2024 Women in Work Highlights: A Year of Growth, Inspiration, and Impact
By Laura Biggs, Co-Founder of the Women in Work Group
As we wrap up another incredible year, I’m struck by how far we’ve come. 2024 was a year of bold conversations, shared learning, and meaningful progress. Women in Work is about bringing people together—leaders, organisations, and advocates—to drive the change we so urgently need. And this year, we’ve done just that.
Here’s a look at some of the defining moments we shared:
Davos: A Seat at the Global Table | January 2024
We kicked off the year at Davos, the world’s stage for big ideas and even bigger actions. In partnership with CNBC and Mount Sinai Health System, we hosted an intimate breakfast that brought together 27 senior women from financial and tech sectors. The conversation was raw, insightful, and filled with hope for what’s possible.
Some of the key themes included:
Men as allies: If we want real equity, men must be part of the solution—not just supporting but actively championing change.
The power of transparency: Sharing open policies and practices isn’t just about accountability; it’s about breaking stigmas and inspiring others.
Data matters: Numbers don’t lie. Data builds undeniable cases for equity and drives real change.
Closing the gaps: From the motherhood penalty to health inequities, addressing these systemic challenges will transform lives—and economies.
We also attended McKinsey’s event, led by the brilliant Lucy Perez, to launch the "Closing the Women’s Health Gap" report. It’s staggering to think that addressing this gap could add $1 trillion annually to the global economy by 2040. Proof, if ever it was needed, that investing in women’s health isn’t just fair—it’s essential.
Seattle: A New Chapter | June 2024
June saw the debut of Women in Work Seattle, hosted by our wonderful friends at Microsoft. This was a truly dynamic gathering, with over 100 leaders and changemakers coming together to share ideas and tackle challenges head-on.
The event culminated in an inspiring first-ever meeting of women’s ERG leaders from across the Pacific Northwest. Seeing these incredible women collaborate and share their wisdom left us all energised and hopeful for what lies ahead.
Cannes Lions: Creativity Meets Equity | June 2024
This summer, we joined forces with NBCUniversal at Cannes Lions, the beating heart of the creative industries. Over breakfast, Julia Boorstin moderated a riveting discussion with trailblazers like Cindy Gallop, Madeline Di Nonno, and Nishma Patel Robb.
Key takeaways included:
Diversity drives success: Prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn’t just good practice—it’s smart business.
Parental leave as a game-changer: Diageo’s six-month policy for all employees set the bar high, showing how empathy can reshape workplace culture.
Representation matters: Media must reflect the world we live in—because when it does, it changes the narrative for everyone.
Women in Work UK Summit | September 2024
This September, over 500 changemakers, business leaders, and advocates joined us at London’s King’s Place for the Women in Work UK Summit. It was a day brimming with energy, passion, and purpose, featuring an exceptional lineup of speakers who inspired and challenged us to think bigger.
The event opened with a compelling keynote from Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4, who spoke about the power of representation in media and the importance of bringing diverse voices to leadership roles. She was joined by Lord Stuart Rose, Chair of Asda, who shared his reflections on driving cultural change within large organisations.
Panel discussions and key takeaways included:
Breaking barriers: Ednah Otieno from Diageo reaffirmed their goal of 50:50 leadership representation, providing a roadmap for others to follow.
Parental equity in action: Elliott Rae and George Gabriel highlighted the rise of equal parental leave policies in the UK, with companies offering equal leave growing from 85 in 2023 to 123 in 2024. Their stories reinforced the economic and social benefits of rethinking traditional leave structures.
Health equity: Dame Lesley Regan and Dame Jane Dacre reminded us that women’s health requires a shift in focus—from simply extending lifespans to enhancing healthspans.
The day also offered workshops and interactive sessions on key topics like closing the pay gap, building inclusive cultures, and creating actionable DE&I strategies.
The culmination of the summit was the launch of the WiW Gender Equity Measure (GEM) Report—a pioneering tool assessing gender equity across 400 UK businesses. This first-of-its-kind report spotlighted leaders like Accenture, Ikea, Estée Lauder, and Diageo, setting the stage for ongoing accountability and progress.
The summit wasn’t just a day of discussion—it was a call to action. Attendees left with clear strategies, renewed motivation, and a sense of being part of something bigger.
New York: A Bold Close to 2024 | November 2024
Our year ended on a high note with the Women in Work New York Summit. Hosted by Tamsen Fadal and Samantha Skey, the day brought together a stellar lineup of speakers to discuss intersectionality, allyship, and workplace policies.
Highlights included:
Closing the gap: Caroline Fairchild reminded us that the gender gap is still projected to take 48 years to close. We must act faster.
Men in the conversation: Jennifer McCollum emphasised how male allyship accelerates equity—96% of organisations see better progress when men are involved.
Menopause matters: We premiered The M Factor, a groundbreaking documentary on menopause, proving that this isn’t just a moment—it’s a movement.
Looking Ahead to 2025
From Davos to New York, from health equity to creative representation, 2024 has proven that gender equity is not just the right thing to do—it’s an economic and societal imperative.
To all our partners, speakers, and attendees: thank you. You’ve made this year unforgettable, and your passion inspires us to keep going.
Here’s to an even bolder, brighter 2025. Let’s make change happen—faster.
Visit womeninworkgroup.com for more highlights and insights. And stay tuned for details on our events at Davos 2025.
