International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is also a call to action for supporting gender equity and fostering a world where women are supported, empowered and given equal opportunities to lead and thrive.
At the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST), we recognize the invaluable contributions of women within our organization and across our community.
To mark this year’s International Women’s Day and its theme of “Accelerate Action”, we reached out to inspiring women leaders from across our Board, community partners, and Strategic Leadership Team to hear their perspectives on leadership, empowerment and the importance of supporting other women.
We asked each participant three key questions:
- Why is it important to work or volunteer in a field that supports women?
- How has your leadership role allowed you to empower or support other women, and why does this matter?
- What message would you share with women about the importance of lifting each other up and fostering a culture of support and collaboration?
Children’s Aid Society of Toronto’s CEO, Lisa Tomlinson, shares her appreciation for the outstanding women leaders inside and outside of our organization, “On this International Women’s Day, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding women leaders at CAST and the incredible community partners who are making a difference every single day.
These trailblazing women are leading with vision, resilience and compassion, shaping the future of children, youth, families, and communities. Their unwavering dedication, especially in such challenging times, helps to build stronger, more supportive communities.
I am continually inspired by the women who are not only creating lasting change but also empowering others to do the same. Their leadership is a beacon of hope and a reminder of the importance of collaboration, kindness, and perseverance.
To all the women making a difference at our Agency and beyond – thank you for your invaluable contributions.”
We invite you to read, reflect and be inspired by their words below, and consider how you can contribute to a workplace and community that champions the success of women.
Together, let’s celebrate, uplift and champion one another, not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.
Sanober Diaz, CAST Board Member and EDI Committee Member
Why is it important to work/volunteer in a field that works with and supports other women?
Unfortunately, there are still barriers faced by many women that inhibit their ability to contribute fully and effectively at work. As a result, employers lose out on the unique and valuable contributions that women offer. I am proud as a Board member that CAST recognizes and celebrates women in the workplace.
How has your leadership role allowed you to support or empower other women, and why is this an important aspect of your work?
As I have navigated my own career journey, I have benefited from the mentorship and support of some remarkable, strong and brilliant women. Paying it forward by encouraging and boosting up other women is very important for me. As a leader, I have been able to promote and reinforce fair hiring practices, offer opportunities and encouragement to women from diverse backgrounds, and celebrate their successes.
What message would you share with women in our organization about the importance of lifting each other up and fostering a culture of support and collaboration?
You are marvelous! Thank you for the work that you do, day in and day out. Keep supporting each other to maximize the impact you have at CAST. Happy International Women’s Day!
Dr. Barbara Fallon, Professor, University of Toronto, and CAST Community Partner
Why is it important to work/volunteer in a field that works with and supports other women?
We need to continue to ensure that we ask questions from a women’s perspective to ensure that practices, policies and legislation are inclusive.
How has your leadership role allowed you to support or empower other women, and why is this an important aspect of your work?
In my role I am able to mentor and support younger women as academics and organizational leaders. I view this to be one of the most important roles that I have – hopefully making a contribution to the next generation of leaders.
What message would you share with women in our organization about the importance of lifting each other up and fostering a culture of support and collaboration?
Listen to each other. Be kind. Leading with empathy means excellence in outcomes.
Julie Mahfouz-Rezvani, CAST Board Member and Governance & Nominating Committee Chair
Why is it important to work/volunteer in a field that works with and supports other women?
It’s important to work or volunteer in a field that supports other women because representation, advocacy and community matter. When we invest our time and expertise into spaces that uplift women, we actively contribute to breaking barriers, creating opportunities and fostering inclusive environments where women can thrive.
How has your leadership role allowed you to support or empower other women, and why is this an important aspect of your work?
In my leadership roles, previously as CAST Board Vice Chair and EDI Lead, and now as Chair of Governance and Nominating, I’ve shaped policy, governance, and board recruitment through a gender lens to create more inclusive leadership spaces. I embed equity into board decisions, ensuring women have a voice in shaping organizational direction. I focus on diversifying board leadership, advocating for processes that elevate women and ensuring that our governance structure fosters equity.
What message would you share with women in our organization about the importance of lifting each other up and fostering a culture of support and collaboration?
To the women of CAST: Our strength lies in how we support each other. In every role, at every level, we have the power to open doors, advocate for one another, and create spaces where all women can thrive. Lifting each other up isn’t just about encouragement; it’s about ensuring that no woman has to navigate barriers alone. The challenges we face are real, but so is our ability to drive change. When we collaborate, mentor and stand together, we create an Agency where every woman’s impact is seen, valued and felt.
Harmy Mendoza, Executive Director, WomanACT and CAST Community Partner
Why is it important to work/volunteer in a field that works with and supports other women?
Working in a field that supports women is essential because gender-based violence (GBV) and systemic gender inequities continue to impact women’s safety, wellbeing and opportunities. At WomanACT, we recognize that women – particularly those who are racialized, Indigenous, newcomers or living with disabilities – face unique and intersecting barriers that require intentional, collaborative and systemic solutions.
By working in this field, I have the opportunity to advocate for policies that promote gender equity, ensure services are survivor-centered and trauma informed, and create spaces where women can lead and thrive.
How has your leadership role allowed you to support or empower other women, and why is this an important aspect of your work?
As the Executive Director of WomanACT, my leadership role has allowed me to advocate for system change, fostering inclusive leadership and ensuring that women’s voices – particularly those with lived experience of gender-based violence – are centered in policy and program development.
One of the most important aspects of my role is ensuring that our organization operates with an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed framework. This means building workplace policies that support women’s professional growth, developing initiatives that address barriers faced by racialized and marginalized women, and fostering partnerships that amplify women’s leadership across sectors.
What message would you share with women in our organization about the importance of lifting each other up and fostering a culture of support and collaboration?
Our strength lies not just in our individual resilience but in our collective power. When we lift each other up, we create a culture where every woman feels seen, valued and supported – where no one has to navigate challenges alone.
At WomanACT, we know that collaboration is the foundation of change. When we work together, we build not only stronger programs and policies but also a community of women who uplift and empower each other. By fostering this culture of support, we send a powerful message: that every woman deserves to be valued, that her contributions matter, and that she is never alone in this work.
Let’s continue to show up for one another, to create opportunities where they don’t yet exist, and to ensure that no woman is left behind. Because when we stand together, we don’t just break barriers—we build a future where every woman has the chance to thrive.
Sabah Mirza, CAST Board Member and Quality & Outcomes Committee Member
Why is it important to work/volunteer in a field that works with and supports other women?
Women continue to face systemic barriers in all areas of life; as a woman who has faced barriers but also has had tremendous, good fortune, I believe it is truly vital to find ways to support other women. When we support women, we support children and society at large.
How has your leadership role allowed you to support or empower other women, and why is this an important aspect of your work?
Over the course of my career, I have had the honour of holding positions of increasing responsibility and stature and as so many others have, I started at the bottom and worked my way up. During this time I experienced the same challenges and obstacles that other women did in those times – from pumping breast milk “against the office rules” to leaving meetings to attend to sick children under threat of being fired. As I gained authority, I made it my mission to do what was in my power to lessen the obstacles that I knew about. I have been grateful that I have been able to thrive despite systemic obstacles and it was important to me to be able to do what I could to make it a little easier for women who came after me, especially young mothers.
What message would you share with women in our organization about the importance of lifting each other up and fostering a culture of support and collaboration?
Women are women’s best allies. When we support each other, we are generally unstoppable. We have so many common experiences as women, even in the face of socio-economic differences and are the best positioned to help one another with empathy, lived experience and understanding.
Liz Molligan, Director, Intake, CAST
Why is it important to work/volunteer in a field that works with and supports other women?
Working or volunteering in a field that supports women fosters a sense of solidarity and shared understanding, especially as we face unique challenges. It creates a culture of collaboration, where we celebrate each other’s successes and empower one another to overcome obstacles. In these spaces, women can offer mentorship, build trust, and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment. For marginalized women, such as racialized women, these opportunities allow for diverse voices to be heard and leadership roles to be shared equitably. Ultimately, working with and supporting other women helps create lasting positive change, promoting gender equality and empowering future generations.
How has your leadership role allowed you to support or empower other women, and why is this an important aspect of your work?
Empowering other women means not only offering support in moments of need but also celebrating their successes and creating opportunities for them to shine. By fostering a supportive environment, I aim to help women realize their potential, especially those from diverse backgrounds, including racialized leaders, whose perspectives are often undervalued. Diversity is a core strength, and elevating these voices ensures that our organization is more inclusive, innovative and impactful.
What message would you share with women in our organization about the importance of lifting each other up and fostering a culture of support and collaboration?
In my culture, we have a saying: “One hand can’t clap.” It’s a powerful reminder that we need each other. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed. This is the foundation of what we must cultivate in our organization—an environment where we actively support and uplift one another.
We must remind ourselves that lifting each other up is a necessary practice that empowers all of us to grow. When we elevate those around us, we elevate ourselves and the entire organization.
Diversity, including the leadership of racialized women, is an essential element of our success. Every woman in our organization brings a unique perspective, and when we amplify those voices, we foster a culture that is richer, more inclusive, and more impactful. The strength of our collective diversity enables us to innovate, solve problems and support each other in meaningful ways.
As we move forward, let’s remember that we are in this together. By supporting each other, offering guidance, and celebrating one another’s wins, we create a culture where every woman has the space to lead, succeed and thrive. Let’s continue to embody the spirit of “One hand can’t clap,” knowing that when we work together, we all rise.
Mackenzie Taylor, Board Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Why is it important to work/volunteer in a field that works with and supports other women?
Empowering women isn’t just about lifting individuals up, it’s about strengthening entire communities. When we work or volunteer in fields that support other women, we create networks of resilience, mentorship, and progress that uplift generations to come.
How has your leadership role allowed you to support or empower other women, and why is this an important aspect of your work?
In my leadership role, I have always encouraged an environment of support, collaboration and growth. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or creating opportunities for professional development, I strive to ensure that women feel valued, heard and empowered to reach their full potential.
What message would you share with women in our organization about the importance of lifting each other up and fostering a culture of support and collaboration?
Real progress happens when we work together. Collaboration is about combining strengths, sharing knowledge and pushing forward as a team. When we support each other, we achieve more and create lasting impact.
Natasha Tucker, Director, Children and Youth Services, CAST
Why is it important to work/volunteer in a field that works with and supports other women?
Working in a field that supports women is crucial for several reasons. It provides role models for other women and young girls, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, focusing on race, class and gender. This can be incredibly empowering and motivational. Additionally, such work fosters a sense of community, building social, economic and political strength through collective action and the power of numbers.
How has your leadership role allowed you to support or empower other women, and why is this an important aspect of your work?
In my leadership role, I’ve had the opportunity to support and empower other women, particularly those who are racialized like myself, by allowing them to see themselves in my position. I’ve greatly benefited from strong women mentors who have been both aspirational and inspirational. This has made me consciously aware of the importance of sharing opportunities and making space for other women. In turn, I always pay it forward by uplifting women through mentorship and encouraging them to tap into their unique strengths, which hold immense power and potential for driving change.
What message would you share with women in our organization about the importance of lifting each other up and fostering a culture of support and collaboration?
My message for uplifting women and fostering a culture of change is to validate women for their unique qualities, encouraging them to be proud of who they are and to live vivaciously and unapologetically. This should be done through strong moral values and ethics that uphold justice and equity. Women are in a unique position to drive global change through their collective advocacy within my organization, community, country, and globally for all girls. The privileges we enjoy today were hard-fought and not given freely. Therefore, let’s collectively build upon these hard-earned privileges to create a more accessible and inclusive world for other women and girls.
Kayla Yama, President and CEO, Boost Child and Youth Advocacy Centre and CAST Community Partner
Why is it important to work/volunteer in a field that works with and supports other women?
Women, especially women with marginalized intersecting identities, continue to experience disproportionate harm. For me there is no cause more important, personally or professionally, than supporting women and future women to reduce the very real harm of inequity.
How has your leadership role allowed you to support or empower other women, and why is this an important aspect of your work?
Representation matters. As a trained social worker, new CEO and woman, I seek to show women that they can wear many hats, hold varying identities, and be their authentic selves as they develop in their leadership.
What message would you share with women in our organization about the importance of lifting each other up and fostering a culture of support and collaboration?
Women are naturals at lifting each other up in organizations, especially when confronting challenges! In my experience, there is no better ally, support, or collaborator than another woman in leadership.
