At Reward Gateway | Edenred (RGER), we’re committed to creating a culture where women feel empowered, valued, and celebrated. Our Women and Allies Network plays a pivotal role in fostering these connections and driving meaningful conversations around equity, inclusion, and growth.
This year, we marked International Women’s Day (IWD) with a series of inspiring events across our global community. From thought-provoking coffee mornings to heartfelt discussions, these moments reminded us of the power of coming together, sharing experiences, and committing to change. Together, we reflected on the challenges women face, celebrated their successes, and explored ways to support one another in creating a more inclusive future.
Here’s a glimpse of how we celebrated IWD across our global offices.
We started our celebrations in Australia, where we hosted IWD coffee mornings in Sydney and Melbourne. These mornings were a beautiful way to connect in a relaxed setting and discuss what IWD really means, both historically and in today’s world. It was a chance to dive deep into why it’s so important to continue these conversations and how the issues we face as women impact all of us.
We didn’t shy away from tough topics, and it was so empowering to hear everyone’s stories. The conversations ranged from imposter syndrome and discrimination to sexual misconduct and the often-overlooked effects of hiding empathetic personality traits. Through these discussions, we reflected on how we show up in life, whether it’s at home, at work, or in relationships, and how our actions and choices can create spaces where we all feel empowered to make a difference.
We left the coffee mornings with three thought-provoking questions:
🔹 How far have we come, and what’s the biggest change you’ve seen?
🔹 What would you commit to for your future self to continue driving change?
🔹 What advice would you give your younger self, and what are you proud of?
Here are some reflections:
"The IWD coffee morning was a great insight into what builds us as women. A lot of thought provoking conversation and stories that have brought us to where we are now. I’ve never really had something like this in previous jobs, so it was amazing to have time dedicated to learning and hearing from each other."
"My message to my future self is to continue to follow your gut, look for the fun in every day, embrace discomfort and surround yourself with people that raise you up."
On Thursday, March 20th, we gathered in our London and Chester offices to celebrate IWD with energy, warmth, and a shared commitment to action. We focused on this year’s theme, #ForAllWomenAndGirls, and kicked off the morning with coffee, pastries, and Mimosas—the perfect setting to connect and reflect.
We also watched the inspiring TED Talk by Shonda Rhimes, My Year of Saying Yes to Everything, a powerful reminder of the growth, courage, and opportunities that come from saying “yes” to what scares us and pushes us beyond our comfort zones.
The conversation then shifted to some of the challenges women face in the workplace, particularly for working mothers, and how we can support our colleagues who might be feeling overwhelmed or isolated. We also talked about the pressures of meeting impossible expectations in multiple areas of life—the constant juggling act that many of us feel we must perform, all while wearing a smile. It was eye-opening to realize just how many of us feel the same way, trying to manage everything while also making it look easy.
We discussed how setting boundaries and saying no when we don’t have the capacity is not a weakness, but an essential step in empowering ourselves and protecting our mental wellbeing. The key takeaway? We don’t have to do it all. And, most importantly, we’re not alone in these struggles. When we share our concerns and experiences with each other, we realize that we are all doing our best—and that is enough.
"I was delighted to be asked to say a few words at the UK gathering. Mothers can often face an uphill struggle to juggle professional life and home life (not just with children but increasingly with parents too). My daughter's example was a case in point, and my heartfelt thanks to everyone in the room (women and men) for their advice and guidance to me. Ringing in my ears was the phrase "you can have it all, but not necessarily all at the same time". I took the guidance onboard and had a very helpful (I hope) conversation with her." - Nick Burns, CEO
We paired our celebrations with a donation drive for Solace, supporting women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Thanks to your generosity, we collected essentials to help survivors rebuild their lives.
As we reflect on this month of IWD celebrations, the most powerful takeaway is the strength that comes from sharing our stories, struggles, and victories. When we show up, speak up, and support one another, we create a ripple effect of change that empowers us all.
As Kylie Green, our Women’s Network LT Sponsor, shared:
"Days like IWD are a great reminder to create a space for women to connect and be vulnerable about their unique experiences, challenges and opportunities and importantly, to continue to support and inspire each other."
Let’s carry that momentum forward—saying YES to growth, breaking down barriers, and setting boundaries that empower us. True strength lies not in doing it all but in lifting each other up and advocating for a future where every woman and girl feels seen, valued, and celebrated. 💜
To learn more about how we champion diversity and inclusion at RGER, visit rg.co/diversity.