Show up, show out the Sherry Perrier way
THE future is female, or so it is often said. But with the influential work of powerful and norm-changing women like Sherry Perrier, can we really contest the veracity of the statement?
As we continue to grapple with questions of whether women can be leaders of the future or whether they are capable of deconstructing gender biases, Perrier, the commercial business controller and revenue manager at Red Stripe, has been steadily building a powerful case for her gender. To learn more about her role in the company’s inclusion and diversity agenda, we had a fruitful discussion with Perrier about breaking glass ceilings and how she combats gender bias in the workspace.
“To establish a presence on the corporate stage, we must be bold when stepping out, by heightening self-confidence and vanquishing self-doubt which so many times poison the minds and physical efforts of women in seizing feasible opportunities that present themselves in male-dominated spaces like the alcohol industry,” said Perrier, adding that she believes in making her voice heard and being seen as ways to fight against gender bias.
“I make it my duty to protest against gender inequality wherever I see it. Sometimes other women may not support your efforts but as someone who does not want to be a part of the problem, I must charge others to get in line with being part of the solution,” she asserted.
Perrier believes women should be more consistent and unified in all-female networking just as much as men are with the ‘old boys’ clubs.
“The female professional circle should be as strong and closely knit. Each one teaches one,” she said, recounting the continuous support she has received from other powerful women. “There are mentorship programmes within Red Stripe to promote women rising above the status quo,” she noted, celebrating her own mentor Dianne Ashton-Smith, the company’s head of corporate affairs. Perrier is also privileged to have been mentored by Minna Israel, Emprezz Golding, Pauline Murphy and Wenise Davis.
“In my opinion, these initiatives and efforts not only garner support for female leadership but also reinforce the idea of women making an impact on and invaluable contributions to society,” she continued.
The Chevening scholar is the youngest member of the Finance Leadership Team at Red Stripe, part of the HEINEKEN company which has been pushing male allyship for greater gender balance.
“Worldwide women struggle to be seen as eligible leaders, particularly when it comes to being at the top of the chain of command in corporate spaces. This reduces the likelihood of women attaining roles as senior managers and directors,” said Perry. “Allyship is about getting the men in the business to be advocates for gender equality, where they truly understand the issue and are willing to lobby for and defend women against bias because demolishing gender inequality is everybody’s responsibility, not just women,” she said.
For Perrier, her number one role model, “as cliché as it sounds, is my mom”. In addition to her mother, she admires renowned American billionaire Oprah Winfrey for breaking glass ceilings and becoming one of the wealthiest and most influential black women in the world.
The young corporate leader is encouraging women to follow the example set by Winfrey and other women leaders in business and industry, across all disciplines. “Women, show up, show out and help to make a difference,” said Perrier.
