In association with sponsor EVOKE.ie we were delighted to host our celebration of International Women’s Day in the RHA Gallery to a packed audience comprised of senior leaders from the advertising and creative communications sector.
Sybil Mulcahy editor of Evoke.ie and former TV3 presenter MC’d the event and introduced Paul Henderson, CEO of DMG Media and creator of Evoke.ie. Paul has supported IAPI’s International Women’s Day celebrations and is a strong advocate of diversity and gender balance for the industry.
“As a female focused website, providing content and a safe space for Irish women, we are fully aware and support the gender balance that needs to be achieved and maintained in the work place.
We acknowledge that ‘Equality of inputs creates a perfectly balanced business culture which results in greater output’ and we adhere and stand by this statement with a cognisant approach to how we operate as team, irrespective of gender. The focus should be on the individual’s ability to contribute and allow them to flourish in order to succeed. It is imperative that success is rewarded fairly and honestly, reflective of effort and input and not reflective of gender.”
Liz Doyle, Commercial Manager, EVOKE.ie
Our keynote speaker Natasha Broomfield-Reid was the Winner of Stonewall Cymru's LGBT+ 'Ally of the Year' 2018 Award. She achieved a special mention in the UK National Centre for Diversity’s 2016 'Inspirational Person Award’. Natasha has over 20 years’ experience working in diversity & inclusion (in both a paid and voluntary capacity) and has carried out roles including the Head of Diversity and Inclusion for Charity Victim Support and Head of Development for Equal Approach - A Global Diversity and Inclusion Consultancy.
Before she started her workshop, she was thrilled to introduce our short video “Out of the Mouths of Babes”. We filmed children from 3rd and 6th class in Griffeen Valley Educate Together School, Lucan. The video presented their unfiltered views on equality, diversity, balance and inclusion and juxtaposed their ideas with the perceived status quo of the modern work environment.
Natasha brought participants through an exciting and interactive workshop questioning the skills needed for business success and interrogating whether these skills are predominantly perceived as male or female.
Too often, leaders may choose male leadership traits; when in fact, female leadership traits are proving more often that they are the traits that can get best results. Traits such as creativity, collaboration, trustworthiness and humility can lead to greater business success and bring balance to the team.
"Don’t think just because you are male, you display all the male traits or if you are female you have all the feminine traits and none of the male. Each one of us possesses a unique mix."
Natasha believes that a lack of diversity in creative industries will limit organisation’s growth and success. Her recommendations included flexible working arrangements for ALL staff, actively minimising the gender pay gap and using staff focus groups to ensure retention of staff.
Natasha was followed by Caroline Tyler, Country Director of the Irish Centre for Diversity. Caroline has over ten years’ experience working to drive Diversity and Inclusion. She worked for 8 years with the team at the UK National Centre for Diversity, following on from their success Natasha launched The Irish Centre of Diversity two years ago. Their goal is to positively influence beliefs, attitudes, behaviour and conduct towards issues surrounding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within organisations and society.
"It was amazing to see some many people that are so committed to improving diversity and inclusion within their own organisation and also within the industry. The consistent message throughout the morning was to keep the conversation going and start to take action. I am looking forward to seeing the positive change that will follow."
The morning was closed by Charlotte Barker, IAPI Board Member and Chair of the Diversity Council. Deputy Managing Director at Dynamo, Dublin Design Agency, Charlotte was also the winner of the 2017 IAPI Doyenne Award for Leadership Excellence. Charlotte was delighted to announce the launch of the new IAPI initiative, the IAPI INCLUSION NETWORK which will roll out a continuous Diversity & Inclusion programme supporting IAPI members.
Commenting at the event, Charley Stoney, CEO of IAPI said:
“I often reflect that we here in Ireland are very fortunate as we only have to contend with our own internal barriers; we do not have to battle discriminatory laws or legislation as others around the world in less fortunate circumstances do. We must ensure that we do not fall victim to our own stereotypes or gender biases."
Finally, the event would not have been the same without the attendees. Through your efforts, your support, your bravery and hard work.
Thank you to our sponsor Evoke.ie and also to the RHA Gallery for having us in what was a truly memorable occasion.
For further information, please contact Keith O’Connor, IAPI
086 179 2953
