International Women's Day 2025: Celebrating collaboration
International Women's Day (IWD) has been around for over a hundred years, as have many of the issues still impacting women's advancement. Collaboration is key to advancing gender equality. With the planned merger of Melin Homes and Newport City Homes on the horizon, this is something that will be at the heart of our new organisation - Hedyn.
Ysgrifennwyd gan Will
—07 Maw, 2025
We caught up with two positive women, who are at the heart of shaping Hedyn. They share some thoughts on what inspires them - and how we can all help women thrive.
Paula Kennedy, Group CEO Designate of Hedyn
As a female CEO, what would be your advice to aspiring women leaders starting out today?
My advice to aspiring women leaders would be to define what success means to you and remain focused on your aspirations, recognise your worth and don't be afraid to pursue opportunities or ask for what you deserve. Remember to encourage and uplift other women in the industry - collective support will strengthen the presence of women in leadership roles.
You have worked in social housing since 1991, why do you think it is so important to have women in leadership roles?
My experience is that gender diverse leadership teams lead to more well-rounded decisions that focus on holistic and collaborative approaches informed by engagement with colleagues, residents and wider stakeholders.
I also believe that seeing women in leadership roles will inspire the next generation of women to pursue careers not just in housing but in leadership roles more widely which can only be a good thing!
Shelly McGuire, Chair of the Melin and Newport City Homes Joint Customer Panel (JCP)
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
For me International Women's Day is a chance to celebrate all the positive things being a woman brings. Women still face challenges in society and it's a day of acknowledging those hardships as well as amplifying all the good things we as women achieve, shining a light on the strength and the resilience that women have.
What do you think is the key to helping people, particularly women, to thrive in the workplace?
For women to thrive in the workplace, I think we must look at the barriers that stop women achieving and climbing the ladder. Putting processes and support in place to create an environment that encourages equity. This could be through training; encouraging women to retrain and gain extra qualifications, equal pay for equal work, flexible hours, childcare support and to make sure we let women have the opportunities for their creativity to shine.
