This year’s theme for International Women’s Day — Accelerate Action — resonates deeply with me: It’s about acting decisively to ensure equality and empowerment for all women and girls.
Over the past few years, I’ve been on an arduous yet transformative personal journey. Much like the heroes we hear and read about, I’ve faced my share of trials and tribulations. I’ve battled seemingly impossible odds, dealt with challenges that would make even the bravest hesitate, and confronted a host of (metaphorical) three-headed dogs. While I can’t lay down my sword and shield yet, I can pause to take a rest. And I can say that I’m healing — one step at a time — by embracing the marathon-like endurance these challenges have required.
What I’ve learned is that being the hero in your own life is sometimes the most powerful way to create change. We all have the potential to transform, to rise above, and to become an inspiration to others.
In my quest to become my own hero, I’ve ventured into the unknown, fully embracing the process of transformation and renewal. This is something that all great legends and myths touch upon — the hero’s journey. One of its most crucial elements is the meeting of allies, people who light the way and offer support when the road gets rough. In my case, as I extend my journey into the professional realm, that’s about building a team of powerful, like-minded women who inspire me, challenge me, and stand beside me.
It started when I attended The Executive Evolution/Female Executive Mindshare event in New Orleans, an intimate gathering of about 50 women. Our discussions weren’t surface-level talk about work. They were about real-life experiences — struggles, victories, and everything in between — and professional growth strategies. It was humanizing. It was authentic. It was about building a strong network of women who are there to support each other’s evolution.
So often, we hear about the need to compartmentalize our professional and personal lives, to wear a “perfect” mask and keep vulnerability at bay. But that’s not realistic. Both worlds often collide, and for the first time at a professional gathering, this intersection was celebrated, honored, and recognized as truth. Knowing I wasn’t alone in this space opened the door for real connections and relationships to blossom. And it made me excited about the other inspirational experiences and people I could continue to meet.
Look, I’m not saying you have to share your most intimate stories with everyone you meet to forge an allyship. You do that when it feels right, when the audience is deserving. The point is this: Power lies in recognizing that we all have our issues as the beautiful, flawed humans we are. To assume perfection in others, or to judge them, is a power leak. Activating your power means respecting the challenges, the imperfections, the journey. Inspiring others to do the same — and to share experiences and grow — is at the core of this year’s International Women’s Day theme: honoring rights, equality, and empowerment for all.
The momentum continued when a colleague introduced me to a woman who’s as passionate as I am about women being their authentic selves. We immediately connected. In our conversation, we expressed our shared belief that we all struggle and bring unique gifts to the table at the same time. This incredible woman continues to light the way for me, connecting me to other inspiring women, each contributing their own power and authenticity to my life.
From there, my network expanded exponentially. I attended Women of the Channel, where I had deep, meaningful conversations with women united in the goal of uplifting and supporting one another. At that event, I met a female CEO who left a lasting impression on me — not because of the accolades she’s received, but because of her authenticity, approachability, and genuine connection with others. To me, this combination of success and humility is what truly defines leadership.
Looking back on my months of networking, I realize just how much I’ve admired — and learned from — the women who’ve crossed my path. These are the qualities I value most and hope to embody myself:
As you embark on your own journey, I hope you find your allies — those women who inspire you, let you lean on them, give you strength, and draw strength from you as well. Together, we can build a network that uplifts and empowers women, one that fosters the change we so desperately need. We can then move closer to realizing the vision of rights, equality, and empowerment for all women and girls.
Let’s keep pushing forward.
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As vice president of professional services at Channelnomics, Bryn Nettesheim heads up the consulting practice, providing strategic direction and creating processes to ensure operational efficiency and a positive client experience. Nettesheim has extensive expertise in marketing, project management, consulting, and channel programs. Contact her at bnettesheim@channelnomics.com.