On March 6th, the Cognito team gathered with clients and friends in London for our annual International Women’s Day breakfast – a moment to reflect, connect, and champion change.
This is an event that is close to my heart. It started out five years ago, almost a week before the Covid lockdown, finding solidarity, strength and therapy (!) through our subsequent zoom calls over G&Ts. Now, our gathering has doubled in size, a testament to the strength of this community and the power of shared purpose that brings us together.
Making a Difference Through Everyday Actions
This year’s discussion theme was simple yet powerful: small beginnings can lead to big outcomes. Amidst the challenges we see from the rollback of DEI initiatives in global corporations or the wider socio-political shifts – we have to ask: what can we do in our everyday actions, to push progress forward?
We looked to the female leaders who have inspired us over the past year. Kamala Harris, recognized as one of the FT’s most influential women, has stood up for women’s rights on the global stage. Closer to home, leaders like Alex McMahon, the newly appointed CEO of ING Bank, remind us that progress is happening—right here, in the Square Mile. This moment in time is now more important than ever to focus on the positive stories and actions we can all take in our everyday lives that will accelerate change.
Finding Strength in Each Other
As Eleanor Roosevelt famously said, “A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until she’s in hot water.”
Over breakfast, we shared insights, experiences, and ways we can each contribute to positive change. When workplaces prioritize inclusion, everyone benefits. Everyone was invited to note down a key action they’d take away from the morning – because these small commitments add up to real impact.
As is tradition and in a nod to International Book Day, we also exchanged book and podcast recommendations, keeping the conversation alive beyond just one morning. See the full list below for our recommendations.
Carrying the Momentum Forward
As we closed the event, we reflected on the words of Serena Williams:
“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.”
Despite the challenges we face, gatherings like this remind us of the power we have when we come together. Thank you to everyone who joined, shared, and contributed—you left us feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to take action in the year ahead.
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
- Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neil (the bias in AI one)
- Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
- Likeable Badass by Alison Fragale
- Conversations of Love by Natasha Lunn
- The End of Bias by Jessica Nordell
Podcasts
- HBR Women at Work
- How to Fail, Elizabeth Day
- Closet Confessions
TV
- A Netflix show called Coded Bias, which is also about bias in AI in which Cathy O’Neil features
