Put three fearless female financial marcomms leaders on the stage and you might think you’re getting just another IWD event, but this week’s Financial Narrative panel session simply blew me away. And from the audience’s reaction and follow up, it’s fair to say that an event which required us to get extra seats out to fit everyone in, played its small part in helping everyone think about how they might Give to Gain, the theme of this year’s IWD.

Three women, working in the same industry, with such different backgrounds, stories and perspectives. Yet three women who faced the same challenges, the same barriers, the same blockers – and have risen to overcome them.

Finding their own paths, their own place – through re-creation and reinvention, brave and confident leadership, through sheer will, tenacity and hard graft. Finding their place, finding the sponsors and mentors that were the wings beneath and around them, finding their way to help next generations rise.

Yet when we turned to the audience and asked how many had sponsors advocating on their behalf; how many felt confident asking for what they wanted in their workplace; the reality was stark. Few hands in the air, few voices yet heard; so much progress still to be made. Yet the questions for our panellists came and the counsel was strong and clear: stand up, be heard, ask for help, ask the question, be seen. And for those already risen, sponsor more, mentor more, advocate more, listen more, and play your part for the next.

For progress can and will be made. Shaping the futures for women we hope will never even know our actions as they sit confidently and proudly at their table. For with fearless leaders such as those we heard from, and so many gathered, ready to hear, to learn and to play their part, if we all just give a little to help others gain, the change we all seek will come.

So “what pledge will you take away for IWD?” we asked the panellists, and I refrained from an immediate answer. Yet in the conversations afterwards I was asked one thing on repeat, to develop a mentor programme within Financial Narrative. Bring action to the conversation. Help this wonderful community support and help each other. And so my pledge is to try to meet that need. To see if we can find a way to bring mentorship to you. And my ask in return is that if you’d like to be involved, perhaps make that your pledge – to help us build mentoring in a shape that would work for you.