Celebrating the women shaping our firm this International Women's Day

Ahead of International Women's Day (IWD) this Sunday, we‘re celebrating the women who play a central role in driving our firm forward every day.

This year’s theme, Give to Gain, speaks to the idea that progress is collective. Equality moves forward when people choose to support it in practical ways, day after day.

Across the firm, we have several ongoing initiatives focused on supporting women and advancing gender equality in practical ways, including our headline Women of Walkers (WOW) network.

Building connections and career development

WOW is our global, employee-led network for women and allies that brings colleagues together to connect, share experiences and support career development. It also offers a direct route for insight and feedback that helps shape our wider DEI work.

Through WOW, colleagues can join a global mentoring scheme that pairs people across offices and levels of seniority. The emphasis is on practical guidance and open conversation, helping participants build confidence, clarity and direction.

We spoke with several of our women leaders and allies to explore how the WOW network is shaping their careers. They shared the difference that mentorship has made to their development and reflected on the role allies play in creating an environment where everyone can achieve their best.

Amina Mahmood, Dubai

Amina Mahmood has played a central role in creating the WOW network. Now entering its second year, WOW continues to bring women and allies together to connect, share experiences and support career development.

Amina told us that she was inspired by her mum, who ran voluntary women’s groups to create a safe space and a strong sense of belonging. That experience shaped her vision for WoW and her commitment to building a global community that supports women across all levels and areas of our business.

Iona Wright, British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Iona Wright is a key figure in our BVI office and a recognised leader in the digital assets space. She speaks about the support of her female colleagues and how their guidance has helped shape her career – from her path to partnership to her election as a director of BVI Finance.

In her words, women are empowered at every level of the firm and having inspirational women at the top of the firm shows that when you are driven and have a clear business case, there are no blockers.

Jonathan Sheehan, Ireland

Allyship sits at the heart of IWD. It gives us space to reflect on how we can all contribute to a culture built on accountability, trust and support – and on how advocating for and with women helps reduce gender inequity and remove barriers to career progression.

Jonathan reflects on the informal mentorship he has benefited from throughout his career and why he supports having a clear structure that makes mentorship accessible to everyone.

Sophia Yuan, Singapore

Sophia Yuan is an active member of the WOW committee and plays a key role in shaping its direction so colleagues across the firm can benefit. For her, WOW is not a symbolic group but a community focused on creating real impact across the business.

Her involvement has also shaped how she thinks about mentorship – seeing it as a fluid process that involves learning from seniors, peers and people across different industries.

Recognising the women in our lives every day

IWD is a moment to reflect, but the work itself continues throughout the year. Through conversation, awareness and allyship, we can create meaningful change that removes the biases and barriers.