Travel retail voices come together to Accelerate Action on International Women’s Day (Part 1)

Introduction: As the travel retail industry marks International Women’s Day 2025, the call to Accelerate Action has never been more urgent. Across the sector, men and women alike are recognising that gender equality requires more than just conversation – it demands real, measurable change.

This year’s theme is a powerful reminder that progress needs action. From ensuring equal opportunities in leadership and mentorship to fostering inclusive work environments, those in the industry are championing initiatives that go beyond International Women’s Day. Whether through company-wide policies, grassroots efforts or personal commitments, they are shaping a future where diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded in the fabric of the workplace.

We asked leaders from across travel retail to share what Accelerate Action means to them. Their voices highlight the industry’s collective determination to break barriers, challenge biases and create a more inclusive future. From driving policy changes to celebrating women’s achievements, these perspectives underscore a shared commitment to ensuring that gender equality is not just an aspiration – but an ongoing reality.

KOSÉ Corporation DECORTÉ Division Brand Marketing Specialist & Sales Strategy Tamaki Hasegawa

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Decorté will be hosting the ‘KIHIN to the Future’ exhibition, showcasing women artisans in the traditional crafts industry. The exhibition will take place at our concept store, Maison KOSÉ in Ginza, with the key message ‘Find Your True Beauty’. Each of their stories will be featured on a dedicated page on the Decorté website.

This event started in 2022, and in 2023 DECORTÉ launched a limited-edition product inspired by the Mimosa, the symbol flower of International Women’s Day. A portion of the profits is donated to aid arts and crafts initiatives at the Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto, which aims to support the next generation of traditional artisans.

Lacoste Travel Retail Director APAC Erin Lillis

Within our Lacoste APAC HQ here in Hong Kong we are always creating moments to Accelerate Action. I personally lead many of the areas, including female guest speakers at power lunches for the team, mentorship programmes, flexible work arrangements, installing a nursing room in our office, yoga, meditation and breathwork classes are coming soon too.

I’m on the steering committee for WiTR+ (Women in Travel Retail+), along with some exceptional women from our industry, creating networking, mentoring, webinars and annual charitable schemes for women and children.

ARI Global PR & Marketing Manager Denise Sheridan

I am proud to work with a team of phenomenal women who are talented, passionate and driven. For me, Accelerating Action is about making sure that their voices are heard and encouraging them to trust in their worth. The more voices we have, the better we will be as a business, as a community, as a society.

Personally, I will be spending IWD with my two young sons and continuing to set an example of how strong women show up every day.

Blueprint Partnership Partner Sonja Soskic

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the authenticity, compassion, inclusiveness and brave achievements of women from all walks of life.

At Blueprint, we celebrate these universal values and believe in Accelerating Action. As WiTR+ members, we are an active part of the association’s mentorship programme. As business development consultants we go to extra lengths to support companies with value-driven leadership and we are committed to equal opportunity within our team.

As we all know change doesn’t happen overnight, it happens through collective action. Together, we can build a future where everyone, including women, has the opportunity to succeed.

Baroque & Rose Founder and CEO Miriam Ciantar 

A woman’s role is the cornerstone of society, often underestimated and taken for granted. Our first responsibility is to care for our families, serving as the pillars that uphold the fabric of our communities. As women, it is our duty to support one another – whether in the workplace or in our personal lives. Watching a woman grow and flourish is a beautiful thing, and the impact she creates is immeasurable.

Today, I am embracing much-needed rest and self-love, honouring the strength and dedication that women bring to the world every day.

L’Oréal Travel Retail Vice President Communications & Engagement Delphine Nathan

This International Women’s Day, I’m celebrating the chance to inspire my daughter by pursuing challenging work at a company like L’Oréal, which truly values diversity, equity and inclusion. It’s a privilege to contribute to a more inclusive world, both inside and outside the workplace.

Mondelēz International Head of Customer Marketing World Travel Retail Beatriz de Otto

International Women’s Day is a moment to reflect on how far we have come, while recognising that there is always room for growth. At Mondelēz, we are committed to leading change by collectively Accelerating Action for gender equality. Our focus is on creating a space where women are not only included, but actively supported in reaching their full potential.

This year, Mondelēz, apart from an internal global session, has launched an internal initiative through which employees can show their gratitude to those colleagues demonstrating inclusive behaviours every day. While International Women’s Day is important, our holistic approach to diversity and inclusion operations ensure that these values are carried through everything that we do throughout the year.

L’Oréal Travel Retail Communications & Engagement Management Kirane Asif 

At L’Oréal, we believe every woman is worth it. This International Women’s Day I celebrate the inspiring women around me, capturing their unique smiles and strengths through my lens. They deserve to be seen and celebrated, and their stories makes me stronger.

Victorinox Head of Global Travel Retail & Fragrance Sales Gloria Dix

International Women’s Day holds a special place in my heart. It’s not just about celebrating us as women, but also about the unity it brings. Last year I organised a LinkedIn campaign with my female colleagues to celebrate our strength and togetherness, sharing heartfelt messages and forming heart poses with our fingers.

This year, I’m thrilled to host a ladies night for casual drinks with my women colleagues, where we can enjoy each other’s company and create wonderful memories together.

Both activities were organised independently of Victorinox and are fully voluntarily, since it is all about coming together, having fun, and celebrating our amazing community.

As we celebrate, let’s remember to Accelerate Action, we must unite our efforts and amplify our voices, regardless of our companies.

Schiphol Airport Retail Marketing A&P &Communication Manager Lana Shaheen

At Schiphol Airport Retail, our team is built on talent, dedication, and hard work, 60% of which comes from the incredible women within our organisation. This International Women’s Day, we proudly supporting Free a Girl in their mission to protect and empower young girls for a better future.

Lindt & Sprüngli Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Theresa Wohlleber

I will be celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day at a small informal lunch gathering with other incredible female leaders at Lindt & Sprüngli. An opportunity to connect, network and exchange on topics that matter to women in the workplace. It is simple things like taking the time to listen and support each other in unlocking our potential that will Accelerate Action.

L’Oréal Travel Retail APAC Director of Communications and Engagement Isabelle Lim

It has always been my heartfelt passion and commitment to support communities and provide help to those in need. This International Women’s Day, we will be sharing care packs of women-essential products to more than 1,000 women. This includes local grass root community projects that encourage women to take care of their health through fitness activities; as well as women who have taken time out to help other women over the years, and who should also be given love and support to uplift them even as they care for others.

Shiseido Travel Retail Vice President Human Resources Wendy Tai

International Women’s Day is both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the work still ahead. At Shiseido Travel Retail, we continue to Accelerate Action by championing education for marginalised communities as a force for change.

This year, we are partnering with Books Beyond Borders to fund scholarships through the purchase of greeting cards. Each card purchased directly supports a girl’s education. Within our own organisation, we are committed to fostering a workplace where women can thrive – through leadership development and flexible work policies that drive meaningful, lasting progress. Real change happens when empowerment turns into opportunity, and that is what we strive for every day.

DFS Group Executive Vice President Human Resources Alex Richardson

DFS Group’s headquarter office in Hong Kong is organising a Mentoring Walk to give women employees access to senior leaders and gain valuable advice for their professional growth. This provides women with leadership training to equip them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to advance in their careers.

In DFS stores across the globe, IWD-themed gifts are distributed to frontline employees, with message sharing during store briefings and networking opportunities. All initiatives are designed to Accelerate Action to nurture future women leaders and promote gender equity in our workplace.

Gebr. Heinemann Director Corporate Communications and External Affairs Nina Semprecht

As a mom of a girl and a boy and a strong believer in ying and yang, I am struggling with celebrating International Women’s Day. But if there is a message I would like to spread – especially to younger colleagues and friends, it is: Stay true to yourself. Don’t try to live up to other people’s standards.

I am doing a job I love for a company that gives me the freedom to thrive, but the best decision in my life was to become a mom. There’s nothing that gives me more purpose and sense of belonging than these two wonders.

But I am no role model. That’s my way. It may not be yours. Stay true to yourself, pursue your personal happiness, and choose your partner wisely.

Parfums Christian Dior  Global Travel Retail Marketing Director Elodie Planchon

At Parfums Christian Dior, with a workforce of 78% women, we’re committed to fostering sisterhood, inclusion and equity. I’m proud to be part of a great team and surrounded by inspiring women.

Personally, I do encourage the younger generation to dare: dare to be themselves, dare to take bold initiatives and innovate.

International Women’s Day is an occasion to celebrate not only what unites us but also what makes us unique.

King of Reach by B&S Global Marketing Communications Director Konstantina Tagkouli

At B&S Group, we’re not just opening doors for women – we’re ensuring they walk through them as leaders. Through inclusive hiring, succession planning and unconscious bias training, we’re creating real opportunities.

More than 70 managers have completed inclusive leadership training, and we’re expanding flexible working policies and investing in accessible facilities because true inclusion means removing barriers at every level.

As Marketing Director at King of Reach, I know representation isn’t just about visibility – it’s about real change. Through our campaigns, content and culture, we push for authentic inclusion, ensuring our brand reflects the diverse world we serve.

This International Women’s Day, I’m celebrating with the incredible women at my office – the ones who lead, inspire and lift others up every day. Because empowered women empower others – creating a ripple effect that transforms our industry.  Change isn’t a trend; it’s a movement. Let’s keep driving action together.

Forward Keys Marketing Strategist Supriya Gurbaxani

With women making up 47% of our team at ForwardKeys, we’re proud to be breaking barriers in the data-tech space. But representation alone isn’t enough – true inclusion means enabling women to thrive. Our flexible work culture allows many of us, especially mothers, to balance work and life seamlessly.

This year, IWD is about Accelerating Action and for me, that means giving back. I’ve been supported by incredible women throughout my journey, and now it’s my turn to uplift, mentor and help build confidence in the next generation. I’ll be celebrating with my team, sharing insights and encouraging open conversations on how we can empower more women in tech.

Pi Insight Research Manager Louisa McCoy

This International Women’s Day I’ll be wearing purple to champion the cause of accelerating gender parity, as will my colleagues at Pi Insight, where females make up the majority of the team.

At Pi Insight we work hard to ensure inclusivity and cater for different lifestyles.  For example, it can sometimes be difficult to juggle my leadership role at Pi Insight with the demands I have as a single mother of two young children. However, with the option to work flexibly around my commitments as a mother, and with the constant support of the team at Pi, I can thrive in my position, progress in my career and also ensure my children are provided with all the love and support they need.

Mast-Jägermeister SE Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Stepanie Cleary

I will be marking IWD this year by keeping the focus of gender equality at the top of mind, even in 2025. Within Mast Jägermeister, diversity, equity and inclusion is a key focus, which involves awareness programmes. This is also supported by recruiting, retaining and developing diverse talent.

Avolta Global Senior Vice President of Culture, Engagement & Development Natasha Biswas

Avolta is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of gender, has access to the same opportunities and support. We recognise that change happens when we talk about challenges and biases, and then commit to finding solutions and taking action. Some of our key achievements in the past year include our recent achievement of EDGE Certification, an important step in our commitment to workplace gender equity.

Equally, we also launched our first Gender Equity Employee Resource Group, which creates a platform for visibility and to challenge the obstacles impacting career growth. We also continue to invest in leadership development, mentoring and learning opportunities to create more pathways for women to advance. Within Avolta, we encourage those open conversations that are helping us to play our part in Accelerating Action across the business.

Avolta Commercial Director LATAM Beatriz Macedo

The theme of this years’ International Women’s Day, Accelerate Action, closely aligns with Avolta’s commitment to empower women and break barriers, ensuring that opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of gender. Some of the ways we are doing this include encouraging more women to step into leadership roles by investing in mentoring, sponsorship and professional growth programmes.

We are building a culture of recognition and opportunity, ensuring that women’s performance, talent and potential are recognised and rewarded fairly. However, progress is only meaningful if we keep pushing forward, so we are proud to be part of this global day that marks a call to action for accelerating gender equity.

Avolta CEO Southern Europe Isabel Zarza

On International Women’s Day, I will celebrate by recognising the incredible achievements of women around the world and reflecting on the strides we have made together. At Avolta, and particularly in Southern Europe, women are leading some of the most influential countries with exceptional results. Actions speak louder than words and this is the way we are demonstrating our path towards real actions, prioritising inclusive leadership, fostering equal opportunities and leading by example.

Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail Communications and S&R Manager Charlotte Turner

This year I will be celebrating International Women’s Day in multiple ways and it will not be isolated to just one day. At work, among a host of activities on offer, I will set aside time to join a Global DE&I Webinar on the Power of Psychological Safety with a prominent neuroscientist. At home, I will take this opportunity to applaud the little ladies in my life – my two daughters who are my limitless source of inspiration.

Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail is proud of the many ways in which it Accelerates Action. This year, it will introduce a new initiative to bring female colleagues closer together, to share and benefit from one another’s skills and expertise. And through the company’s network for women and allies, Libra, we are all encouraged to lift up women in our organisation, supporting, educating, connecting and empowering each other to inspire the next generation, not just for IWD, but for everyday.

Butlers Chocolates Marketing Director Aisling Walsh

International Women’s Day is of course an important day in our calendar to be celebrated with and by the women in Butlers Chocolates.

Our company was founded by an enterprising woman, Marion Butler, in 1932 and, happily for all of us who have followed after, Butlers has always been a gender-balanced company. As a woman who has worked there for more years than I will publicly admit, it has been wonderful to see the company grow and with this, create lots of opportunities for all (women and men, to be honest) to cultivate their careers.

IWD 2025 is all about Accelerating Action. At Butlers, we accelerate action every day. We work hard to create a workplace whereby people can thrive; we do this every day and don’t just leave it to IWD. Our ESG plan has sustainable sourcing as one if its core principles.

Safe to say though, on the day itself, all of us at Butlers will be hopeful that Ireland will accelerate a few early tries against the French.