International Women’s Day always encourages us to pause and reflect on the progress we’ve made, the lessons we’ve learned, and the people who have shaped our journeys along the way.
This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” feels particularly personal to me. Over the past few months I’ve been mentoring three incredible women through the Mortgage Strategy Next Gen Programme, and the experience has prompted me to look back on my own career – the early ambitions, the moments of doubt, and the people who helped me along the way.
Because mentoring is never a one-way street.
You give your time, your experience, your honesty.
And in return? You gain perspective, purpose, and a renewed belief in what’s possible.
Why “Give to Gain” matters in our industry
The mortgage industry has massively evolved over the years. I entered in my early twenties, working for Nationwide’s specialist lender, UCB Home Loans, and that really was an exciting era – self-cert mortgages and the intro of the world wide web!
At the time there weren’t many female role models in the industry, aside from people like Sally Laker. What I did have, however, was a small army of supportive peers who helped me find my feet and build a network including James Chidgey, Gary Webster and Dev Malle. Many of them were in sales, which meant I quickly learned the value of relationships and resilience.
As my career progressed in marketing, I realised I also needed guidance from someone who truly understood that world. So, I applied to join Nationwide’s mentoring programme, where I was fortunate enough to be matched with Peter Gandolfi, who was Head of Brand Strategy at the time.
Peter encouraged me to think bigger, not just about the work I was doing day to day, but about my career and the impact I wanted to have. He challenged me to look at opportunities differently, to be more intentional about my personal brand, and to recognise the value of my own perspective.
When you’re early in your career, having influence can feel difficult. You may have ideas, energy and ambition, but you’re still finding your voice and wondering whether your perspective carries enough weight.
Peter helped me realise that influence isn’t about seniority. It’s about clarity, confidence and being willing to contribute. That shift in mindset was incredibly powerful for me.
This experience helped me grow enormously, both professionally and personally. It gave me the confidence to back myself more and to think about my career with greater ambition.
Looking back, it reinforced something I believe strongly now: the right mentor doesn’t just help you navigate your next step they help you see possibilities you might not have considered yourself and connect you to new opportunities.
Anna Radulovski, Founder and Global CEO of WomenTech Network, perfectly articulates why networking is so important and something that I strongly encourage with all my mentees.
“Networking isn’t just about advancing your career; it’s about building a support system that empowers you to lead effectively and drive change. “It opens doors, creates opportunities, and provides the mentorship and sponsorship needed to navigate the unique challenges we face. Remember, every connection is a step toward shattering that glass ceiling and creating a more inclusive industry.”
What mentoring has given me
Mentoring three women at different stages of their careers has prompted me to reflect on my own journey, not just in terms of results, but in terms of impact.
Sometimes I wish I could go back and have a coffee (OK, maybe Prosecco!) with Polly at 25.
I’d tell her she’s doing an incredible job, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. I’d tell her to worry less, doubt herself less, and enjoy the journey more because those early years fly by faster than you realise.
When you’re early in your career you’re often so focused on proving yourself and reaching the next milestone that you rarely stop to appreciate how much you’re already achieving.
Of course I’m proud of the promotions, the milestones, and the moments where I stepped outside my comfort zone.
But mentoring has also helped me appreciate the quieter wins.
You can’t underestimate the importance of building trusted relationships, supporting others to succeed, and staying resilient during uncertain times – 2008 was certainly one of those times! These moments of quiet success often stay with people far longer than the impact of a promotion or a title change.
Mentoring has given me the space to acknowledge just how far I’ve come.
It’s reminded me what I stand for as a leader. It’s made me incredibly proud and grateful. And perhaps, most importantly, it’s made me smile.
Because “Give to Gain” isn’t just a theme for International Women’s Day, it’s a lived experience.
The conversations I have with my mentees don’t just help them grow. They sharpen my thinking, reignite my passion, and challenge me too.
Representation is responsibility
There’s something powerful about women supporting women in financial services.
Representation matters but representation with action matters even more.
Mentoring is one of the most practical ways we can create change. It’s not about grand gestures. It’s about consistent conversations. It’s about being honest about barriers, transparent about career paths, and intentional about opening networks.
Sometimes it’s about strategy.
Sometimes it’s about confidence.
Sometimes it’s simply about reminding someone that they belong in the room.
And sometimes, it’s about reminding yourself how much you’ve already achieved.
The ripple effect
What excites me most is the multiplier effect.
If each of the women I mentor goes on to mentor someone else, the impact compounds. Knowledge spreads. Confidence grows. The culture shifts.
That’s the real “gain”.
We gain stronger leaders.
We gain greater diversity of thought.
We gain a more resilient industry.
But none of that happens unless someone chooses to give first.
