International Women’s Day is a day known for celebrating trailblazers and empowering gender-diverse people. Gender inequities are still prominent in today’s society creating not only a women’s issue but a socioeconomic issue. Mediaplanet sat down with female leaders in various industries to shed light on the barriers they’ve faced over their careers.
Q&A
Dina Pugliese-Mirkovich
The Care Principle Founder, National TV Host.
What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced as a women trying to advance your career?
I think the biggest challenge for me was overcoming the inner voice in my head that told me “I couldn’t”. It seemed impossible to silence my self-doubt. I got in my own way more than anyone else ever could.
Another challenge I often faced was being underestimated because I was “too nice”. Being kind isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. We need to build one another up. Kindness and having empathy for one another is key to a healthy, sustainable work environment.
How can Canadians be better allies for women and gender-diverse people in the workplace? Why do you think it’s so important to have everyone on board?
Canada is made up of a beautiful cultural mosaic….one that benefits any workplace when it’s represented. Passion, skill, drive and a positive attitude should always be the determining factors.
What advice can you give women who are consistently facing barriers and inequities in the workplace?
Lean on others you trust for support and advice. Reach out to someone who has been able to break a barrier in the field you’re interested in and find out how they managed to do it. Without my mentor, broadcast journalist Mary Ito, showing me the way many moons ago, I never would have stayed the course. She was all that I wanted to see in the broadcast industry…integrity in tact, hard working, talented, with a heart of gold.
Learn more and follow Dina on Instagram: @dina.pugliese
Q&A
Mira Kopanarov
Founder Mirable Marketing, The Women’s Connection
&
Lia Antonova
Founder Dama Events, The Women’s Connection
What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced as a women trying to advance your career?
- Persistent request to discount worth on the promise of future success
- Balance between equally demanding responsibilities
- Inadequacy for needing time for reboot
How can Canadians be better allies for women and gender-diverse people in the workplace? Why do you think it’s so important to have everyone on board?
Listening to the voices of women and gender-diverse people from within the communities, like The Women’s Connection. When one section of society flourishes it benefits all. What we need most is shift of attitude and awareness.
What advice can you give women who are consistently facing barriers and inequities in the workplace?
Know that you are not alone. Reclaim your worth and accept equality as the only option. Be prepared to examine your goals to maintain integrity which is the real source of strength and success.
Learn more about tonight’s event and follow Mira and Lia on LinkedIn:
@mira-kopanarov & @lia-antonova.
Q&A
Zuly Matallana
Founder and CEO TIARA Bliss Inc. (As seen on Dragons’ Den)
What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced as a women trying to advance your career?
The hardest challenge I believe is the fact that I had to learn a new language in order to advance my career — but it was also a blessing in disguise! Running a startup during COVID lockdowns was scary, there was so much uncertainty, both in my professional and personal life. It allowed me time to really narrow my focus though, and thankfully, the lockdown meant more women were doing their own hair at home, and happy to invest in the TIARA Shower Cap to extend the life of their at-home blowouts.
It also allowed me to slow down and really focus on the direction I wanted to take my business in. I invested my energy to create another amazing product like the Natural Deodorant and Natural Dry shampoos – which we’re excited to launch soon.
How can Canadians be better allies for women and gender-diverse people in the workplace? Why do you think it’s so important to have everyone on board?
I really believe respect is a key factor to understand and support gender-diverse people in the work place. Universally, respect is an important factor driving contingent work experiences. Respect for the contingent workforce can be thought of in terms of a cycle, where colleagues and project leaders first encourage opportunities, listen to the opinions of contingent workers, and recognize work contributions.
What advice can you give women who are consistently facing barriers and inequities in the workplace?
Set yourself up for success by surrounding yourselves with mentors. We can’t do it alone. Having trustworthy mentors and allies that you can turn to for advice, or even a simple gut check as you make decisions, has been a huge source of support and assurance for me.
And finally, know that mistakes are inevitable. Don’t shy away from them. Instead, understand why they were made, and how you can avoid making them again in the future. I invite you to learn and keep believing in yourself.
Learn more about Zuly’s Dragon’s Den experience and follow her on Instagram @shopmytiara.
