Women Empowerment in the Workplace

During the expert session, Tash Koster-Thomas engages the audience through interactive exercises using the Mentimeter app, Q&A sessions, and live demonstrations. 

• Recognizing Intersections of Oppression: Understanding how gender intersects with race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, and other identities is essential for creating inclusive workplaces. 
• Combating Microaggressions: Practicing self-advocacy, building a network of supporters, and pursuing learning opportunities are crucial strategies for overcoming subtle, often unintentional forms of discrimination in the workplace. Speak up for yourself, seek out diverse perspectives, and continuously learn to combat microaggressions and achieve career success.
• Allyship and Empowerment: Everyone can make a difference as an ally by sponsoring individuals, amplifying women's ideas, providing confidential support, and committing to continuous learning. 

In this expert session, speaker Tash explores women’s empowerment in the workplace through an intersectional lens. She notes that while some challenges, such as the gender pay gap and underrepresentation in leadership, affect all women, others are more pronounced for specific groups. For example, Black women earn 63 cents and Latina women 57 cents for every dollar earned by white men. Disabled women hold jobs at lower rates (29% vs. 40% for non-disabled women), and LGBTQ+ women face discrimination and lack of acceptance. Older women may encounter ageism or caregiving-related barriers. Tash stresses that allies should recognize these intersecting challenges and support inclusive policies like equal pay, flexible work, anti-discrimination laws, and diverse leadership.

Tash also discusses workplace microaggressions, such as being interrupted, having ideas dismissed, or being excluded from discussions. These subtle behaviors can undermine women’s confidence and career growth. To combat them, she recommends self-advocacy, tracking achievements, negotiating salaries, and building a diverse support network of mentors and advisers rather than relying on a single mentor.

Allies play a critical role in promoting gender equality. Tash emphasizes self-advocacy, networking, and continuous learning as tools to navigate microaggressions and advance careers. Men can be included in these discussions by acknowledging the pressures they face, such as expectations around breadwinning or flexible work.

During the Q&A, participants raised various issues, including women in the military, work-life boundary challenges with female bosses, and microaggressions from supervisors. Tash advised addressing issues directly, documenting achievements (“brag book”), seeking allies, and using HR policies when necessary. She recommended Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez to understand pervasive gender bias.

The session concluded with Tash encouraging participants to take action toward gender equity and offering her contact information for further resources.

Advancing Gender Equity Through Inclusive Workplace Practices

This session focuses on exploring the systemic barriers that contribute to gender disparities in the workplace. It emphasises the importance of creating inclusive policies and practices that ensure equal opportunities for all genders. The discussion includes real-world examples, statistical data, and personal stories to highlight the pervasive nature of gender bias. Participants engage in interactive activities to develop actionable strategies aimed at promoting gender equity in their own organisation.

 

Inclusive Leadership: Succeeding Across Cultures

This session equips leaders with the knowledge and tools to build strong, respectful relationships across cultural boundaries. Participants will explore cultural dimensions, communication styles, and leadership approaches that vary across global contexts. Through interactive activities, case studies, and self-reflection, leaders will gain insight into their own cultural perspectives and learn strategies to bridge differences, foster inclusivity, and drive results in diverse environments. By the end of the session, leaders will be prepared to lead more effectively and inclusively across cultures, promoting collaboration and innovation.

 

Building Inclusive Workplaces: Allyship for Disability and Neurodiversity

This session is designed to empower participants with the knowledge and tools to become effective allies for colleagues with disabilities and are neurodiverse in the workplace. Being an ally means actively creating a supportive, accessible, and equitable environment where all employees can succeed. We will explore practical strategies that make a meaningful difference, from rethinking communication and accessibility to challenging biases and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

 

Advancing Equity: A Call to Action for Anti-Racism

This session focuses on understanding, empathy, and action. Racism permeates our society in both subtle and overt ways, profoundly impacting individuals and communities. Recognizing this is the first step toward meaningful change. We will explore how biases shape our perceptions, how stereotypes reinforce inequality, and how systems of oppression persist. By fostering a deeper awareness of these realities, we can begin to dismantle harmful structures and promote a culture of inclusivity and equity—where every person is valued and respected, regardless of race or ethnicity.

 

Intersectionality - Including ALL Women

The session explores how overlapping identities such as race, gender, sexuality, disability, culture, and age shape women’s experiences at work. Tash Koster-Thomas explains how these intersections create unique challenges that are often overlooked in traditional gender-equity conversations. She emphasizes the need for better allyship and support—both between women and from wider teams—and outlines practical steps organisations can take to create fairer, more inclusive environments where all women can thrive.

 

LGBTQ+ Language & Terminology

This expert session focused on understanding LGBTQ+ language and terminology and highlighted how important inclusive communication is. Participants learned that identity is complex and personal, and that respectful, accurate language helps create a sense of belonging. The session emphasized the value of recognizing diversity within the LGBTQ+ community and staying open to evolving terminology. It also introduced the concept of intersectionality, encouraging participants to consider how different aspects of identity can shape people’s experiences. A key message was the importance of creating psychologically safe spaces, promoting inclusive practices, and challenging discrimination. 

 

LGBTQIA+ Inclusion for Advocates and Allies

This expert session highlights the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide. It emphasizes how legal discrimination, microaggressions, overt exclusion, and lack of representation can harm mental well-being and create barriers to safety and belonging. The session encourages participants to reflect on their role as allies by educating themselves, challenging discrimination, and supporting inclusive environments. Key to meaningful allyship is recognizing personal biases, listening respectfully, and using inclusive language. Tash also suggests learning through accessible resources such as media, social platforms, and respectful conversations without placing the burden on LGBTQIA+ people. Overall, the session serves as a call to action to help build a more inclusive, supportive, and affirming society for all.

 

Psychological Safety in Action: Creating Safer, Stronger Teams

This expert session highlights the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide. It emphasizes how legal discrimination, microaggressions, overt exclusion, and lack of representation can harm mental well-being and create barriers to safety and belonging. The session encourages participants to reflect on their role as allies by educating themselves, challenging discrimination, and supporting inclusive environments. Key to meaningful allyship is recognizing personal biases, listening respectfully, and using inclusive language. Tash also suggests learning through accessible resources such as media, social platforms, and respectful conversations without placing the burden on LGBTQIA+ people. Overall, the session serves as a call to action to help build a more inclusive, supportive, and affirming society for all.