March 8th is International Women’s Day, a day in which we celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias, and act for equality. This year, the theme is #AccelerateAction. Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both within personal and professional spaces.
We spoke with Beth Burgoyne who works in the finance sector as a Practice Manager at Clearwater Wealth Management.
As a Practice Manager in the finance sector, Beth Burgoyne’s key objective is to empower professionals by giving them the guidance they need to make informed decisions on their finances. She is passionate about educating people and helping them create a road map for the future.
Her purpose is to provide everyone she speaks to with uncomplicated holistic advice and strategies that facilitate the achievement of their goals whether it be on pensions and retirement, estate planning, tax efficiency, investment management and protection.
Check out the full interview below:
NKD: The 8th of March marks International Women’s Day. What are your thoughts and feelings around this day?
Beth Burgoyne: I feel somewhat conflicted about the day, to be honest. On one hand, it’s a day that fills me with a deep sense of empowerment and pride. It’s a time to reflect on how far I’ve come, the progress that’s been made, and to celebrate not just my own achievements but also the women around me who are doing incredible things. There’s something quite uplifting about coming together with other women and sharing that collective strength.
However, on the other hand, I can’t help but feel frustrated. We’re still living in a world where such a day is necessary—where women continue to face challenges, where gender equality hasn’t yet been fully achieved, and where we still have to push for recognition and change.
In terms of the day itself, I do appreciate the love, support, and recognition that come with it. It’s a wonderful feeling to see people acknowledge the hard work and strength of women, and the solidarity is incredibly meaningful. However, I do wish that this kind of recognition and encouragement weren’t confined to just one day a year. These are the kinds of values we should be practicing and reinforcing every single day. We should be supporting each other, lifting each other up, and recognising women’s contributions on a daily basis, not just as part of a celebration on a specific date.
NKD: So Beth, are there any ways you actively champion gender equality?
Beth: I believe that, on a daily basis, the most important thing is to treat everyone with equal respect and kindness, regardless of their gender. This might sound simple, but it’s truly where we can start making a difference—by modelling the behaviour we want to see in the world. In doing so, you are not only contributing to a more inclusive environment, but you are also actively embodying the change that you wish to see in others.
Sometimes, when it comes to championing gender equality, it’s not always about solely advocating for women or focusing on one particular group. Rather, it’s about supporting and encouraging the equality of all people around you. It’s about creating a culture where everyone, regardless of their gender, feels valued and equal. Women don’t want to be placed above men—they simply want to be treated as equals to men and all other genders. The ultimate goal is equality, not hierarchy.
So, I think it’s incredibly important to remember that the way we act can have a big impact on those around us. We should strive to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves—with kindness, respect, and dignity. If we all approach each other in this way, we can begin to break down barriers and build a more equal society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of gender.
NKD: What do you think are the most important actions that organisations can take right now to accelerate gender equality in the workplace, and how can these changes can be sustained?
Beth: I think the point about acceleration is really important. People can often be slow to make changes or implement them in their lives, but this is something that can no longer be put on the back burner. While it may feel like we’re moving towards change, I believe the gap is actually widening with everything going on in the world at the moment. That’s why it’s crucial to emphasise the need for acceleration and act swiftly in making necessary changes.
When it comes to leaders and businesses, it’s essential to be hyper-aware, not just on International Women’s Day, but every single day, of potential mistreatment or disrespect based on gender. Regardless of how it manifests, it all comes back to the same point—everyone deserves to be treated with equal kindness and respect.
In the finance industry, it can be particularly challenging to bring these issues to light and to feel heard or seen. However, it’s important for companies to make it clear that they are listening, that they are aware of the issues, and that they are creating an environment where people feel comfortable disclosing any misconduct or mistreatment based on gender. I believe this is probably the quickest way to address and eradicate these problems.
Another important step is to review staff demographics. I come from the finance sector, where it’s often a case of ‘the same person copied and pasted’—there’s very little diversity. It’s essential for companies to make sure they are not contributing to the problem by actively encouraging diversity and inclusivity within their workforce.
If you could give one piece of advice to women joining the workforce, what would it be?
Beth: I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time because, at 23, I’m running my own team of 25 and have been working for the past five years. I asked myself, “What would I have wanted to say to my 18-year-old self?” And, interestingly, other women within the finance industry gave me a piece of advice that was incredibly helpful, “believe in yourself and you’ll get there”.
It’s not so much about being a woman, but rather about the fact that everyone experiences self-doubt, regardless of their gender, age, or background. However, as a young woman entering the finance industry, there are additional pressures on you that others may not face, and this can amplify your self-doubt significantly. So believe in yourself, keep acting as if you’re already the person you aspire to be, and the opportunities will eventually come your way, as long as you put in the hard work.
If you maintain the mindset of being a successful woman in whatever industry you choose, you will eventually become that person. It’s worked for me, so I can definitely say it’s a piece of advice worth following.
NKD: Thank you for your thoughts Beth.
For more content on this year’s International Women’s Day campaign, click here.