International Women’s Day 2025: ‘Show up to make a difference’

As the world came together to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, Microsoft UK, in collaboration with LinkedIn, hosted its own event on 6 March with the theme: ‘Investing in our Future: Enable. Empower. Elevate’. Here Microsoft’s UK HR Director Keyonda Gallardo reflects on her learnings from the day.

I recently joined Microsoft’s UK business following 8 years based in the US, so this was my first International Women’s Day in London. It was an amazing opportunity to partner closely with our LinkedIn colleagues – collectively we have an Employee Resource Group network of 3,000 women.

Stepping into our LinkedIn office, it was inspiring to feel the power and energy that bringing many people together virtually and in person generates.  

This year’s theme was Investing in Our Future – Enable, Empower, Elevate. It was so interesting taking part in sessions covering topics such as ‘Investing in Female Founders’, ‘Levelling Up Careers’, ‘The Evolution of Allyship’, ‘Diversity and Inclusion in the Digital Age’ and ‘The Interplay of Climate and Gender’.

I learned so much and ended the day with a strong sense of pride at how far we’ve come, but also a realisation that challenges remain:

1. How can we continue to support one another at work, but also bridge the gaps with allies?

2. How do we create an environment where everyone can be their best selves and achieve their career aspirations?

3. What more can we do so that this doesn’t feel like a one-off event?

We need to ensure that we’re working to create the best experience for everyone day in, day out, not just once or twice a year. IWD needs to be a celebration of what we’ve achieved, but also a day on which we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to making things even better.

Sharing knowledge

Microsoft’s Chief AI Transformation Officer Pam Maynard and I started the day with a fireside chat in which we shared our career journeys. I was really moved by the level of engagement in the room and online. It was also great to hear that our stories provided helpful tips that were relevant in the current environment.

I really believe there is power in sharing learnings (both what worked and what didn’t), as it can sometimes help others see what’s possible and give them concrete examples (or ideas) that could help unlock their own careers.

This is not just important for those early-in-career, it can also be a game-changer for a variety of situations.

Challenging perfection

Pam and I also discussed some of the challenges we faced during the earlier part of our careers – challenges that many women still face today.

Often, I would put extra pressure on myself to be perfect. I felt the need to check every box before putting my hand up. This extra pressure that I put on myself was not warranted.

In hindsight, I wish I’d been more focused on learning (versus proving myself) and had given myself the space and permission to try new things simply just to learn and grow.

There’s so much more we can do to help women who feel this way.

Building networks

We also discussed mentorship versus sponsorship and the importance of building a diverse network of people who are there to help you learn and stretch.

At Microsoft, we work in a hybrid environment, so making connections can be a bit harder, but we simply have to make time to build these human networks.

Importance of allyship

Allyship is important to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and can thrive.

One theme that resonated strongly with me was the need for more consistent support from male allies across Microsoft and LinkedIn.

An event like International Women’s Day is one example of how men can show up to support female co-workers. It was great to have some allies in the room for this important day.

The discussion topics provided great information on what’s working in the workplace and what additional support is needed.

I’d love to learn more from our allies – specifically what challenges they face being an ally. Understanding both perspectives is important as we continue to strengthen allyship in the workplace.  

Diversity and AI

Looking to the future, I see immense potential for AI to unlock opportunities for women in the workplace. As Pam said in her keynote: “The whole ethos is that for AI to be successful, it must be inclusive.”

Microsoft UK CEO Darren Hardman summed it up well when he said: “I’m excited by the potential AI has in this space. We’re building technology that can remove barriers and level the playing field for everyone.

“Self-awareness, aided by technology, can help us be better allies and turn up more effectively for others as we always seek to improve.”

There are some specific examples of how AI can help unlock opportunities for women in the workplace.

For networking, AI can be a game changer, making connecting easier in a hybrid work environment and matching employees with willing mentors who have suitable backgrounds and personalities.

Additionally, it could also be used to help individuals manage their careers more effectively.

I see a world where AI can help individuals more deeply understand their strengths and development opportunities, and use that information either to find jobs that fit their specific profile, or map out a career plan that takes into account roles for developmental purposes.

Final thoughts

International Women’s Day 2025 was a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and shared vision.

I ended the day feeling confident that Microsoft’s commitment to inclusive AI remains steadfast. By investing in diverse talent, fostering an inclusive culture, and developing AI technologies, I firmly believe we’re not only enabling and empowering individuals, but also elevating society as a whole.