International Women’s Day began more than 100 years ago with the vision of activist Theresa Malkiel. Born in Ukraine in 1874, she fled persecution in the Russian Empire and made the transatlantic voyage to America with her family at just 17.
Eighteen years later, Malkiel founded National Women’s Day, which drew a sizable crowd in New York in 1909. By March 1911, the event had gained momentum, with women in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland joining in to mark the first International Women’s Day.
Today, International Women’s Day is a major part of Women’s History Month every March. It’s a global celebration, with organisations all over the world holding events to mark the occasion and honour the achievements of women everywhere.
At Interpolitan, we involve women in every part of the business and Accelerate Action by creating opportunities for them to learn and grow.
Bringing inspiring women together
We wanted our International Women’s Day event to open doors and inspire people, which is why we chose to host a luncheon. After all, sharing a meal is an age-old tradition and a perfect opportunity to bond in a relaxed atmosphere.
We were intentional when planning every aspect of this event, starting with our keynote speaker. We invited Aaisha Dadral, founder of crave. and Equiano Rum, to share her journey – one marked by entrepreneurial grit, innovation, resilience and reinvention.
Next, we selected our attendees, bringing together a diverse group of women in various career stages, from emerging professionals and rising leaders to seasoned executives and groundbreaking entrepreneurs. We wanted to create a space for learning and connection, where rising leaders could gain insight and mentorship from experienced women who had paved the way.
Great food and wonderful company
On the day of the luncheon, just as noon arrived, our guests began to gather. Some knew one another, while others met for the first time.
The lunch itself was a standout moment, creating a warm and engaging ambience. Guests quickly found common ground, delighting in the menu and filling the room with laughter and life.
The round-table discussion, led by Dadral, added an inspiring and interactive element to the luncheon. An open conversation rather than a traditional speech, the session allowed guests to exchange insights, reflect on their journeys and talk about the challenges and opportunities facing women in business today.
"It was wonderful to meet so many incredible women, share each other’s journeys, and get inspired. The food, the venue, everything was exceptional. I’m sure this will be the first of many,” said Binoli Botadara (Janus Henderson Investors).
Fellow guest Genelle Banton (Gately Global) agreed. “We had a fantastic venue, amazing food, and an amazing host in Faiza from Interpolitan,” she said, explaining that she’d enjoyed learning about keynote speaker Aaisha’s journey and career achievements during "an absolutely beautiful afternoon.”
Ruchira Talwar (FOUNDXRS Club) felt similarly inspired. “I’ve had a wonderful time. It's been inspirational meeting so many formidable women,” she said. “Thank you – thank you for creating this space and for inviting me. The conversation has been great, and I’m truly honoured to have been part of it.”
Launching our RISE initiative
Every initiative, big or small, starts with the kernel of an idea – and at Interpolitan, we welcome ideas from everyone.
Faiza Syed joined Interpolitan Money as director of client strategy and insights just three months ago, and as International Women’s Day approached, she took a moment to reflect.
“What does IWD mean to Interpolitan? How should we mark the day?” she asked. “More importantly, what needs to be done to accelerate action?”
As she spoke to the women across the business, she saw a common theme: they felt empowered by those around them – to lead, drive change and mentor others. It became clear that this wasn’t just an occasion to celebrate, but also a moment to reflect on what had already been achieved and to ask, “What more can we do?”
That reflection became the catalyst for RISE (Reach, Inspire, Support, Empower): a programme dedicated to supporting women at every stage of their careers and equipping them with the skills, confidence and networks to reach their leadership potential.
Over the next year, we’ll work with RISE participants to equip them with the skills, confidence, and connections they need to lead and succeed – and we’ll share more about that as we go along.
Reflecting on an exceptional event
We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the women of Interpolitan and our remarkable guests, whose energy, insight and ambition made this gathering truly special. It was a privilege to bring so many inspiring individuals together, and we’re excited to see the impact of the relationships and ideas sparked during the event.
A final thank you goes to everyone at Interpolitan who has played a part in creating an environment where women thrive. Their dedication helps ensure that the women in our company and beyond have the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
With RISE now underway and plans already in motion for next year’s International Women’s Day luncheon, this is just the beginning. We can't wait to continue the journey together.
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