women working in international roles, such as working in locations deemed as challenging, reskilling, juggling career and family life whilst transitioning into a new role and culture.
Topics and facilitators include:
1. Working in perceived difficult geographical locations
Pam Mundy, Executive Director at Pam Mundy Associates
Irina Yakimenko, Managing Partner at Intermark
Gill Gordon, Chair at Permits Foundation
2. Navigating challenging workplaces
Dr Sue Shortland, Professor Emerita, London Metropolitan University
Ann Ellis, Co-Founder & CEO at Mauve Group.
3. Education-early years to life-long learning
Mary Biddlecombe, Executive Director, TASIS England
Paul Williamson, Group head of talent development, ATG Entertainment UK
4. Wellbeing, family and work-life balance
Claudine Hakim. Head of Advancement, Transitions and Student Support at International School London.
Heather De Cruz-Cornaire, Certified Principal Business & Coaching Psychologist, Cafe Coach
charity partner
Inner Wings
Ellen Shustik, programme director and Ilaria Magagnoli, the trustee and programme director, will share more information about Inner Wings, its confidence-building programmes for primary schools, and the charity’s successes.
Timetable for the Day
Timetable for the day
09.00 Guest arrival and registration
09.30 Welcome and introduction – Fiona Murchie, Founder and managing editor, Relocate Global
09:35 Keynote speaker – Mark Freed, Co-founder, Men for Inclusion. ‘Do we keep following the same old DEI strategies or do we do something new’
11:30 Coffee
11:45 Workshop – Sarah Rozenthuler, Chartered Psychologist. ‘Supercharged You: Leaning into difficult conversations’
12:45 Lunch and networking
Charity Partner: Inner Wings – Confidence Building Foundation for Primary School Age Children.
Ellen Shustik, Director of Programmes and Outreach
13:45 Serendipity – Guest interviewsand panel discussion includes Elaine Héry, Eres Relocation Europe and Angela Fubler, Founder & Owner Bermuda’s Chatmore British International School
14:30 Introduction to roundtables – Dr Sue Shortland, Professor Emerita, London Metropolitan University, Equity, Inclusion and horizontal segregation – Navigating Challenging Workplaces
Pam Mundy, Executive Director Pam Mundy Associates, Working in perceived difficult locations and early years and K12 education
Paul Williamson, Group Head of Talent Development, ATG Entertainment, Talent Management, Lifelong Learning, Coaching
14:45 Roundtable Discussions: How to thrive and maximise opportunities. Topics include: Working in perceived difficult geographical locations, Navigating challenging workplaces, Education – Early years to life-long learning, Wellbeing, family and work-life balance.
15:35 Roundtable facilitators feedback
15:55 Closing remarks – Fiona Murchie
16:00 Networking and refreshments
17:00 Close of event
Discover & Read What Happened on the Day: Keynotes, Guest Interviews, and More
Why Attend?
Think Global Women 2025 is a rare opportunity to engage with pioneering leaders, industry experts and community reshaping the workplace in support of women’s advancement.
Through thought-provoking sessions, roundtable discussions, and real-world examples, we’ll focus on actionable strategies to:
Elevate women Into leadership
Champion global mobility
Involve men and build allies to facilitate change
Explore how to engage men in creating a truly inclusive workplace culture, championing gender equity to create lasting meaningful change.
Engage with education:
Encourage children, especially young girls, to take up STEM subjects, explore ways to build confidence and workplace skills in young girls embarking on their careers, so they achieve their full potential, build exciting and fulfilling long-term careers.
Address pay disparity and equity
Capitalise on serendipity
Learn from our panel and roundtable discussions how to build on chance situations and encounters to develop positive career outcomes. Meet in person some of the women profiled in our 40 Outstanding Global Women who will share their stories
More Event Highlights
The discourse around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has become an important area for action within the social pillar of organisations’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies. Despite years of equalities legislation that sets the framework for equal opportunities in the workplace, an equal share of managerial and leadership roles for women remains elusive, meaning that true workplace gender equity has yet to be achieved.
Often centred on women and marginalised groups, the DEI conversation can leave men feeling unsure of their role and confused, or even resistant to change. Yet, men have a critical role as co-workers, champions and advocates. The challenge lies in communicating to men why gender equity is important and beneficial for everyone.
Be Part of the Change
This year’s event is structured to foster genuine connections and actionable outcomes. As a participant, you’ll contribute to a collaborative forum where new ideas flourish and concrete next steps are developed. Together, we’ll address organisational actions and personal empowerment strategies for women to take charge of their career paths.
Become part of a community dedicated to advancing women in the international workplace and championing gender equity.
Don’t miss this inspiring day of learning, networking and taking action.
“I really enjoyed the day, such a great mix of people.”
Connect and collaborate with a community of global workplace leaders & HR professionals
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