To mark International Women’s Day 2026, Macro brought colleagues together from across its global offices for a series of virtual fireside conversations exploring leadership, resilience and the power of supporting one another in the workplace.

Held on Wednesday 4 March 2026 to accommodate teams across multiple time zones, the sessions formed part of Macro’s wider commitment to inclusion and belonging. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” highlights how progress accelerates when individuals and organisations invest in others through mentorship, advocacy, opportunity and allyship.

For Macro, the theme reflects a core belief that when organisations create space for diverse voices and experiences, everyone benefits.

Creating space for reflection and conversation

The discussions were hosted by Senior Commercial Manager Baijul Perron and featured leaders from across the business sharing personal reflections on their careers, the challenges they have faced and the lessons they have learned along the way.

Opening the session, Adelaide Forbes, Group People Director highlighted why moments like International Women’s Day matter.

“Days like this matter not just because they are on the calendar,” she said. “They give us a moment to pause, reflect on where we are, and ask what kind of organisation we want to be.”

She also reflected on her own background, and the importance of the people who helped shape her career.

“None of us get to where we are alone. We’re shaped by the people who invest in us and by the cultures that either open doors or keep them shut.”

Her reflections set the tone for the conversations that followed and reinforced the idea that careers are rarely built alone and that workplace culture can either open doors or limit opportunity.

Representation and progress in the built environment

The discussions also explored the broader context of gender representation across industries connected to the built environment. While women make up nearly 40% of the global workforce, they remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles across many sectors.

At Macro, increasing representation at leadership level remains an important part of building a more inclusive organisation. Today, 66% of Macro’s senior leadership team are women, reflecting the organisation’s ongoing commitment to diverse leadership and inclusive opportunity.

Representation plays a vital role in shaping workplace culture. When leadership teams reflect a wider range of perspectives and experiences, organisations are better equipped to make decisions that support diverse talent and respond to the needs of their people.

Lessons from the fireside conversations

Throughout the event, our two guest speakers, Parris Ullrich, Regional Operations Director for MENA and Erin McKenzie, Account Director in the Americas - shared practical insights drawn from their own career journeys, experiences and offered reflections on resilience, leadership and the importance of community in professional growth.

The conversation then naturally expanded into a broader discussion, as the audience was invited to share messages containing the lessons and advice they now value most - the kind of wisdom they wish they’d had earlier in their career:

·         If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way

·         The only person that makes no mistakes, is the person that does nothing. 

·         Play chess, not poker

·         Always ask yourself - "What If" and know this "None of us know how to do something until we have done it" so go for it always! 

·         Small consistent actions create extraordinary results

·         It’s not the title that makes the difference, but the impact we leave behind

·         Respect is the foundation of influence. Treat all people with respect.

·         I've not failed 1,000 times; I've successfully found 1,000 ways how not to do it.

Several key themes emerged from the conversations:

The importance of support networks
Many career milestones are shaped by the encouragement and guidance of others. Mentors, sponsors and supportive colleagues often play a crucial role in helping individuals recognise opportunities and navigate challenges.

As one speaker reflected, “None of us get to where we are alone. We’re shaped by the people who invest in us and by the cultures that either open doors or keep them shut.”

Creating space for others to succeed
Inclusion is built through everyday actions. Leaders and colleagues alike have the ability to open doors by championing talent, encouraging new voices and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to contribute.

The discussion highlighted that progress rarely happens by chance. As one participant noted, “Equality doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because leaders choose to create space and because colleagues champion one another.”

Learning through shared experiences
Open and respectful conversations about personal journeys help deepen understanding across teams. By sharing experiences, colleagues can learn from one another and build stronger, more empathetic workplaces.

Speakers also emphasised the importance of listening with curiosity and empathy when discussing workplace inclusion, recognising that meaningful change starts with open dialogue and a willingness to learn from different perspectives.

Turning conversation into action

International Women’s Day forms part of a wider programme of inclusion and belonging initiatives across Macro. Through its global Inclusion & Belonging Steering Committee, colleagues work together to identify barriers, promote inclusive behaviours and ensure diverse perspectives are reflected in everyday decision-making.

Initiatives such as the “This Is Me” campaign encourage colleagues to share their individual needs, experiences and working preferences, helping teams build greater understanding and support across cultures, roles and regions.

Together, these initiatives reinforce Macro’s commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported and able to thrive.

Learn more about working at Macro here.