International Women’s Day - Interview with Phoebe MacLeay

Interview with Phoebe MacLeay - Head of Psychological Services

What does IWD mean to you? 

Throughout history, in the present, and in the future, women courageously navigate challenges, expectations, and barriers unique to our gender.

To me, International Women’s Day is about standing proudly in solidarity with women, amplifying our collective voice and demanding a world for all women that is free from gender inequality

Do you think it’s important? Why?

International Women’s Day allows us to celebrate all that has come before us in the fight for gender equality. It also allows us the ability to discover and voice the emerging inequalities that arise from our changing world.

Women today face new and evolving challenges that continually redefine what it means to achieve “true equality”. We must take advantage of these moments and leverage them to uncover both the present and future needs of women.   

Who inspired you to be a leader and why?

My inspiration doesn’t come from one person but from several remarkable women I have had the privilege of working at different stages of my life. Though they come from varied backgrounds and roles, they share a common quality, being that they have the courage to be vulnerable and to show up as their whole, authentic selves.

For women, vulnerability carries more than just the risk of exposure or failure; it bears the weight of societal expectations, biases, and the pressure to conform. Yet, these women stand firm in their beliefs, challenge norms, and redefine leadership and success on their own terms.

Humble beyond measure, these women likely have no idea of the impact they have had on the people around them. They have shown me that true leadership isn’t about striving for perfection or someone else’s idea of success but instead it’s about showing up for yourself, staying true to who you are, and inspiring others to have the confidence to do the same.