Yes, I know.

International Women’s Day was a few days ago. ‍

And yes, I saw the many thoughtful posts, company announcements, celebratory graphics, and reflections across LinkedIn.

But if I’m being honest, I’m often a little late to post about days like this. Not because I don’t care. Quite the opposite.

It’s because I’ve never believed that something as important as recognizing people’s contributions should be compressed into one day on the calendar.

If you’ve spent any real time in HR, recruiting, or the broader future-of-work ecosystem, you already know this: Women have been shaping this profession for a very long time. And not just participating in it. Leading it. Building it. Improving it.

My Own Career Tells That Story

When I look back on my career – from my time working inside organizations, to building ScaleHR, to launching SocialHRCamp and spending years immersed in the global HR tech ecosystem, one thing becomes very clear. Many of the people who had the greatest influence on my thinking, growth, and career were women.

Some were leaders I worked alongside. 

Some were founders building companies in HR tech. 

Some were HR professionals doing incredibly complex work inside organizations, balancing people, business realities, and constant change. 

Others were community builders creating spaces for HR professionals to learn from each other and push the profession forward. 

Some challenged my thinking.

Some supported me when I needed it.

And some called me out when I needed that the most.‍

Looking back, those moments fundamentally shaped how I think about leadership, work, and the role HR plays inside organizations.

Spend Five Minutes in HR and This Becomes Obvious

One of the most interesting things about the HR profession is how many talented, thoughtful, and influential women are shaping the field. Look across the ecosystem, and you’ll see it everywhere:

• HR leaders guiding organizations through complexity and change
• Founders and executives building the next generation of HR technology
• Consultants and advisors helping organizations think differently about people strategy
• Community leaders bringing professionals together to learn and share

Women are not just part of these conversations. In many cases, they are driving them. And they have been doing so long before “the future of work” became the latest buzzword.

Why One Day Isn’t the Point

International Women’s Day matters. Recognition matters. 

But in my experience, the real impact doesn’t come from one day of attention. It comes from what happens the other 364 days of the year. 

It shows up in:

• who we listen to
• who we collaborate with
• who we trust with leadership
• who we learn from
• and who we support along the way

The HR community understands this better than most. 

Because the work of building strong organizations, healthy cultures, and engaged teams isn’t something that happens once a year.

It’s the work of every day.

A Note of Gratitude

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with, learning from, and collaborating with extraordinary women across this profession. Their leadership, perspective, and willingness to challenge conventional thinking have shaped not only my own career, but the evolution of the HR community itself.

So while I may be a little late posting about International Women’s Day this year, I did want to say this: I’m incredibly grateful for the many women who have shaped my career, influenced my thinking, and continue to move the HR and HR tech ecosystem forward.

If the past couple of decades in this field have taught me anything, it’s this: The future of work isn’t just being shaped by women. In many ways, it already has been for a very long time. And that’s something worth recognizing, not just when the calendar reminds us, but all year long.

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