Estée Lauder Visionaries in Washington D.C
Image: Vital Voices Global Partnership, Washington D.C, March 2023
The first Visionaries Summit was held in Washington DC - a partnership with Vital Voices and The Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund, the charitable fund of Estée Lauder, created to support the next generation of leaders who are redefining leadership in their everyday lives. Vicky Pasion, our Co-Founder and Creative Director, was selected to attend alongside 20 other visionaries from around the globe.
In reflection, here are some of her key takeaways:
There’s little room for humility in business:
Women of colour have a tendency to shrink and belittle our needs. We shy away from asking questions or asking for help. We must do the work to understand our unique value before we enter a room. Focus on being the change, validating ourselves, getting fired up by our support network and aligning with our rituals and values before leaning into a conversation.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint:
Negotiations are like dating. It’s about building trust over time. Trust the process and goal of sustainable change. Persistence is key. Who in my network can introduce me to someone who is aligned with my values? What impact could this have? Start small - great things take time.
Image: Vital Voices Global Partnership, Washington D.C, March 2023
Volatility is the new norm:
Post the height of a global health pandemic, we’re experiencing ripples of civil wars, climate disasters and rapid developments in technologies. Resilience is key. I’m the eldest daughter of first generation immigrants - if anyone knows how to manoeuvre, lead and thrive in these times of change, I’d say that women of colour are ones to watch.
Celebrate what makes you you:
We are multidimensional human beings. We’re daughters, sisters, care givers, mothers, friends, partners and more. We have our own passions that we can bring to the table to enhance perspective. Our experiences deserve to take up space.
Pay it forward:
Sharing information, encouragement and opportunities are engraved in female relationships and familial oral traditions. Applying this culture to our work through mentorship increases our impact. How can we find more moments to share our resources and build awareness? How can we weave this into the fabric of our conversations?
Image: Vital Voices Global Partnership, Washington D.C, March 2023
Learn more about the VV Visionaries program for 2023-2024 here.
