Celebrating women's equality, today and everyday

Let’s fully embrace equity this International Women's Day (IWD) and beyond! Equity is not just a "nice-to-have." It's a must-have for every society. While equal opportunities are a step in the right direction, we must understand that equity and equality are not the same. That's why the IWD 2023 campaign theme is all about embracing equity and taking action to create a truly inclusive world.

We all have a role in this movement, no matter who we are or where we come from. As individuals, we can challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination and seek out inclusion. As allies, we can support and advance the social, economic, cultural and political advancement of women. And collectively, through grassroots action and wide-scale momentum, we can all embrace equity and forge positive change.

When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging. We embrace the means to reach the goal of equality.

In celebration of International Women's Day, Deepika Rayala, chief digital and information officer at Cornerstone, sat down for a fireside chat alongside Amazon Web Services (AWS) customer executives from Boeing, Laserfiche, and Mapbox. In alignment with this year's IWD theme to embrace equity, they discussed the topic of closing the gender gap for women and explored ways to keep diversity, equity and inclusion top of mind when budgets are constrained and companies are scaling back due to economic conditions.

During the panel discussion, Deepika offered valuable advice for women striving to achieve senior leadership roles within their respective companies. She notes that the career ladder can present unique challenges for women, particularly when attempting to secure their first managerial position. However, following a few essential pieces of advice can help women confidently pursue their career goals.

First, having a practical yet ambitious mindset and believing in oneself is critical. Being fearless is also important, but it's equally essential to prepare for any challenges that may arise. Women tend to second-guess themselves and hesitate to take on new challenges, so stepping out of their comfort zones and pushing themselves is essential.

In addition, continuous learning and finding ways to add value to the company are crucial steps toward success. Building a supportive network through networking and mentorship is also imperative. Women must remember to put themselves on the playing field and advocate for themselves to succeed. By following these tips, women can successfully navigate the career ladder and achieve their desired senior leadership roles.

This event aimed to provide actionable insights and best practices for promoting equity within organizations. The panelists shared their experiences and strategies for creating a more inclusive culture, overcoming challenges, and leveraging their positions of power to drive progress toward equity. Participants had the opportunity to gain valuable insights and learn how to take steps toward creating a more equitable workplace. It was an insightful event that provided practical solutions and strategies for promoting equity within organizations.

At Cornerstone, we prioritize inclusive hiring by sourcing diverse and underrepresented talent, while also ensuring equitable pay through pay transparency. In addition, we provide all Cornerstars with training on unconscious bias and other DEIB topics that may contribute to inequities.

As part of our commitment to diversity, we also have a Women @Cornerstone employee resource group that provides growth and connection opportunities, and we set goals to achieve equitable gender balance across all levels of the company.

We take pride in recognizing the women who inspire us and make Cornerstone such a great place to work. Whether it's someone we work with daily or admire from afar, we come together to show appreciation for the amazing women who make a difference in our lives.

Let's all be part of the solution and commit to #EmbraceEquity today, and always. All IWD activity is valid, and everyone, everywhere can build on IWD's century-plus history to help forge an equal world. Join us in this movement, and let's work together to create a better future for all.