Championing Inclusion: Reflections from International Women’s Day

I had the privilege of attending and supporting the International Women’s Day event, Inclusion Includes YOU, hosted by the incredible Nadia Edwards-Dashti and the team at Harrington Starr. It was an inspiring and thought-provoking event that left a lasting impact on me and many others in attendance.

As CEO of ipushpull, one of the event’s sponsors, I was incredibly proud to see so many engaged and passionate individuals come together to champion inclusivity and equity in fintech. The turnout was phenomenal, and we had the honour of hearing from outstanding speakers, including Lynda Clarke, Oge Opara-Nadi, Ashlea Atigolo, and Eugénie Colonna d'Istria. Each of them shared invaluable insights on fostering diversity and driving meaningful change within our industry.

But beyond the discussions, the event also made me reflect on my own journey and experiences with female leadership—or rather, the lack of it in my early career. Growing up in an all-male household after my mother passed away when I was young, my exposure to female leadership was minimal. My professional life began in the male-dominated world of trading, where, out of 400 traders, only two were women. My first company sold real-time news to traders, a space that was 99% male. And when we founded ipushpull, our hiring practices were shaped by our networks, which were also predominantly male.

For a long time, gender imbalance was not something I consciously thought about. That changed when I got married and later had a daughter. Watching my wife navigate pregnancy and returning to work, observing the social expectations placed on boys and girls from an early age, and seeing how girls often outperform boys in early education—only for that dynamic to shift in the workplace—made me realise the deep-rooted challenges women face. As young professionals start their careers, the gender gap in pay and progression widens significantly, and for many women, the cycle of inequality repeats itself when they start a family.

Having a daughter opened my eyes in a way I never anticipated. It made me see the importance of events like Inclusion Includes YOU, where we celebrate female leaders, recognise male allies, and encourage meaningful conversations around inclusivity. These events create opportunities for learning and growth, helping individuals and companies understand the benefits of diverse perspectives. They empower us to take action—whether through mentorship, sponsorship, or simply by being a vocal advocate for equity.

At ipushpull, we are committed to doing better. We recognise the responsibility we have to break down barriers and foster an inclusive culture within our organisation and the wider industry. Supporting initiatives like this event is just one step towards making a real difference.

To all the inspiring female leaders, male allies, mentors, and champions of equality—thank you. 

Let’s keep the conversation going, stand up, make noise, and drive change together. Here’s to a more inclusive and equitable future for all.