“Empowered women empower women”

Enjoyed a night of networking as one of the panelists in AKINASIA’s inaugural “Women in…” series in Bangkok. (Really liked those inspiring banners!)

Last night’s four-hour event focused on “Women in Development” and the lively discussion among the panel and with the audience spanned everything from leadership style and challenges, to difficult choices that face women working in development during different periods of their lives.

This covered everything from aspects of diversity in leaders, cross-cultural leadership and mentoring others, a conundrum on collaboration versus assertiveness, to guilt. Also under discussion was whether working in development could be a de facto choice to be single or childless, how organizations could better support young families and dual career couples, and the amping up of demands on women in the “sandwich generation” who have both child care responsibilities — with no family networks in the country they live — and elder care responsibilities — with those elders/parents typically being in another country.