Give to Gain: Leading the Future of Equality at IWD 2026
At Temple, our mission is to drive standards of excellence. We know for a fact that when gender-diverse teams are at the table, problem-solving is sharper, creativity is higher, and "excellence" becomes measurable. To celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, we gathered our community to explore the power of reciprocity: Give to Gain.
When we give our support, knowledge, and advocacy, we gain a world of unlimited potential. Here is how the day unfolded.
Understanding the "Stellar Mind"
We began the morning with Lynn Smith from Stellar Mind, who opened our eyes to the vital role of Neurodiversity in the Workplace.
Defining Difference: Lynn explained that neurodiversity is a natural part of human difference, encompassing conditions like Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Tourette Syndrome.
The ADHD Lens: She specifically highlighted how ADHD in women often involves "masking", looking fine on the outside while feeling chaotic inside.
Gaining through Adjustment: By giving employees clear expectations and protected focus time, businesses gain creative, high-energy problem solvers who thrive in fast-paced situations.
Leading with Inclusive Purpose
Next, Denise Myers, CEO of Evenfields and Trustee for Smart Works Birmingham, delivered a powerful keynote on Inclusive Leadership.
The Formula for Success: Denise shared that Confidence + Access = Opportunity.
Smart Works Impact: We learned how giving a woman professional styling and coaching can lead to incredible gains—69% of women supported by Smart Works secure a job within just one month.
Economic Power: Ultimately, when we prepare women to perform at their best, we gain greater economic power for the entire community.
Navigating the Legal Shift
As we moved into the midday session, Sian Collin from THSP provided a critical update on Navigating Change & Rights.
Legislative Context: Sian broke down the Employment Rights Act 2025, which is shifting the corporate world from "minimum standards" to "proactive employer duties".
New Protections: We discussed strengthened rights for flexible working, menopause support, and extended protection from dismissal during pregnancy.
The Cultural Bridge: While the law provides the framework, Sian reminded us that legal reform alone cannot transform workplace culture; that requires a collective effort.
The Gen Z Takeover: Reinventing the Corporate World
The finale of our speaker lineup featured three inspiring young women, Chloe Treadwell, Darcey Timmins, and Risha Tanwar, who shared how their generation is reinventing leadership.
Experience vs. Luck: Chloe challenged the idea of "luck," noting that young women bring unique technological fluency and a "challenge-the-status-quo" mindset that businesses desperately need.
Breaking Subject Barriers: Darcey shared her journey as the only girl in her Physics and Further Maths classes, emphasizing the need for more female mentors in male-dominated sectors like Tax and Finance.
The Academic Transition: Risha discussed moving from an all-girls environment to a male-dominated Economics degree, highlighting the importance of working "that extra bit harder" to ensure diverse voices are heard.
The Networking Finale
We closed the day with a "Q&A PAnel," a space to collaborate and, in the spirit of the event, "give to gain" through shared insights.
Join the Movement
The celebration doesn't end here. You can still support our partners at Smart Works Birmingham by joining their Fashion Show on Monday, March 9th, at the Ikon Gallery.
