August 26th is Women’s Equality Day, a holiday formally adopted in 1973 that celebrates and honors the women’s suffrage movement and acknowledges challenges that women have had to overcome in the movement towards equality and progress in America.
Embracing equity and creating an inclusive and empowering space is something Protiviti is very familiar with. Scrolling through our blog or website, you’ll see many pieces about the women of Protiviti and their allies. From various accolades, stories, and initiatives throughout the company, creating an inclusive space of belonging and equity for all is paramount to our success. Because at Protiviti, we know that when people feel seen and supported and valued for exactly who they are, they can thrive as they live and work authentically.
Today, we’re giving you a window into three women’s’ experiences in their careers at Protiviti and asking what Women’s Equality Day means to them. Although they were asked similar questions, it’s so exciting to see how differently each person can answer based on their experiences, backgrounds, and roles. It’s such a meaningful sentiment, especially through the lens of Women’s Equality Day. It is our hope that something from these stories resonates with you – to inspire, to encourage, to identify or feel seen – no matter who you are.
Grace – Director, Technology Consulting
“I’m very involved with our technology industry and focus most of my time helping to grow our relationships with several software companies. I also am an executive sponsor for the GET IT ENG and work closely with folks across the firm to help ensure an equitable experience for people of all gender identities here at Protiviti. In the tech space, women are still highly underrepresented. We make up only 20 – 25% of technology roles around the world, so we’re still fighting every day create more equitable spaces. We all have a role in making this world a more equitable place, and there are ways that each of us can help to make change and create a better world for tomorrow. We can lift up our colleagues, enable our mentors, shine spotlights on our clients, give back to our communities, and welcome new people to the table. Every time we do, we make the world a little bit better than how we found it.”
Women’s Equality Day has been celebrated since the 70s. What does it mean to be observing Women’s Equality Day TODAY in 2023?
“My mom is an entrepreneur, so as I was growing up it was just normal to see women as bosses and leaders. I didn’t realize then how much she went through – how often she was the only woman in the room, how hard she had to work to get a seat at certain tables, or how much she had to defend or do to earn respect from others. Today I look around and I see more and more women and non-binary folks in the room, but there is still substantial inequality we need to fix. We all have a long way to go, but on Women’s Equality Day we have a chance to celebrate of how far we’ve come, appreciate those who came before us who paved the way, and look forward and brace for all we need to do next.”
What is your advice to women in the workplace who want to step up, take the lead, and use their voice, but they may not yet know how?
“One really easy way anyone can make a big impact on making the workplace more inclusive is to take a moment to look around the room and see who is off on their own. Is there someone standing alone at the happy hour? Is there someone who hasn’t been invited to sit with a group at lunch? Is there someone missing from the meeting that should have been asked to be there? Is there someone who you don’t know? Once you see them just go talk to them. Say hi, introduce yourself, ask how their weekend was or what they’re planning to do after work, and make them feel welcome. Maybe even introduce them to someone else you know to help them break the ice with another person. Be the person that makes someone’s day a little less nerve-wracking, that makes them feel welcome, and be that face they look for next time they’re uneasy. Anyone can be a welcoming presence, regardless of title or tenure or solution or gender or any other factor, and being welcoming is a big first step in becoming an inclusive leader.”
You can learn more about Grace’s journey and the power of “Yes” in this recent feature.
Golreez – Director, Internal Audit and Financial Advisory
“I am a Persian Mom and Director in the IAFA practice, based out of the Bay Area office. As of July 2023, I have been with Protiviti for 19 years, during which time I have consistently felt included, valued and understood. A big reason I chose to start my career at Protiviti was the amazing culture I encountered during my first office visit, which included interacting with both females and males at various levels. Once I began to navigate a new life and career as a working Mom, that culture, grace and support continued to shine through. I feel privileged to be in a position where women and equality are valued and celebrated.”
What is your advice to women in the workplace who want to step up, take the lead, and use their voice, but they may not yet know how?
“Be confident, feel and know that you are empowered, and raise your hand. We are fortunate to work in an organization that not only promotes equality, but actively goes above and beyond to cultivate an environment where there is equity as well. There is infinite room for ideas, suggestions, growth and innovation. We should lean on each other, our allies and our mentors, and should feel empowered to raise our hands and start the conversation.”
Abby Winkler – Senior Consultant, Business Process Improvement
“I joined Protiviti right after college, where I found my passion for mentoring young women pursuing careers in business. I was fortunate to be involved in my university’s (hook ‘em!) Women in Business Council, and I saw firsthand how crucial it is to lift up the next generation of women leaders. I constantly reflect on how incredibly lucky I am to have grown up around strong women, and that reality, paired with my time at McCombs, enabled a smooth transition into my full-time role at Protiviti.
Protiviti has allowed me the freedom to pivot and structure a career that aligns with my skills and interests—a freedom I do not take for granted. I began my career as a consultant in our Business Performance Improvement solution doing performance management work, then transitioned into IPO readiness, and now have spent the last year on our M&A team. This mobility is unique to Protiviti, and it is something I do not often hear from peers at other firms. The mobility and swift upward trajectory I have experienced at Protiviti wouldn’t be possible without my strong network of mentors—a network intentionally made up of male allies and women with diverse backgrounds and skills. As a woman, having mentors who believed in me, gave me the space and time to be honest and set big goals, and mentors that reminded me at a regular cadence that I was/am/will always be my own biggest advocate is the reason I feel confident in acting authentic to myself by asking for what I want in my career.
I often think about how generations of women before me continue to impact my life and career today. Their trailblazing transparency, vulnerability, ambition, and beliefs enable me to communicate more effectively and achieve better outcomes. Because they charted paths where others had not walked, I am able to go further still. It would behoove me not to mention that just because speaking up doesn’t feel risky to me today as a white woman, does not mean that is not still the reality for many women of color. Just as I am indebted to individuals who did the work before me, I find it just as imperative that we continue to raise and promote women’s equality in 2023.”
Women’s Equality Day has been celebrated since the 70s. What does it mean to be observing Women’s Equality Day TODAY in 2023?
“Women’s Equality Day reminds me of the grit that was and is necessary for women and allies to fight for equality. The Woman Suffrage Amendment was first introduced in 1878, yet it wasn’t signed into law until 1920. 50 years later, in 1970, employment and education opportunities were not equal, and the advocates led the Women’s Strike for Equality. Women, by nature, are persistent. And we aren’t done. There is so much progress still to be made, but employers like Protiviti make me feel hopeful and excited for a future where women are empowered and confidently lead authentic lives.”
What is your advice to women in the workplace who want to step up, take the lead, and use their voice, but they may not yet know how?
“Find your network of mentors, friends, allies, surround yourself with those people, then [even if you’re scared] DO IT SCARED!”
Women and allies in the workplace – this weekend we celebrate you! To all the progress we’ve made and all that’s to come, to making the world a better place, and to the powerful women around the world who make it all happen, here’s to you.
You can always learn more through the Women’s Network tag on the blog!
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