Grace Burnett, Chief Executive Officer, GraceKennedy Financial Group; President and CEO, GraceKennedy Money Services
What is one key change you believe needs to happen — whether in the workplace, community, or society — to create real progress for women, and how can you (or have you) contributed to making it happen?
I think it is empathy and support for women as they navigate all their roles at the same time — mother, daughter, spouse, boss, employee, caregiver, etc. There seems to be an expectation that all these roles can be executed flawlessly and all at the same time. Women also need to understand that they do not need be over 100 per cent ready to accept an opportunity.
I have focussed most of my mentoring activities around women, sharing with them my journey and my learnings. This is to give them the confidence to accept roles that they desire professionally as they put in place the support systems that are required to ensure a “reasonable” balance between their personal and professional lives. To encourage women to give themselves grace.
