Celebrating International Women’s Day: The Power and Impact of Women in Leadership

Each year on March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) — a global day recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while also calling attention to the continued work needed to achieve gender equity.

The history of International Women’s Day dates back to the early 1900s, emerging from labor movements advocating for fair pay, improved working conditions, and voting rights for women. In 1911, the first official International Women’s Day was celebrated across several European countries, and over the past century the day has grown into a global moment of reflection, celebration, and action.

At Velir x Brooklyn Data, we are proud to be a woman-led organization, guided by our CEO Wendy Karlyn and supported by an exceptional group of women in senior leadership roles. Their perspectives, experiences, and leadership styles strengthen our culture, shape our strategy, and drive meaningful impact for our employees, clients, and the communities we live in. For us, International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a reminder of the responsibility we have as an organization to champion diverse leadership and create pathways for future generations of women leaders.

While tremendous progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles across many industries. That’s why representation, visibility, and opportunity remain critically important. For us, International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a reminder of the responsibility we have as an organization to champion diverse leadership and create pathways for future generations of women leaders.

Why Women in Leadership Matters

Research consistently shows that companies with diverse leadership teams are more innovative, more resilient, and deliver stronger business performance. But beyond the data, representation in leadership creates something even more powerful: possibility.

When women see other women leading, making decisions, and shaping the direction of an organization, it signals that leadership is accessible and achievable.

We believe leadership diversity leads to better ideas, better collaboration, and better outcomes.

Hear Directly from Our Leaders

Today, we celebrate the power, resilience, and leadership of women everywhere — and especially the incredible women who help lead our organization.

Their leadership reflects what we believe at our core: when women lead, organizations thrive.

They challenge conventions. They build inclusive cultures. They create space for others to grow. They lead with clarity, empathy, and strength.

We asked several of our women leaders to share their perspectives on why women in leadership remains so important today. Their answers are below…

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg said ‘Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.’ To achieve this, as a society, we need to continue to break the bias on how leadership “should” look and embrace diversity of thought, work styles and talent. When you are part of an underrepresented group, which women are, barriers to get in the room are still an unfortunate reality. My advice is to get a seat at the table you need to bring your own chair. Don’t wait for the invitation. For all the women blazing trails and dreaming of leading don’t give up. The strength, intelligence and empathy women bring to leadership drive great business outcomes. Keep showing up fearlessly and remember that every time you face adversity and push through it, it makes a difference, opens doors for other women and it will change how the world sees leadership.”

- Wendy Karlyn, CEO

“I have come to believe that we strengthen our leadership ability when we stop trying to fit a "mold" for what leadership should look like and start leading in ways that feel more like us. When women lead as themselves, it creates permission for others to do the same. And in doing that, we don’t just open doors for other women — we redefine leadership for everyone.”

- Vaiva Vaisnys, Chief People Officer

“I believe women make incredible leaders because of their authenticity. For so long, women have been told that in order to lead effectively they needed to emulate traditional masculine leadership styles. But authentic leadership is far more powerful and is what truly shapes the culture of an organization. When women leaders show up as their genuine selves, they create space for others to do the same. So let’s be unapologetically confident in our vision and own our voices. Let’s boldly define our own leadership styles and the kind of impact we want to have. And most importantly, let’s celebrate each other’s individuality and continue lifting one another up along the way.”

- Adrienne Parker, SVP Client Services

"When I think about women in leadership, and leadership more broadly, I believe there’s room for all of us. The power of women in leadership isn’t just about taking a seat at the table. It’s about expanding the table and the conversation, so more voices and perspectives are truly part of the work. That’s when better ideas and better outcomes happen. "

- Eliza Pare, VP Client Services

"Serena Williams once said 'Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another, we're strongest when we cheer each other on'. I'm a big believer of encouraging women at work and think we're here to lift each other up especially when you're in a leadership role.

- Wendy Hensel, VP Client Services

“I believe the power of women in leadership lies not just in representation, but in impact. When women lead, they change more than the numbers. They change the conversation. Through empathy, creativity, and collaboration, women leaders create space for bold ideas and stronger teams. They help build cultures where people feel supported and valued. That impact goes far beyond the moment. It shapes the future by influencing the next generation of leaders and building organizations that are more innovative, more resilient, and more human for years to come”

- Nicole DuRand, VP, Managed Services

“I don’t lead to be the loudest in the room. I lead to make the room braver — to raise the standard, protect the vision, and remind people they are capable of more than they’re playing at.”

- Alicia Johnson, Senior Director, Partnerships

“When women lead, support one another, and lift each other up, we create space for more voices to be heard—especially for those who may not yet feel empowered to speak. By leading with resilience and determination, women not only challenge barriers but also inspire the next generation to believe in their own potential”

- Meredith Musumeci, Senior Agency Marketing Manager

“I don't want to be the smartest person in the room, I want to be the most impactful.”

- Nirmin Daredia, Associate Director, Data Solutions

At Velir x Brooklyn Data, the power of women isn’t just something to recognize today — it’s something we champion every day. We’re committed to continuing to elevate women’s voices, invest in their growth, and build a future where leadership is defined by talent, vision, and opportunity for all.