Better the Balance, better the world - International Women’s Day celebration

International Women’s Day Celebration, Thursday 7th March 2019
Cambridge

Speakers: Gayle Kerr, Carly Poyser, Hazel Brock, Joy Eldridge, Catherine Moore

Catherine followed up this lively talk with a very thought-provoking talk that centred on knowing yourself and what you need in order to find your own balance. Given her diverse career there were some interesting insights into the cultures of different business/industries and how this can affect how you operate in them. The lesson really is to find out as much as you can about company culture and working practices before you join to figure out if it will be a fit for both parties. Catherine also spoke a lot about mental health and the importance of finding that balance between work/home life, and also allowing those around you to do the same and giving them the safe space to discuss their mental health. Allow them to reach out to you for help, but also allow yourself to reach out to others.

It was amazing that across five very diverse talks, full of amazing and heartfelt stories, that there were strong common threads around resilience, being a role model, not being afraid to ask for help and then paying it forward to help others. Another thing that struck me throughout the talks and the networking was our never-ending ability as women to put ourselves down, or simply to make less of our achievements. My final call in summing up this event was to ban the use of the phrases like “I’m just a” or “I haven’t really done anything remarkable worth speaking about” – these five women proved just how remarkable they are by being vulnerable and sharing their stories with us today in an effort to help us all learn how to balance for better!

#apmwipm   #apmeoe  #BalanceforBetter 

Feedback from our host:
I found the APM’s International Woman’s day event incredibly powerful. The 5 speakers delivered their personal views on BetterforBalance in diverse, entertaining and inspirational ways. I have no doubt that everyone who was present will have taken away something thought provoking and positive from this well-run event.
Colm Moody
European Production Director Bard Pharmaceuticals

Adeline Daly
APM Women in Project Management SIG Chair