Celebrating International Women’s Day with “Give to Gain” event

Gender equality isn’t a moment in the calendar – it’s an ongoing commitment that should shape our actions every day. While International Women’s Day provides a valuable opportunity to reflect, the conversation around equality, access to opportunity and breaking down systemic barriers must continue all year round.

Real progress isn’t just about representation, it’s about access, opportunity and taking action – which is why Monahans is proudly hosting the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce International Women’s Day Give to Gain event on Monday 9th March.

Giving to Gain

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Give to Gain” which reflects a growing recognition that success in modern business is increasingly built on collaborative leadership that not only supports women’s advancement but strengthens organisations and communities as a whole.

The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Give to Gain event is an ideal opportunity to discuss how “giving to gain” can help create fairer opportunities for women across our profession and in our wider communities.

The event will bring together influential speakers, business leaders and professionals from across the region to explore how collective support can drive meaningful change, champion collaboration and share opportunities across the business community.

A golden thread

At Monahans, we’ve encouraged staff at all our offices to contribute to a “Give Thanks” page on our intranet where colleagues can share contributions from other team members, which will remain live beyond International Women’s Day. The “Give To Gain” theme is reflected in the “Give Your Advice” boards which have been set up in our kitchen spaces and communal areas, where staff can give advice to their younger selves, share things they wish they’d known earlier or lessons they had learned.

Supporting equal opportunities really is the golden thread that hangs through our firm and it is another reason why Monahans is hosting Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce event on 9^th March.

Encouraging conversations

Chief Operating Officer, Sophie Austin, will be giving the welcome and sharing some of her own experiences of climbing the career ladder, as well as setting the scene for a programme focused on insight, inspiration and connection.

The Chamber has assembled a diverse panel of speakers, each bringing unique experiences and perspectives on leadership, growth, and social impact.

Samantha Sokoya, Head of Programmes and Partnerships at Book Aid International, will share insights drawn from her extensive work supporting global education initiatives. Joining her are Carol Taylor and Davinia Marshall, co-founders of Little Spark Strategy, who will focus on how shared purpose and strong relationships can help organisations build resilient teams and thriving workplace cultures. Completing the panel is Carly Smith, Director at Gel Studios, whose candid reflections promise to resonate with entrepreneurs and professionals navigating evolving career paths.

Creating space

The event includes a Q&A discussion followed by a networking lunch, creating space for attendees to exchange ideas, build relationships and continue conversations sparked during the panel.

This emphasis on connection reflects the Chamber’s broader mission, which is supporting regional businesses by fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and inclusive leadership across industries – even beyond International Women’s Day.

In today’s business landscape, progress often happens when organisations move from competition toward collaboration. Initiatives like this encourage professionals to share experiences openly, invest in one another’s success, and recognise that empowering others ultimately benefits everyone.

If you are interested in attending the event register here.

Sophie Austin