Think Creative Spring 2022

When I started out in international development, there weren’t very many women. I think people forget that being a woman in this industry still has its challenges. When I first started in governance, I was the only woman many times at meetings of hundreds of male mayors and other leaders. That has changed, but not enough. Sharon Van Pelt Vice President & Senior Director Communities in Transition Three of Creative’s top leaders reflect on the value of gender equality. WOMEN in LEADERSHIP “ International development evens out the playing field for women. Our programs and engagement provide themwith resources, training and support to implement their ideas and solutions. When done well, the results are pro found; I’ve seen women transform themselves from participants and recipients of assistance to leaders and decision makers. Noy Villalobos Vice President Global Operations

Ailea Sneller Vice President Business Development

One of the most important achievements I’ve seen in gender equality over the course of my career is women in leadership roles. Now, women represent half or more of CEOs, board members or other management positions in international development. Our work is not done, but I am proud of the tremendous strides our industry has made.

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Kinda Jaradat Monitoring and Evaluation Director Jordan Technical Assistance Program

Jennifer Emodi Procurement and Logistics Officer West Africa Trade and Investment Hub

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From a monitoring, evaluation and learning perspective, research is a key area where bias can be broken. When research is not gender sensitive and women are underrep resented, important data about the economic, political and social contributions of girls and women become incomplete or missing. When decisions are made and priorities are set, capacities of women and girls are often underutilized. It is important that research efforts monitor gender-differential implications and utilize gender-sensitive approaches to ensure that gender-based constraints are eliminated. “

For my part, I hope to break the bias in the procurement sector by working to ensure my work environment is inclusive so that women don’t have to hide their motherhood and child-raising years just to be considered more serious about their careers. Providing flexible working schedules that allow employees to maintain a proper work-life balance is key. I will acknowledge and respect differences in the workplace, so no woman feels she must adopt a pattern of behavior to be accepted and make progress in her career path.”

Photos by Skip Brown (Women in Leadership); submitted by Creative staff

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