A challenged world is an alert world
and from challenge comes change.
So let’s all choose to challenge.
…that’s the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day. We asked some IP professionals what they choose to challenge, in their professional and/or personal lives, in order to improve equality, diversity and inclusion.
How will you help forge a gender equal world?
Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.
#IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge
Hello, I’m Susi Fish, a partner and patent attorney at Boult Wade Tennant LLP. I challenge myself to speak up in both my professional and personal life around the area of diversity and inclusion, even if it feels uncomfortable. I will also challenge myself to continue to read books and articles, and listen to content, that will lead me to grow and challenge any deep rooted unconscious biases.
Hi, I’m Catherine French, Head of the Patent and Trade Mark Division at Sacco Mann, and IP Inclusive North of England committee member. I challenge myself to support my colleagues and my contacts as we continue to evolve towards a healthier way of living and working. The office does not have to be our world….but the world can be our office….some of my clearest thinking can come during a run on the moors!
Hi! I’m Sarah Kostiuk-Smith and I am a partner and patent attorney at Mewburn Ellis. For #IWD2021 I challenge myself to keep learning and to do my nest to nurture the next generation of patent attorneys.
Hi, I’m Emily Teesdale, a partner and patent attorney at Abel + Imray. I try every day to challenge my own biases. We all have them and it is a continual process to spot them and check yourself. I will also challenge myself to gently call out when others have made a gendered action or assumption. And, of course, I will continue to celebrate women’s achievements, especially in the engineering and IP sectors, in which I work.
Hi, I’m Andrea Brewster, Lead Executive Officer at IP Inclusive. I try to challenge assumptions about what people are capable of and what they’re interested in. I know I’m as guilty of those as anyone else. They can limit not only other people’s opportunities but also the success of the teams you build around you.