Women In Sales Awards 2022 Magazine

SARA MORRISON

Congratulations from Zars Media, proud host of tonight's celebrations

AFI OFORI Managing Director, Zars Media

The tagline for the Women In Sales Awards is “Helping To Build And Grow Successful Generations Of Future Business Leaders”.

We certainly saw that at this year’s judging day with some incredible presentations. You have shown us that diversity enriches the workplace and that challenges can be met with, skill, talent and persistence.

We were truly overwhelmed by both the number and the quality of nominations we received this year from all over Europe and the wider world. We were reminded that women are indeed at the forefront of diversity and inclusion and are challenging the status quo by driving change and innovation.

As we reveal the winners of the 2022 WIS Awards, we invite you to celebrate and share in the success of all the women and men who are inspiring the momentum for change in the workplace.

Thank you to all the companies that took the time to nominate and congratulations to all finalists and the winners. You are inspiring the next generation of saleswomen.

Finally, putting this year’s magazine together has not been without its challenges. However we are very pleased with the outcome and we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in 2023.

DECEMBER 2021 is published by Zars Media

8 Heathfield Court Fleet, Hampshire GU51 5DX England Tel.: 01252612025 info@wisawards.com

Official

Design by: Yuliya Canavaggio yuliyacanavaggio

Photography by: Paul Grace Photography www.pgrace.co.uk pgracephoto

Ramis Karamatov Photography www.ramisphotography.com rms.mains

Impression Management and Authenticity

The goal of Leadership Presence is to align other people’s perception of you with your best authentic self. In other words, leadership presence is all about impression management.

So let me ask you . . .

By CAROL KINSEY GOMAN, PH.D.

Author of the award-winning book, “Stand Out: How to Build Your Leadership Presence” and the creator of LinkedIn Learning’s best-selling video course, “Body Language for Leaders” – with almost 3 million views. International presenter who can be reached by email: Carol@CarolKinseygoman.com or through her website: CarolKinseyGoman.com.

Do you spell-check a report before turning it in to your boss?

Do you watch your table manners when dining with an important client?

Do you “dress for success” (whatever that means in your industry) when making a presentation to the senior leadership team?

If so, you probably already realize that it isn’t any less authentic to be seen at your best than it is to display your worst (or sloppiest) behaviors. A problem only arises if you confuse authenticity with habit. For example: You may slouch because you have always had poor posture, but that doesn’t make it authentic, it simply makes it a habit - and, by the way, not a habit that serves you well.

As a professional, your posture affects how people perceive you. Just as good posture sends nonverbal signals of energy, confidence, and health, poor body posture makes you look looks as though you are bored, uninterested or unmotivated -which I assume is not the impression you want to project to your boss, customers, and colleagues.

And that’s not the only nonverbal signal that can block people from seeing the real you. Here’s what happened to Tracy:

Tracy is a lot like you: smart, talented, and highly trustworthy. So it came to her as a shock that on a “trust audit,” she received low scores in the area of transparency. When she asked for an explanation, Tracy was even

more surprised to be told that she sometimes gave the impression of having a hidden agenda.

When her boss suggested she might try declaring her intent before laying out new ideas, she did so for the next several months. But a year later, the trust audit - once again - noted her lack of transparency.

After hearing me speak at a conference, Tracy wondered if body language was part of the problem. As she later told me: “I’m chronically cold and I have a habit of sitting in meetings with my arms crossed for warmth. I started wondering if it was this nonverbal signal of ‘closed’ that was at odds with my genuine openness.”

For the next several months Tracy made a point of wearing warmer clothing so she could open her arms and broaden her gestures. It was a great relief when her next trust scores rose to reflect the honest and transparent person she really was.

What about you? Do you have a communication habit that gets in the way of being perceived as the talented leader you are? Maybe you’re like another client of mine - a brilliant and shy manager who spoke in a low, almost inaudible, voice during meetings. While her shyness was valid, her habitual way of speaking was a behavior that didn’t authentically reflect her intellect and leadership potential.

To manage the impression you make, think through these questions:

1. What is one habit that you’d like to change because it hides who you really are?

2. In what situation is this behavior most likely to occur?

3. What is the new habit you’d like to create? (It helps to mentally “rehearse” - creating a powerful image of yourself displaying the new behavior.)

4. How you are going to remind yourself to switch behaviors?

It takes time and repetition to create a new habit. But it’s worth it. As you practice and become comfortable with your new behavior, you are in the process of transforming people’s impression by revealing more of your best authentic self •

Your Diversity Journey

At what stage of the journey is your organisation? How do you know? We are Voice At The Table, a gender diversity and inclusion consultancy. We can help your organisation move from wherever you are to the next stage of the Diversity Journey. Visit us on www.voiceatthetable.com or email info@voiceatthetable.com

Reframing Your Self-Talk

By CHRIS HATFIELD, Founder & Coach, Sales Psyche www.salespsyche.co.uk

Do any of these statements sound like something that’s crossed your mind this month?

“I’m not going to hit target”; “I’ve done something to annoy the prospect”; “I don’t think I’m going to pass probation”; “It’s only a matter of time before they realise I’m not right for this role”.

This is our self-talk, our chatter, feeding us these statements, that really aren’t helping at all. They’re probably not just impacting your performance, but also your mental wellbeing, happiness and day to day life.

Our minds are a noisy place. Did you know that on average normal speech out loud is 100-150 words per minute, but our self-talk comes at 800-1400 words per minute. That’s a lot of noise!

Letting that self-talk run riot in your mind can cause a lot of problems and stress. It’s something that really impacted me when I first started out in sales, which really triggered my anxiety.

This negative chatter created a self-fulfilling prophecy as it meant I lost focus on my role, began to accept my fate and didn’t really try and challenge it. But the thing is, it can be challenged, it can be reframed, it can be something to serve, not sabotage you.

There’s so many things that have helped me do this and I could fill a book of them (which I probably will one day), but for now here’s something to mull over and start putting into practice.

Build the defence in the courtroom

Imagine your mind is like a courtroom and your brain’s default setting is the prosecution; constantly thinking of the worst case scenario, trying to provide all the scenarios to tell you why to believe it. Typically we just buy into that, but what we do over time, is begin to build a defence in that courtroom, one to challenge the prosecution and the way to do this, is asking yourself 3 questions when faced with your negative self-talk.

Did you know that on average normal speech out loud is 100-150 words per minute, but our self-talk comes at 800-1400 words per minute. That’s a lot of noise!

Where is the evidence?

Allows you to challenge your thoughts and look for proof, which often there isn’t any e.g. This demo isn’t going to go well; why, where is the evidence to say it won’t?

What else could be true here?

Supports you in changing your perspective, avoiding a blinkered approach and looking at other possibilities e.g. I’ve done something to annoy the prospect; well they could actually just be really busy with their role/ this is a small part of what they’re working on, so it’s not going to be top of their list today.

What are 1-2 things I can do to tackle this thought?

Encourages you to proactively tackle your thought, rather than just play the negative outcome of the story it’s telling you. E.g. If I’m thinking “I’m not going to pass probation”, rather than just dwelling on that, which will probably cause me not to, because I’ll lose focus and accept my fate, I can reframe it to “What are the main reasons I think that?” and then “What are 1-2 things I can do to work on that?” - I have then used that thought to benefit me, to start working on those aspects, which without that thought, I may have not focused on.

So there you have it, a little bit about the impact of our self-talk and the tools we can use to begin to reframe it and allow it to serve, not sabotage us.

Remember, you’re going to be with yourself for the rest of your life, so the conversation you have with yourself is vital, it sets the tone for every other conversation you have in life •

THE 2022

JUDGING PROCESS & THE JUDGES

The judging day

The Judging Process

The Judges

A group of 59 senior executives from various industries were carefully selected as an evaluation panel of independent judges. Their objective was to review the nominations and interview each of the finalists.

Why an interview with the judges?

An in-person interview allows the judges to further assess each finalist’s sales skills, strategies, and process etc. The interview also complements their review of the submitted nomination forms.

FAQ’s

Who are the judges? Where do they come from?

Zars Media invites judges from countries all over Europe. Judges may be executives with social innovation expertise, businesspeople, educators and university administrators and leading practitioners in the field.

How do you choose the judges?

We usually look for executives with sales backgrounds and with more than 20 years sales experience. We actively recruit and take suggestions from partners, mentors, and past judges.

The judges were organised into 20 groups; each group was made up of 3 judges and interviewed a number of finalists within their assigned categories. Nomination forms and any supporting documents were reviewed by the judges prior to a nominee being selected as a finalist. Each nomination was evaluated and scored out of a total of 5 points. The next stage of the process was the in-person interview with the judges.

Finalists time with the judges

This was an opportunity for the finalists to engage the judges by telling them the story of their success. Each judge awarded points across the same criteria. After the interview, all finalists answered one final question: “why should you win the award in your category and how would you use it to make an impact on improving equality and diversity in sales?”

Each finalist’s overall score was the sum of the scores from the interview with the 3 judges. The finalist with the highest score in each category was selected as the winner in that category.

The Distinguished Saleswoman of The Year Award

This award is for the finalist who impressed the judges the most and scored the highest among all the finalists.

What do the judges evaluate?

Judges review all the entries within their assigned categories and give their scores as per the guidelines. This will include reviewing the nomination forms and any confidential supplemental documents and project information that is included in the application..

Is the judging by invitation only, or can i apply to be a judge?

We recruit judges after screening their profiles using LinkedIn and other news sources. We are happy to consider suggestions.

If you would like to be considered, or suggest future judges, please email judges@wisawards.com

STUART ALLEN

IAN MILLS FIONA GAVIGAN PETE GILBERT NICOLA WILTON JACQUELINE HILTON

2022 Judges

Start Allen

Managing Director, The Sales Performance Company

Ian Mills

CEO, Transform Performance International

Fiona Gavigan

VP Sales & BD EMEA & APAC, Datasite

Pete Gilbert

Managing Director, Sales Activator

Head of Growth, Capita MPS

Jacqueline Hilton Managing Director, Fidelis Partners

Nicola Wilton

BRIAN GREEN SHRUTI DUTTA

LAURA BRADLEY-CARTER STEFICA DIVKOVIC COLIN O'FLAHERTY

VP EMEA field sales, Adobe

Laura Bradley-Carter

Director of Inside Sales, Apogee Corp

Shruti Dutta

Managing Director, Accenture UK

Stefica Divkovic

SVP EMEA, Everbridge

Colin O'Flaherty

MD, Head of SME Barclaycard Payments

Lorna Leck

Senior Partner Dev Specialist, Strategic Initiatives EMEA, Amazon Web Services

LORNA LECK

Brian Green

The 2022 Judges

Gary Mansfield

Managing Director, Outside In Sales & Marketing

Marlen von Roth

Regional Sales Director, Strategic Accounts, Atlassian

Nicola Amiss

SVP Of Sales, Corporate Visions

Adam Clarke

VP UK and Ireland, CoachHub

Elaine Allen

Regional Sales Director, Service Cloud, Salesforce

Andrew Mair

Director of Mid-Market Sales, BT

GARY MANSFIELD

MARLEN VON ROTH NICOLA AMISS

ADAM CLARKE ELAINE ALLEN

ANDREW MAIR

Mary Nichol

Director of Sales,

Impellam Group

Emma Braithwaite

EMEA Sales Director, International & Major Accounts Ricoh

EMMA BRAITHWAITE MARY NICHOL KEN HARLEY

Ken Harley

UK & Ireland, Education Sales Director, Amazon Web Services

Scott Snell

VP Sales, UK and Ireland

Carol Kelly

Managing Director, KSA Learning

Yasemin Pereira Director, EMEA Channel Sales – Digital Media, Adobe

The

Kate Derrick

Rachel Kenney

Ruth Kennedy

HENA CHANDARANA RACHEL KENNEY ANA PEREZ LEIGH ASHTON KATE DERRICK RUTH KENNEDY

VAL AGNEW MADELEINE ABDOH Hena Chandarana

Distribution Academy Consultant, Enterprise L&D MetLife

TONI REDMAN TEDROY NEWELL RACHAEL ROWE CLAIRE CURZON RUPINDER BAHRA

RINA GOLDENBERG LYNCH, JACQUELINE HERON

DALE PAYNE,

Rachael Rowe Sales Director, Trintech

Rupinder Bahra

Rina Goldenberg Lynch, CEO, Voice At The Table

Jacqueline Heron

Founder, Jacqueline Heron Coaching

Dale Payne

Head Of Adobe Sign - Northern Europe, Middle East & Africa

Toni Redman Director, Sales Development EMEA Trintech

Tedroy Newell

Executive Managing Director, Access Renw Collaborate

Claire Curzon CEO, Brighter Directions

PARIS

NOUSHEH

The 2022 Judges

Nousheh Paris

VP Commercial and Merchant Servicing Europe, American Express

Derren Nisbet

Senior VP EMEA

Claire Thomas

Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Hitachi Vantara

Elena Cebanu

Vice

Roisin Corrigan

EMEA Head of Sales, Clari

Gavin Dimmock

SVP Sales & GM EMEA, Terminus

Sophie Steel

Training Consultant, Sales Activator

Bettina Kaemmerer

Sales Compensation Expert, Bee Comp

DERREN NISBET CLAIRE THOMAS ELENA CEBANU ROISIN CORRIGAN GAVIN DIMMOCK

SOPHIE STEEL BETTINA KAEMMERER

CAROLINA CASTILLO

MILTON JOHN ALLISON IAN MOYSE SANJAI MEHTA

Paula Milton

EMEA

Sanjai Mehta

Sales Coach, Verizon

John Allison

Managing Director, Enable Sales Academy

Malin Petersson

GM & SVP Nordics, Benelux and Eastern Europe Infor

PAULA

MALIN PETERSSON HEMA MARSHALL ALICIA KANG

VP for Customer Service Engagement, Pegasystems

Hema Marshall

Chief Revenue Officer, Sparqa

Alicia Kang

Head of Sales Performance, ICIS

Carolina Castillo

VP Strategic Alliances & Partnerships, American Express

Ian Moyse

Head of Sales Chai

Women in Sales Awards Europe

2022 Speakers

Carol Kinsey Goman

Leadership blogger for Forbes Author, The Silent Language of Leaders

Emma Leigh-Waters

Strategic Account Director, Virgin Media

Catherine Alexander

VP, Training Services, Corporate Visions

Chris Hatfield

Founder & Coach, Sales Psyche

Josephine

Perruzza

Founder Working with you in MIND, Mental Health Practitioner

Saloumeh Sabet

Field CTO, Consumer Goods, Microsoft

Daniel Evans

Managing Partner, Verizon Business

Moderator Catherine Schalk

Executive Director, Inkwazi Kommunications

Diana Kiburyte

Manager Inside Sales, Hitachi Vantara

Danielle Hurren

Client Director, Experian

Stefanie Alesi

Senior Channel Sales Manager, Salesforce

Alison Edgar MBE

Managing Director

Sales

Coaching Solutions

Caroline McCrystal

Customer Success Director, 2019 Most Distinguished Saleswoman

Emma Dutton MBE CEO, Applied Influence Group

MEET THE 2022

FINALISTS

Congratulations from Zars Media proud organizer of the Women in Sales Awards Europe

Bianca Beale

Ayelet Eisen

Ceri-Lyn Meek

Annelore Van Opstal

“Allowing yourself to improve is essential, but going beyond your own limits is where growth starts.”

“Never underestimate the power of selfcritique. Use it to empower you to be your best but never let it consume you.”

“Empowered, inspired and fearless. This is how I feel after my experience competing in the Women in Sales Awards Europe.”

“The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate and expand her sense of actual possibilities.”

— Adrienne Rich

Amy Coughlin

Yasemin Merx

“Do we settle for the world as it is, or do we work for the world as it should be?”

— Michelle Obama

Eleanor McDonald

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

— Milton Berle

Aleksandra Bourke

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.”

— Walter Elliot

“The human connection way is the way, not just for people and planet but for profit.”

— Brene Brown, Dare to Lead Podcast

Jennifer Heaney

“Believe in yourself and inspire others. Don't be afraid to be different and to make a difference. The world will be all the richer.”

Gail Dwyer

Federica Quadrini

“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up”

— Nelson Mandela

Efrosini Kelidou

“Authenticity, empathy and passion is the key to my success.”

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.”

— Melinda Gates

Collette Kelly

“Never let anyone dull your Sparkle”

“Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that is the one that is going to help you grow.”

— Caroline Myss

“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”

“She woke up every morning with the option of being anyone she wished. How beautiful it was that she always chose herself.”

Charlotte Hails

— Queen Elizabeth II

Amy Miller

Ann Rip

“Dream big, Work hard, Enjoy life and Just make it happen”

Charlotte Pitcher

“Creating a culture of delivery is essential to Professional Services Sales success. Do what you say you will and you will build trust”

Beatrice Boselli

— Tyler Kent White

— Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy, 1926

Charlotte Williams

“Passing down great knowledge and advise from one woman to another. After all, one women’s win is a win for all women”

Diana Kiburyte

“I believe in the power of women, and I believe that dreams become reality if you work hard and never give up.”

Clodagh Cosh

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit”

Anne-Frederique Palmero

“It is not the destination but the journey that matters most!”

Holly Ryder-Smith

“Be true to yourself. It's your authenticity that creates the biggest waves”

Antje Helch

personal aim is to always treat others with respect, compassion and empathy, to allow space for others to flourish and be their authentic self.”

Elizabeth Richardson

“My

Elena Muñoz Sanchez

“Effort, persistence and courage to face any challenge along the way are the best qualities to become unstoppable.”

“As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Claire Stratton

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t - you’re right.”

— Henry Ford

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader”

yourself, believe in your aspirations, go out of your comfort zone and encourage people to do so, as you will always learn a lot on the way.”

“Maybe it all comes down to: I'm a woman who really loves her career, so I'm obsessed with the art of my work ... it's a love story for me.”

— Mitski

“Let your biggest challenge become your biggest motivation.”

“Sales is wild, extreme ride, fun and daunting at the same time, as a manager, I am here to equip and support my people for the daunting and ensure they feal the fun.”

Carolina Brocchetti

Jo Powell

Charlotte Prain

— Dolly Parton

Anne-Sophie Barlet

“Be

Charlotte Lowe

Ella Cleary

Doris Behnke

Joanna Parker

Brenda Canavan

“Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Hope for tomorrow”

— Albert Einstein

Belinda Rushton

“My success comes from hard work, diligence and being helpful. From a sweet shop to an FX dealing floor then today, a Woman in Sales.”

“Whatever makes you feel uncomfortable is your biggest opportunity for growth.”

“I build my own network with female colleagues in all kinds of different sales roles, helping me to develop my sales skills”

Isabel Cockayne

“What an honour to be shortlisted and share this accolade with incredible women; collectively pushing the boundaries for all women in sales for future generations”

“Let your biggest challenge become your biggest motivation.”

Annemieke de Graaf

Corinne Suire

Marleen Verbeek

Ilaria Ingenito

Maddy Young

“Believe in your dreams and they may come true. Believe in yourself and they will surely come true”

— Martin Luther King

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

— Helen Keller

“Success isn't owned, it's leased. And rent is due every day.”

— J.J. Watt

“Be yourself, and only yourself. It is all that matters.”

“The way to achieve your own success is to be willing to help somebody else get it first.”

— Iyanla Vanzant

“My 11-year-old daughter is so proud & excited about my WISA Nomination. It made me realize how female empowerment starts at a young age”

qualifying to be a finalist it has shown me that the small efforts made on a daily basis allows you to achieve

“Remain true to your core values, live by these and lead by example”

Fatima Imaalitane

Julia Schröckmayr

“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” — Seneca

Claire Bohan

Lyndsey Corby

“On

the unthinkable”

Elke Ballano

“Every Woman in this World has the power to become Super Woman!”

Melissa Feaviour

Katy Sykes

Lizzie Pullen

Chinar Garg

Georgina Lowe

“Dear optimist, pessimist, and realist - while you guys were busy arguing about the glass of wine, I drank it! Sincerely, opportunist!"

— Lori Greiner

“Sometimes the things we cannot change end up changing us.”

“I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.”

— Simone Biles

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

— Jane Goodall”

“Sky is the Limit“ My exmanager Jerry Morgan used to say this to me to inspire me”

“Voice your aspirations with confidence. Be authentic, be purposeful and continue to strive for growth.”

Kelly Gibson

“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

“Do what you love and success will follow. Always believe in yourself, be tenacious about achieving your goals, and consistently remain authentic.”

Kira Levy

“Be curious; lead with empathy; challenge the assumption you can only be one thing. Most importantly, be your authentic self. It’s the best version of you.”

Francoise Boardman

“We are the change that we seek” — Barack Obama

Jane Pickering

Ilaria Passera

Paulina Brissenden

Karis Bird

Elina Kusch

“Be authentic. Most of all though, if you want to make your mark, you need to stay curious and stay excited!”

“Nurture your creativity, dare to be brave and realise your greatest achievement is you!”

“Things are better done than perfect.”

“It's not what you achieve, it's what you overcome”

Margarita Mitropoulou

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” — Zig Ziglar

Ellie Walton

Ilze Ribeiro

“Reinventing the self is not meant to be scary of difficult or terrifying”

— Kaya Wittenberg

“Trust the process, be courageous, consistent and unapologetically you, and the rest will follow”

Gail Dwyer

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.”

— Melinda Gates

Danielle Hurren

“It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the hard progress of humankind."

— Queen Elizabeth II

Melanie Luangsay

“Always be curious, learn and explore from other places and people”

Cruess Callaghan

of your woman's intuition as a secret sauce. Make sure to always add two generous tablespoons of it, regardless of what the recipe book says.”

Jenna Mansfield

Mel Batten

Jenna Yeh

Jessica

“Think

“Always be yourself and try to never let self-doubt tell you that you can't do something. There's only one you.”

Laura Deakin

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better”

— Maya Angelou

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

— The Dalai Lama

“To help other women in our company and industry I will carry on doing what I’m doing”

Jaymini Hirani

Laura Lindinger

“I believe in creative and new solutions: There is always more than one option and we can always do better.”

Natalie Woods

“I believe building good, honest relationships is key to success and makes the journey more enjoyable and rewarding”

Namrata Das

“From a young age, I have always looked up to women role models as a source of inspiration and motivation.”

“When you find your why, you find a way to make it happen.”

— Eric Thomas

—

Kirsten Schelte

Kelly-Jo Edmeads

Niki Smith

— Malcolm X

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different”

— Coco Chanel

“Education is your passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today”

Joanne Carlier

“Always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals”

Michelle Obama

“Don’t lower your expectations to fit into a World you were born to stand out”

Hema Poore

for

just comes from the inside. I don’t sell products. I sell customized solutions and reliability.”

LiYen Lee

“Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.”

— Carrie Fisher

Sarah Thomas

Ewa Schlender

“My passion

sales

“It’s very important for me to stand out supporting and being part of the female sales support system”

“Increasing representation of women in technology of all colours and backgrounds and all interests is so important, being nominated is an honour”

“As a newcomer, my passion is to lead by example to encourage and inspire the next generation of Women in sales. Women are made for Sales!”

Katy Morris

“From a goal on my development plan to being a WISA finalist is the ultimate achievement. I’m thrilled to be recognized along with other amazing women!”

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen”

— Winston Churchill

lsabelle Patrix

“Alone, we go fast. Together, we go far!” — African proverb

Nieves Hevia

“I prepare every day to be my best self and I have learned over the years to work hard, but not be too hard on myself!”

Libby Hackett

Pascale Wauters

Jorja Stockle

Laura del Pozo

“Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable because women face barriers but have no limits.”

Marieke Prakken

“Take the risk, it might just be the beginning of your story.”

Paloma Herranz

“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you”

— Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“My goal is to find allies and mentors who can counsel me on development options and educate on techniques to overcome roadblocks.”

Penelope Debie

Lauren Fourie

Jenny Conington

“Service Management is being your customer's voice within your own organisation.”

Nikki Sian

“Seeing other women succeed is truly inspiring to me and reminds me that the sky is the limit”

“It always seems impossible, until it's done..."

— Nelson Mandela

“Always remember You are braver than you think Stronger than you seem More beautiful than you imagine Loved more than you know”

— Dorothy Springs

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts!”

Corina Roberts

“Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb but how well you bounce” — Tigger (Winnie the Pooh)

Nicole Farid

Rupee Diu

“I live my life by the quote “A river cuts through rock not because of its power, but because of its persistence” — Jim Watkins

Deborah Francis

“Do not be afraid of failure. It will only make you stronger. But fear not trying at all.”

Gemma Doe

“The bottom might be where you start but it doesn’t have to be where you stay”

“Hopefully the recognition of my achievements in a male dominated industry will inspire others, so that saleswomen become the norm, not the exception”

Sarah Lapin

“Do what you love and success will follow. Passion is the fuel behind a successful career.”

— Meg Whitman

Sara Morrison

“There’s no such thing as perfection. But, in striving for perfection, we can achieve excellence”

— Vince Lombardi

Liz Gilmour

Sarah Wright

“People, Purpose, Performance.”

Klobocishta

Sara Ismail-Abd

Maria Jose Espejo

“Informed curiosity and growth mindset are the key behaviours you can cultivate to succeed in sales. Go for them!”

Rosalie Christinat

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

— Eleanor Roosevelt

“I am very thankful to have a female mentor who supported me managing several challenges.”

Lorela

“You are your self’s biggest ally and greatest competitor.”

Uddin

Merel Commandeur

Simran Grewal

“Your experiences in life will be your best teacher. Challenge yourself, because with challenge comes growth.”

Jessica Perkins

“Be comfortable being uncomfortable, and always take time to celebrate the wins.”

“You only get one life! Embrace your history, be proud of what you've achieved, count your blessings and let's make the sky your limit!”

Sarah

“What makes you a hero, is not your triumph over adversity but your ability to transform the minds and hearts of others as a result”

— Marcia Reynolds

“Work hard, learn your products, hone your craft; this will create a by-product of self-belief, which in turn, will earn the credibility you rightly deserve.”

Sanne Oukes

Maayan Rahav

Nicolle Mee

Sarah Walters

“Tell the stories of the mountains you have climbed; they might become a page in someone else's survival guide” — Morgan Harper Nichols

“You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.”

— Maya Angelou

Emma Richards

“Let’s move ahead and pay it forward to the next generation, whilst thanking those who have gone before us”

“Trying never fails, not trying leads to failure.”

— Xavier Dolan

Sophie Cox

Ruth Rogers

“Embrace growth, harness curiosity, and remember that practice makes progress.”

“It is important for sales leaders to provide an inclusive environment to share experiences and to support and motivate individuals to navigate their career path”

Usua Landa Otaño

“Anything is possible to anyone who dreams, dares, works and never gives up.”

Sarah Beevers

“I always strive to show that success can be achieved without having to compromise on leading with authenticity and empathy.”

Megan Davies

Sasha Samuels

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish”

— Michelle Obama

Sarah Murgatroyd

“Grit and determination is the way to success - if you never take the shot, you will always miss.”

“Taking inspiration from the incredibly hard-working females in my life, namely my mother and grandma, I’m honoured to be nominated and excited for the future.”

Nadia Gooch

“We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded….”

— Sheryl Sandberg

Nilla Strömvall

Saskia Borburgh

“As more women succeed, the rest of the world will have to struggle to keep up”

Roxanne Hughes

“Collaborating and building relationships is the key to success. Always be proud of your team and your brand and be relevant with continuous learning”

Sabiha Din

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious”

— Albert Einstein

“I want to break the stereotype of a salesperson”

Katherine (Katy) Painter

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

— Paulo Coelho

Meiss Marten

“The power is in you. The answer is in you. And you are the answer to all your searches: you are the goal. You are the answer. It’s never outside.”

— Eckhart Tolle

Melony Garcia

Stephanie Cronshaw

“Be the best you can be, until you learn to be better.”

“There is only one you, no one else can do what you can. Keep that at the forefront of your mind - you will win.”

Ursula Risch-Sauer

Toni Pang

Suzanne Marshall

“There is more to life than being a passenger.”

— Amelia Earhart

Stephanie Brown

“Driven by ambition but defined by strength of mind.”

“Work Hard & Be Nice To People”

— Anthony Burrill

“Don´t let them get you down. Be cheeky. And wild. And wonderful”

— Astrid Lindgren

“You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water"

Maria Rengifo

“Focus on your strengths before focusing on your gaps, focus on the things you can control, and celebrate your successes.”

Yekta Gerami

Yuliya Lapkovich

“Every day is a chance to make a difference by being authentic, curious, and brave. Take it.”

Sam Webster

— Rabindranath Tagore

“Woman, Life, Freedom.”

Prashanti Mukhi

“If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can't hear them anymore.”

— Michele Ruiz

Simone Hume

“Let our voices be heard, have a seat at that table and build upon the WISA movement making it bigger and better than ever before!”

Nicola Iversen

“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.”

— Coco Chanel

Rachael Lewis

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

— Jane Goodall

— Socrates

Tanja Baskarada

Tatum Flynn

“I am surrounded by strong and inspirational women at Virgin Media, who have inspired me to be confident in the world of sales.”

“LOVE to inspire and be inspired, to meet and mate ideas, to challenge the statusquo and to achieve mutual success. ”

Yasmin Abell

“Falling down is not a failure. Failure comes when you stay where you have fallen”

Nicola Venus

“When I think about what it is to be and all I have to do as a mother; I begin to understand why I am a successful salesperson!”

“The best thing about supporting our future leaders through mentorship is witnessing their growth. Seeing them trust in themselves, develop their own way and become more confident.”

Glynnis Kellaway

Felicity Starr

Daniel Evans

“Connect to possibility and create new opportunities”

Ed Armishaw

“Mentoring for me has an essential part to play in helping us all further gender (and other) diversity in sales.”

“You can trust yourself"

Alyssa Lefebvre

Dauncey

“Don’t try and fit in. Believe in yourself, be relentlessly positive and authentic –that’s all you need to spark the light of your success and let it shine so bright, it will guide everyone around you.”

Hannah

“Let’s all pay it forward in our own little way, and let’s make this world equal for the future generations”

Katrin Gillett

“I am lucky enough to work with some amazing women at Clari!”

This year we received a record number of nominations, approximately 500 nominations from all over Europe from some of the leading and most innovative companies in the world today. After many hours of reviewing nomination applications 171 were shortlisted and following a full day of interviews, 22 selected as the winners.

AND THE 2022

WINNERS

ARE...

2022 SALES MANAGER WINNER & MOST DISTINGUISHED SALESWOMAN OF THE YEAR

SARA MORRISON

Iwas in a meeting in Canary Wharf, London in our beautiful 30 story Head Office delivering a training program to 10 Aspiring Leaders when I found out I was a finalist in the Women in Sales Awards Europe. I was overwhelmed. When I moved into sales 4 years ago - with no experience as a seller - being recognised across my industry wouldn’t have been in my wildest dreams. It seemed surreal. Of course my first step was to share the news with my daughter and my parents. There were tears of joy and it made me so happy to make them proud. I have been a single parent since my daughter was 4 years old and this was one

of the moments that made the careful balancing of motherhood and career worthwhile.

Fast forward to the awards evening and there I was collecting my award on stage. It was an honour to be there amongst such strong, resilient and determined women, and to be inspired by others’ triumphs that night too.

Coming into Sales was not a deliberate decision for me. I was asked to support a restructure of our Sales teams 3 years ago and have never looked back. The role I took on had been suggested to me in the past, but I had been reluctant due to perceived lack of knowledge and skill set. Having dipped my toe

in the waters during an 8-week period I realised my leadership toolkit was transferrable, and anything else I could learn along the way. The move to Sales makes me wish I had been braver earlier in my career to trust in my ability, rather than avoid roles where I presumed a level of technical knowledge was required. I hope winning this award will allow me to share this experience with more women and encourage them to be brave and courageous.

I entered a very male dominated business with a determination to remain authentic. My honesty, hunger to be the best, and drive for development has been a great recipe for success in Sales. By creating

a tribal mentality within my teams, we know that we are all in it together, driving for marginal gains through focused development, and having a lot of fun along the way.

There have been tough times. A lot of the time, in fact, I have imposter syndrome, however ‘fake it until you make it’ has been my motto when faced with uncomfortable situations or when I genuinely felt out of my depth. I want to share this encouragement with as many women across the industry as I can, so we can lean on each other when those feelings surprise us. As a mentor within Barclays I will use this award as a platform to support women to be confident about what they can achieve and to have faith in their abilities.

The process of being nominated for this award, becoming a finalist and presenting to the judges, was an important time of reflection. It made me step back and think about the passion I have for Sales, how I have achieved success, and how I can build on that success by supporting others. Sitting in a room of 170 successful women on judging day was inspiring, and seemed a world away from when I first joined Sales and was very often the only woman in the room. This is an important shift in representation in Sales, and I am keen to use my platform to further push this positive change. I would recommend the nomination process to anyone: for the contacts you will make along the way, the way it makes nominees feel to be industry recognised and for the fantastic party at the end of it!

My motivation to continue to drive success is to make my family proud. I want to be a role model for my daughter to demonstrate to her that she can be whoever she wants to be, and her career whatever she wants to make it. Women can bring our whole authentic selves to work, challenge the status quo, empower our colleagues to be their best selves and achieve our aspirationswhatever they might be •

A lot of the time, in fact, I have imposter syndrome, however ‘fake it until you make it’ has been my motto when faced with uncomfortable situations or when I genuinely felt out of my depth.

2022 SALES DIRECTOR WINNER Kira Levy

Head of Healthcare | Amazon Web Services

KIRA LEVY

Iam an epidemiologist and prior to COVID, I spent most of my career explaining to people that ‘no, I am not a skin doctor.’ I have spent time working as a management consultant, and as a healthcare product director, both of which were equally hard to explain, especially to my daughters. When I started working for Amazon, they told all their friends that I was a delivery driver, which was more tangible.

My overarching emotion being nominated for a WISA is pride. Pride to be part of a group of such accomplished, impressive women – all of whom have their own deeply personal and inspiring stories; and pride that I can finally explain to my family that even if they don’t understand what I do entirely – I am being recognised all the hard work and sacrifices I have made over the last twenty years.

I have spent the last 20 years working in large corporate organisations, all of which were male dominated and most of which had cultures that valued individual contribution over team collaboration. At the beginning of my corporate career, I measured success by just doing a good job – I had no time for aspirations beyond that; I lived thousands of miles away from my family, had two small children and a husband in the military who was deployed more than he was home.

To keep my career on track and manage my family on my own, I had to ruthlessly prioritise what mattered to me, and more often than not – that meant investing time in my customers, but opting out of much of the internal corporate activity that can ultimately dictate your career progression. And even back then, I was struck by a complete

You can get things wrong and still be right a lot; you can be vulnerable and you can be strong; you can be kind all the time and still be tough when you need to be; you can be patient and insist on the highest standards; you can change your mind and learn new skills at any age.

deficit of role models. No one looked like me. Big corporate culture tends to lend itself to stereotypically male leadership behaviours and whilst there were a few women in leadership roles – they either weren’t married, didn’t have children or had a partner at home as the primary care giver. Figuring how to navigate and build my career whilst preserving the things that matter most to me was daunting in the absence of strong female role models. It was also very lonely.

Fast forward to now and I am Head of Healthcare for Amazon Web Service UK Public Sector. Every day, I get to work alongside healthcare customers working to improve the National Health Service to the benefit of every UK citizen. And I have the privilege of leading a large, diverse, multi-disciplinary team, who irrespective of backgrounds,

are driven by the same desire to innovate and make an impact.

I have had a very non-linear career path and it’s taken me a long time to figure out my own leadership model. I think the most important message that we need to be communicating – particularly given all the uncertainty in the world, is that we can all be more than one thing. You can be a mum, and a single parent and represent AWS in global forums; you can work part-time, like I did for 6 years, and still build your career in the way you want to build it; you can get things wrong and still be right a lot; you can be vulnerable and you can be strong; you can be kind all the time and still be tough when you need to be; you can be patient and insist on the highest standards; you can change your mind and learn new skills at any age. It has taken me a long time to have the courage to not only embrace

all these parts of me but show them in the workplace, and even longer to realise it was the combination of all of these things that made me the leader and role model I am to other women. I am grateful of the platform WISA provides to tell my story – and I hope it makes it easier for other women to tell their own •

WINNER Vic Jackson

Senior Business Development Manager | Experian

VIC JACKSON

I’m still absolutely amazed that I have come so far in my career to be nominated let alone be selected as a finalist and then WIN my category as Best Business Development. In the time between being nominated, submitting further information about myself and my career and the day I found out I was a finalist was a really exciting time. I flipped between bouts of imposter syndrome to uncharacteristic confidence.

The day I found out I was a finalist in my category of Business Development I was constantly refreshing Linkedin on my laptop and phone. During this process I have formed a strong bond with the other nominees from Experian and we were all messaging each other with words of encouragement and congratulations once we found out who was through to the final. The moment I found out I had been selected as a finalist I immediately called my

Self-appreciation isn’t something that I’ve been good with embracing but winning the WISA Best Business Development Award has made me realise how far the shy, quirky, bullied girl from a small town has come.

Mum and Dad and before they could put me on speaker phone I shouted “I’m throooooough”.

Taking part and winning this award has made me feel proud and that I have a job to do, to drive a culture that allows us to embrace our diversity and by identifying our talent work towards equality. Hearing my name called out as the winner of my category has got to be the proudest moment of my career, particularly as I was surrounded by my peers. I would like to encourage my organisation

to continue in nominating talented sales women in our business and encourage other businesses to do the same. When meeting some of the other finalists it was fantastic to see the amazing talent across are industry across all ages and roles, I would encourage other businesses to nominate members of their sales function.

Self-appreciation isn’t something that I’ve been good with embracing but winning the WISA Best Business Development Award has made me realise how far the shy, quirky, bullied girl from a small town has come. I plan to help other women in my industry by encouraging my peers to stand up to poor behaviours. I have a responsibility to instil belief in those that doubt themselves, inspiring them to be their authentic selves in the pursuit of personal and sales success. I’m so excited to see what happens next and how I can help change our industry for the good •

SALES WINNER

SARAH MURGATROYD

The landscape for women in sales careers is finally changing, and I’m delighted to be a part of that journey. When I first started at what was then O2 back as a fresh faced graduate, walking into a room full of middle-aged white men that just saw me as too young and too female to be able to effectively do my job, I knew that I had to change their mindset. Those same men now recognise that women from all backgrounds have a key place in the world of sales and that differing perspectives and diversity is a key player in the growth of any organisation; I’m extremely proud in the part I played in that journey.

The first thing I did after hearing that I was nominated for Best Woman in Technology Sales was cry with pride. I am one of the lucky individuals that absolutely loves their job, I live and breathe technology and in my field as an IoT Specialist, I love being able to assist my customers with genuine business transformation through technology. So to

even be nominated for the award, and recognised by my managerial team that I am a leader for women in our area, was extremely humbling. After I’d finished a quiet tear and a note of sincere thanks to the senior manager that nominated me, I immediately phoned my father. I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere in Shropshire, UK; my life used to be run by lambing season and outdoor tasks, spending my time in the fresh air and loving the quiet life.

My father, the ultimate feminist, taught me that I can

do anything I want to if I work hard enough to get there and prove any doubters wrong, so I knew he would be as over the moon as I was about the nomination. So when this farm girl decided becoming a leader in technology sales was the career to aim for, I had the full support of both my parents and a lot of strategic help from my father to get the skills I needed.

If you told me ten years ago that not only was I excelling in a technology sales career but that I had actually won an AWARD for my contribution to sales, I would never have believed you.

I am one of the lucky individuals that absolutely loves their job, I live and breathe technology and in my field as an IoT Specialist, I love being able to assist my customers with genuine business transformation through technology.

A student of French and Italian at university, overwhelmed by the city having come from my small farm, this career choice perhaps wasn’t an obvious one; however winning this award confirms to me that not only was it the right choice to make for me personally, but that any woman can do any job she chooses well if she’s willing to work hard to get there. This fundamental truth is a message that I believe needs to be spread far and wide not only to women, but to any minority group that feels they can’t follow the path they would really like to. Having won the award, I would like to use this to create a positive impact on women and other minority groups to encourage following their own paths to success. I plan to create a support group for Women In Sales with regular webinars on LinkedIn to help develop missing skills required for roles in sales, and use this as a platform to offer mentorship schemes with women both in and outside my organisation.

Encouraging other organisations to recognise the good work that women in their businesses are doing in their sales journeys is an important way to continue positively changing the landscape for the gender divide in sales as a profession. I would encourage any organisation to consider nominating women in their organisation for a Women In Sales Award in 2023, not just for the benefit of the individual women but as a way to recognise their hard work and encourage their employees to feel more valued in their roles. If you’re reading this as a prospective nominator of women in their respective sales fields, then don’t hesitate. Receiving nominations for awards not only made me feel respected and valued as an employee, but it’s encouraging me to further invest my career at an incredible organisation that clearly wants it’s employees to succeed.

If you’re reading this as a future nominee for a Women In Sales Awards, then congratulations

and please go for it! I personally have had a wonderful experience at WISA – I was also nominated for another category in 2017, and although I didn’t win that year, I had a wonderful time and learnt a lot about myself. It propelled me into wanting to get nominated again, and five years later here I am having won in my category. The nomination questionnaire takes some consideration, and I’d recommend getting outside input once you’ve written it to see how you come across to different individuals. The finals day is fantastic fun –the presentation, questions and pitch I found to be a great experience! Everyone is so friendly and helpful, but this is your time to really get your personality across to the judges and express why you think you should win the award, so you can make it whatever you feel best displays your key attributes and have some fun with it. But the best part of becoming a finalist is the awards dinner! Buying a ballgown, dressing up and having a night of fun with your colleagues and peers is a fantastic way to do some networking whilst letting your hair down a little!

I’d like to close my article with a huge thanks to the individual contributions to my career that got me to this position in the first place. My parents and husband for always believing I could do it and encouraging me to put myself out there, the various mentors and managers throughout my career that have assisted me with navigating politics and learning new skills, and the Women In Sales Awards themselves for not only running such fantastic events but for their contribution to making women in the sales profession feel valued and encouraged to become leaders

WINNER

Sarah Uddin

Director of Customer Success & Experience | Apogee Corporation

SARAH UDDIN

Being shortlisted as a finalist was an amazing feeling.

I’ve always believed that the customer is at the heart of everything we do so it’s wonderful to receive the recognition that comes as a result of my and my teams' achievements in delivering service excellence.

My family surprised me when I got home with flowers, wine, and chocolate – what more could I ask for?

Our industry is continually evolving and to ensure we continue to optimise, grow and develop new business, we must ensure we are proactive in maintaining important customer relationships and continue to develop our services.

Customer Success & Experience is a culture that transcends all areas of an organisation to ensure we add value throughout the customer's journey.

The whole experience has been a great learning opportunity,

hugely insightful, and a real confidence boost. Often the biggest challenge is oneself and owning our talents. We can be our worst critics and the process has allowed me to reflect both professionally and personally and realise how far I’d progressed in my career –even better knowing there is still so much more to achieve.

The summit event held alongside the day judging gave me key takeaways and left me feeling even more empowered than when I’d entered the room. All of the finalists were probably as nervous as each other however the judges instantly made you feel at ease felt like a conversation among peers.

was a brilliant opportunity to discuss our shared challenges and also explore their defining moments.

I feel personally very humbled to have won in a category with 6 other amazing women, who are so inspirational in their field. Receiving recognition for the values I maintain, my determination, and the hard work I put in, is one of the defining moments of my career and I couldn’t be prouder.

In the future, I’m looking forward to helping mentor other women in Sales and Customer Service to believe in themselves, take risks and break through the glass ceiling. I would encourage business leaders to get involved with WISA and nominate. It is a unique process that brings together the best women in Europe and prompts conversation and relationships, as well as recognising the amazing achievements of women within our businesses •

It

Receiving recognition for the values I maintain, my determination, and the hard work I put in, is one of the defining moments of my career and I couldn’t be prouder.

Nicole Farid

NICOLE FARID

Iam honestly over the moon to be a winner!

It is such an honour to be able to celebrate my winning with my ICIS colleagues at the Gala Dinner! The entire process was beautiful from when I found out I was nominated, to the well-planned Judging Day that has got me here!

This award means so much for not only my career at ICIS on the Journey towards being recognised as a top woman in Sales but given it is an external

award it is something I will carry and be proud of as a huge achievement whatever I go on to do in my professional Career.

My journey in sales over the years has made me realise how important it is to recognise the talented women out there as we lead with intuition, kindness and empathy which are true superpowers and not something to be underestimated! We do this with our clients and peers daily while still running our homes and taking care of our families in the

background which is why we are masters of multitasking!

I will not only make sure to always drive for further female hiring in my team in future but also this journey is a road to having more women in leadership in future. This year I participated in the awards with my 3 amazing female colleagues, and I am hoping next year we will have even more nominations from ICIS!

I wanted to say I am proud of every single one of the 170 nominated women, I had the honour of meeting many of you at the Judging Day and Gala Dinner and I am amazed by your talent, smart brains and inspiration across different companies and Industries.

Every single one of you truly deserve the recognition! Continue to be yourselves and we will all do wonderful things in the world! •

My journey in sales over the years has made me realise how important it is to recognise the talented women out there as we lead with intuition, kindness and empathy which are true superpowers and not something to be underestimated!

NIKKI SIAN

What an incredible and unforgettable experience

this has been. The entire process has been invaluable and one that has afforded me the opportunity to really reflect upon and feel proud of my achievements across a particularly challenging few years.

To firstly be nominated and become a finalist within the Customer Service Manager category was a hugely rewarding privilege. To then go on to be announced as a winner was a complete surprise and an absolute honour. Upon hearing my name called out, I was overcome with emotion, pride and happiness, I still cannot quite believe it.

During the WISA summit judging day, I had the pleasure of meeting all the amazing and talented women within this category. What I loved the most was how, during a rather nerve wrecking day, we were all routing for and supporting one another. It did not feel like we were in competition but more that we were here to celebrate us all being finalists, a great sense of camaraderie.

What I think is great about the Women in Sales Awards is that it recognises the importance and value in promoting gender diversity in the workplace. Recognition plays an important role in making employees feel valued and motivated. I personally did not know about the WIS Awards until I was nominated this year but having now been a part of it I certainly intend on spreading the word

for 2023! I work alongside so many incredible and talented women whom I would love to see nominated next year.

I would like to say a big thank you to my manager Samantha Emery for not only nominating me for this award but also mentoring me throughout the process and instilling confidence in me. I would also like to thank Virgin Media O2, for being a great employer. I have been with the company for 10 years. As a working mum with two young children, the juggle can often be challenging. I am grateful to work for a company that has so many great initiatives and benefits in place that support and help bring out the best in its employee’s •

During a rather nerve wrecking day, we were all routing for and supporting one another. It did not feel like we were in competition but more that we were here to celebrate us all being finalists, a great sense of camaraderie.

Saskia Borburgh

Strategic Account Manager | ICIS

The e-mail with the news that I was nominated for the Women in Sales Awards was a great surprise. Knowing my submission would be one of many, I had not expected to be selected as a finalist, but I felt really excited. For me, it was another confirmation that joining ICIS was a great decision, and I am incredibly honored to represent the company which has been so crucial in furthering my professional and personal growth over the last 2 years. The last time I won anything

was a lip sync battle when I was 6, so needless to say, my expectations were low!

When I arrived in London for the judging day and experienced the buzz of the city I once briefly called home, it was exhilarating to be able to be part of the finals. The excitement held pace with a healthy dose of nerves, but I immediately felt part of a great team when I met my fellow finalists. There was a sense of camaraderie and mutual support in my category, despite the fact we were competing against one another. Being surrounded by so many ambitious and strong peers meant that there

was a great energy in the room and the day flew by with informative panel discussions, networking and of course the all-important interview.

I am incredibly proud to have won this award and consider my win an achievement that not only reflects well on my high performance but also my female colleagues, who are some of the most intelligent, dedicated and supportive women I’ve had the pleasure to work with in my career. All of us are operating in the male-dominated world of petrochemicals and energy, and it shows how successful our teams are as we work day in, day out to achieve the company’s goals and further

diversity in our organisation and the industry as a whole.

Throughout my career, I’ve often been told to be tougher and louder and, at times, this has made me question if I was making the right career choices to be in sales, where closing deals is too often seen as a contest of ‘us versus them’. But being hard-working, supportive and willing to work as a team to provide the best solutions for clients is actually a key to long-term success.

Winning this award is testament to the fact that in this company you can excel by being authentic and true

to who you are. The advice I would offer to companies considering submitting their nominations next year, would be a wholehearted “yes”. The recognition and celebration of your female salesforce is so important, and especially in these turbulent times •

Throughout my career, I’ve often been told to be tougher and louder and, at times, this has made me question if I was making the right career choices to be in sales, where closing deals is too often seen as a contest of ‘us versus them’.

Katrin Gillett

Senior Solutions Consultant | Adobe Systems GmbH

KATRIN GILLETT

From the moment I was confirmed as a WISA finalist, I was convinced I had what it took to bring this award home.

Yet the moment I was announced as a winner of the Sales Engineering category, I felt overwhelmed with joy and incredibly humbled.

Why did I think I deserved this honour? I had spent roughly the last two years working relentlessly on my personal and professional development, studying part-time next to work, taking on mentoring, stretch assignments and

spending time shadowing Adobe’s very own CEO Shantanu Narayen - learning from the best what it truly means to be a leader. I also started thinking about all the support I had been given in my career and ways of paying it forward to other talents. And when I learnt I had been nominated for the award, I thought to myself: “Yes, this would be an incredible recognition of your dedication, and a sign you should continue on this path”.

In my interview I’d shared a very personal story of how and most of all why I got where I am today, and that I strongly believe

in putting others’ why firstafter all it’s at the core of what they do, at least if you believe in what Simon Sinek said.

I ended on the note that whatever happened - award winner or not - it wouldn’t change my commitment to supporting other women as an advocate for wellbeing and body positivity or in my very new role as a mentor. However, winning this award will forever remind me of this commitment and that stepping out of our comfort zones is what it often takes to achieve great success.

Going through this experience, preparing for judging day and finally meeting so many other talented women and hearing their stories has been very rewarding. I hope that in the years to come I can pass on my experiences and advice to many other women at Adobe. After all we have some exceptional talent in our ranks that I would like to see recognised for their outstanding achievements in this very magazine. I can only encourage every employer out there to utilise

this platform to empower the women in their organizations and to further promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.

There is still a long road ahead of us, many stories untold and many out there that we can and must change. Let’s get going! •

I ended on the note that whatever happened - award winner or not - it wouldn’t change my commitment to supporting other women as an advocate for wellbeing and body positivity or in my very new role as a mentor.

WINNER

Maayan Rahav

MANAGER WINNER

MAAYAN RAHAV

hen I discovered I was nominated by my AVP for the WISA in the Key Account Manager category I was speechless. Being an account manager has been the most exciting, challenging, and yet rewarding journey I’ve had so far, and I am thankful for every bit of it.

I feel privileged to be working in an organization that takes the time and effort to recognize the success of its employees and can’t thank my team

Wenough for all their hard work and support, I wouldn’t have been here without them.

During the application time, I reflected on my past journey and looking back on all of the successes I've achieved and the challenges I’ve overcome has made me proud of what I’ve accomplished and excited for what is yet to come.

I began my account management path with no previous experience and having strong women in leading positions as role models inspired me to work hard and build myself to become a top performer both in

retaining and growing clients so that one day I will be able to inspire other women. Although I work in a male-dominated industry, strong women who empowered me to become a better version of myself and always go beyond to achieve targets always surrounded me. Nowadays, I try to do my best to lead by example and break through any glass ceiling to make sure there is always a woman leading the leaderboard and I believe this is one of the reasons why other women in my company value my work.

Taking part in the Women

In Sales Awards has been an incredibly empowering experience. I got to meet and share this journey with amazing and Inspirational women which I have learned so much from. Being a finalist is already a big accomplishment for me, therefore I am truly honored to have actually won the award.

By winning this award, I hope to inspire and set an example to other women and men equally around me to

find their own unique value and voice be more confident in themselves, and never be afraid to aim the highest so that we can continue seeing equality between women and men as top performers and leaders •

Nowadays, I try to do my best to lead by example and break through any glass ceiling to make sure there is always a woman leading the leaderboard and I believe this is one of the reasons why other women in my company value my work.

2022 SALES OPERATIONS MANAGER WINNER EMMA RICHARDS

Iwould be lying to you if I said that my career has always been pointed towards Sales. Growing up, I focused on medicine; being a Doctor was all I wanted to do, and I didn't entertain anything else. My Caribbean background helped to emphasise this as one of the few career paths open to me. That said, I had always loved technology. Problemsolving was, and still is, my true happy place. Wondering what the name of the bone in your leg is, or need to replace the hard drive on your computer? I would jump at answering both.

After a few years of studying medicine and medical sciences, I started a summer job with a small tech start-up. They promised to teach coding skills, something I had been eyeing for a while. That initial tech job changed my career path, and years later, I'm happily still here. Problem-solving remains at the heart of what I do today, as I run a team of fantastic Solution Engineers who work with our customers to solve their software-based problems.

Being selected as a finalist just shy of a year into my management path deeply humbled me; I have fought hard to get to this point in my career. Being selected, being seen, felt like the most significant professional acknowledgement I had received. After liking and thanking the LinkedIn and Slack posts, I walked over to my partner and hugged him. I mention this because he and many others are on my 'board of advisors'; the board includes many women and allies. I am eternally grateful to the board who have had a helping

hand in shaping my career; I wouldn't be where I am today without them, so thank you.

It was an even bigger shock to find out I had won! It is an incredible honour, especially given the high calibre of the women in my category. When I think about what success looks like, it comes down to whether I can take learn from any situation; if we are all honest with ourselves, we can learn from every situation. It doesn't have to be particularly involved; however, taking time to reflect, working out

When I think about what success looks like, it comes down to whether I can take learn from any situation; if we are all honest with ourselves, we can learn from every situation.

better avenues or giving yourself the congratulations you deserve is crucial.

After giving myself time for the win to sink in, I have plans to use this to better help women in sales, particularly in tech sales, which is where I am. I believe the industry has made remarkable strides in being a lot more inclusive, which I am proud to see in Salesforce too. But, crucially, I want to make sure we use this win (notice I say we) to bring each other

along on the journey. As a woman, and in particular, an ethnic minority woman, when one of us wins, we all win. I will shout this louder for those at the back - we all win.

When I look back, I have used this mentality to push forward with the projects and initiatives I complete in and out of work. From founding Salesforce's Employee Resource Group for those of African and Caribbean heritage, BOLDforce, to creating and leading a

mentorship project with Salesforce's UK&I Leadership team. The "we win as a team" mentality was present when I led a global team of volunteers to Kenya to complete a unique project with the Open Street Map team. Closer to home, it certainly drives me with the mentoring I do with early-incareers women. Whereever you are, bring everyone on the journey with you.

Looking to the future, I would wholly advise any company to nominate their female employees; recognition in a forum like this is an incredible achievement and honour, and one we should encourage more people to lean into. For those future nominees, the best advice I have for you is to bring your true authentic self to the table. I can't emphasise this enough; your story, whatever that looks like, deserves to be heard.

When I think back to a young Emma, with her very different aims in life, I look back with pride. All the lessons I have learned along the way, whether difficult or easy, have taught me something essential about myself and made me who I am today, and will be in the future •

WINNER

Sasha Samuels

SASHA SAMUELS

The first thing I did when receiving the news that I had become a finalist for WISA was to message all my mentors and thank them for all the support they have provided me throughout my career. When I received the news, I felt various emotions, I was shocked, but excited at the same time!

Had I told myself I would be a finalist 6 months ago, I wouldn't have believed it!Why? Well, that old 'imposter syndrome' would kick in! Applying for WISA and getting all the way

to the finals made me realise I could overcome all my fears and really showcase what I believe in and have the chance to share it with others alike.

Taking part in WISA has been an extraordinary experience for me and really pushed me out of my comfort zone. I’ve learnt so much throughout this process and have met the most inspiring women along the way. Participating in WISA is more than just an awards summit, its a great platform for women to share their experiences, learn from one another and celebrate our wins.

I'm honored to be the winner of the WISA 2022 software sales category award. It is the biggest professional achievement and milestone for me so far in my career and I can honestly say it's the proudest moment I've had. It’s really given me the confidence and platform to share my message and experience with others, which is really exciting!

As a winner and ambassador of WISA, my main focus will be to build and create opportunities for female talent, early in career within software sales as I want to help them have a fast start and remove barriers that slowed me down. My approach is to partner with senior leadership across my organisation through our diversity groups, communities and talent advisors. I plan to build and present bespoke sessions focused around sharing my journey and what set me up for success, such tools, methodologies and focused communities groups that have assisted me tremendously in navigating to my success. My aim is to share the learning and development platforms that I utilised in each stage of my journey thus far that has

helped me bridge my gaps, and I will be building a continuous engagement plan for success focused on young female talent.

My employer, Salesforce has been participating in WISA for a number of years and I'm truly grateful that they do, as it really does give female talent a chance to pause and focus on their self growth and realise what's important to them. As a winner, I would continue to encourage Salesfoce to support and participate in 2023, having spent the day with

many finalists, the benefit and learnings are real and drives motivation and self belief.

The advice I would give companies considering submitting 2023 nominations would be to embrace the WISA initiative and what it stands for from the top down. Acknowledging employees' success through participating in WISA is a powerful indication of an organisation’s culture and core values that are committed to their diversity & inclusion strategy

•

Applying for WISA and getting all the way to the finals made me realise I could overcome all my fears and really showcase what I believe in and have the chance to share it with others alike.

Melissa Feaviour

ISA 2022 - what a fabulous experience! I am so grateful to have been a part of the process and thankful to have had the opportunity to connect with many wonderful people that I would have not otherwise met.

After seeing I’d been selected as a finalist, I quickly shared my news with colleagues, friends and family, thanking all the people that had supported me in the process thus far. After this, I went back to the WISA LinkedIn page to start looking at all the other finalists' names and photos in both my category and the other categories. There is already a high calibre of saleswomen within my team at Salesforce alone that I am fortunate to work with, so it was not a surprise to me

that I was being considered alongside brilliant talent - but to formally see these other exceptional finalists, from different backgrounds and industries was so exciting. I could not wait for the judging day for us all to meet.

Even with my high expectations, the judging day exceeded these still. The day was energising and thoughtprovoking. It is inspiring to see such a powerful group of people all come together and be as passionate as I am about the sales profession - all with the drive to be successful but create a more diverse and inclusive culture. Hearing the different perspectives and experiences of other women excelling in their field, along with insights shared in panel sessions organised by WISA, is something that is invaluable and will have a direct positive impact on my career moving forward.

With all of this in mind, to then be announced as the winner in my category is a complete honour. Staying true to your authentic self can be challenging as a woman, particularly in the maledominated teams I have been part of over the years. Now it feels great to have an award to be able to say confidently - women can thrive in sales and you don’t have to change yourself to fit in - in fact, your inherent skills as a woman can be key to your success when you understand how and why to utilise them.

I intend to use my achievement to drive this message to other women who may be lacking in confidence in their sales careers to show they, as themselves, are already enough and have the skills to excel.

Coming from a scientific background myself, I had never

considered sales as a career path initially. I find that there is still a dated and harmful stereotype around sales and ‘sales culture’, which creates a barrier to a more diverse talent pipeline. This had been a barrier in my own consideration of sales as a career path initially! A key aspect of this is a lack of visible role models within this field which challenges these stereotypes. Due to this, I believe we are missing out on intelligent, motivated individuals who would thrive within the sales profession. Moving forward, I aim to be a more publicly visible ambassador for the sales profession and want to encourage others to do the

same. My ambition is that the younger generation will have a different perspective at a younger age so that they can discover and target sales as a professional career path earlier on and understand the fantastic opportunities and rewards that it brings.

I would strongly urge all companies to take part in this for 2023 - it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talented women in your organisation and provide the recognition they deserve.

In considering your nominations, I would advise you to put forward your sales talent who are not only successful

in their sales metrics but who are also passionate about the sales profession and making a difference to support diversity and equality. I have seen firsthand how this collective group is making a direct contribution to this cause and this impact is growing each year. With the continuation of this process, we can continue to make a positive impact to support and celebrate women in sales, from those already making an impact in their careers through to the women and girls who do not even realise that sales could be a career path for them - yet! •

Now it feels great to have an award to be able to say confidently - women can thrive in sales and you don’t have to change yourself to fit in - in fact, your inherent skills as a woman can be key to your success when you understand how and why to utilise them.

2022 SALES MENTOR WINNER

Felicity Starr

Regional Vice President | Salesforce

The first thing I did after hearing I had been selected as a finalist was to smile with joy and deep gratitude. Then excitedly call everyone in my phone book! To win this award is a dream come true which I will treasure forever. To be recognised for something I care so passionately about is fittingly rewarding and magical. It reinforces my love in helping women and gives such a confidence boost.

Moving forward I will continue to mentor women within and outside my industry, as well as younger women, pre-career, who are looking for guidance and a safe space to ideate their future. Immediately after Judging day I signed up to Digital Boost, a community of volunteer

experts who help small businesses & charities thrive. I am now a mentor within the platform for the female mentees, providing personalised advice and guidance in B2B sales & marketing, data analytics and business strategy (my specialist areas).

I believe more than ever in mentoring and creating psychological safe environments for women to think for themselves, to stand up and be counted. To install trust in themselves. I will continue to mentor young women; from 121 mentoring to group sessions; I teach teenagers every Friday afternoon at a local school, providing mechanisms to boost morale, reduce anxiety and stress, and as an output enabling women to grow in confidence and resilience.

Given I work in a successful business who champions volunteering and giving back I am acutely aware that money helps support and enable women to reach their potential. With this in mind I will continue to fundraise and raise awareness for women, especially for female minority groups and those who have experienced trauma.

My experience in taking part in the awards has been exciting and educational. I have learnt a great deal from my judges and my peer finalists. I also enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on my personal achievements and how many women I actually support which is nourishing and heart warming.

I would advise everyone to nominate other women for the 2023 WISA awards. The

renewed energy I have found in myself since being nominated is exciting and productive. My renewed pride and motivation is a delight. I have never received an award in business. I have worked for 24 years, successful in every role, driven and signed large complex multi million software deals and now lead a team of sales executives and yet in 24 years I have not stopped to enjoy what I have achieved until now.

If I have any advice to people reading this article it's please nominate! The act of being nominated is a great honour, pleasure and inspiration. If you nominate, thank you because you are supporting a hard working woman, who in turn will support other hard working people, creating the positive ripple effect

•

I teach teenagers every Friday afternoon at a local school, providing mechanisms to boost morale, reduce anxiety and stress, and as an output enabling women to grow in confidence and resilience.

HOLLY RYDER-SMITH

Iwas sitting in a meeting when I could suddenly see multiple messages appearing on my phone, immediately I thought "oh gosh what’s happened?" I glanced down and saw my manager's name, “Huge congratulations!

I knew you could do it!”. A big smile spread across my face as a wave of excitement and achievement washed over me.

To be recognised and nominated by Virgin Media O2, and the people I admire and work with was humbling enough, to then go on to become a finalist and actually win the title of Best Woman in Digital Sales Europe has left me completely speechless!

Developing and finding new ways to bring a human touch

to a digital interaction is something I am passionate about within my career in digital sales. I have always loved challenging the status quo with how I deliver initiatives and experiences to our customers, finding new ways of thinking when approaching constantly changing environments with the ever-evolving nature of consumer trends and shopping behaviours. To have these achievements recognised by industry experts is an indescribable feeling and one that has deeply motivated me to continue to strive for success and to support and guide other women coming up in our sales environment.

For me strength comes in many different forms, from the strength to follow your

own path and to believe in yourself, to the strength it takes to trust in those around you and to encourage the best out of other people. I have been lucky throughout my life to be surrounded by strong people, and in particular strong women, who have all helped shape and guide me to become the person I am today.

When I began my career, I had only just come out to myself and to my family as gay. I had received some bad advice from someone close to me who had told me it was important to hide this part of myself at work, to ensure I fit the norm and not hinder my progression. I quickly began to realise how detrimental

this was, not just to myself and own mental wellbeing but also to my efficiency at work. This impacted those around me, I was not able to be open and honest, which in turn created an unbalanced working environment. I was surrounded by women in the workplace, who all had their own stories and were truly embracing what made them unique, giving them their own spark. I consciously made a change, embraced myself and have not looked back.

Being a part of the Women in Sales Awards has been an experience I have truly enjoyed and one I will not forget, the judges were warm and engaging and so interested to hear about my achievements.

I met some brilliant women from across Europe and heard from inspiring industry experts that have left me feeling both empowered and humbled.

I am a true advocate of bringing your authentic self to work and I'm lucky to work for a company that has created an environment that promotes this. I hope that by winning this award I can demonstrate the success you can achieve by being true to who you are, and for it to help influence women around me to embrace their own spark, as it is this that allows us to generate the biggest waves •

For me strength comes in many different forms, from the strength to follow your own path and to believe in yourself, to the strength it takes to trust in those around you and to encourage the best out of other people.

Sabiha Din

Manager Strategic Planning, Global Enterprise Strategy | American Express

SABIHA DIN

Iam elated to have won the Woman in Sales Award. This is a milestone my younger self could not have envisioned achieving. Whilst this award is recognising my contribution to the success of the FXIP team at American Express, it’s important I highlight that it wouldn’t have been possible for me to reach this point without the support and guidance of countless leaders and peers across my organisation.

Participating in the WISA process has been a wonderful opportunity for me to reflect deeply on my career journey. Many years ago, I entered the world of Financial Services with a degree in Biomedical Science in the hope this world would give me a fair chance

at reaching my full potential. On the surface, one may say I have been successful in achieving my aspirations, as I continuously challenged the status quo to secure opportunities which spoke to my strengths and attain skills and experiences which enabled me to build a fulfilling career. Yet underlying all these achievements were countless experiences of being continually underestimated and even undermined. Unfortunately, these experiences aren’t limited to me, over the years, I have witnessed many women settle for less due to conversations which lead them to believe they are incapable of fulfilling their desired roles. It’s for this reason that we need platforms like the Women in Sales awards, so we

can showcase how powerful women are at driving change and delivering results and, in doing so, empower fellow women to pursue their dream career.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank some key contributors to my success. Firstly, my family. Your unwavering support of my life and career choices has been an underrated privilege in my life. I wouldn’t have had the courage to aim as high as I have if I didn’t have you all celebrating my success with me and supporting me during difficult phases.

Secondly, I’d like to thank American Express. The development infrastructure

of this organisation has been created to enable each colleague to achieve their full potential. I will be forever grateful to this organisation’s commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse culture which empowers colleagues to bring their whole self to work every day.

Finally, I’d like to thank all the leaders I have worked with for their guidance and coaching which has moulded me into the professional I am today. Whilst I have worked with too many wonderful leaders to name, there is one leader who I must call out. The name of that leader is Claire Seydoux. Many years ago, Claire gave me the role of a Business Analyst with no prior experience and, in doing so,

changed the whole trajectory of my career. She continuously built my confidence through positive reinforcement and would go above and beyond to get me the support I needed to succeed. Whilst we no longer work together, she is still the first person I turn to when I come face to face with unfamiliar situations.

If all of us could commit to playing the role of Claire in a fellow woman’s career journey, over time we could turn the tide and finally create an environment in which every woman is set up for success, encouraged to aim higher and empowered to achieve more than they ever deemed possible •

We need platforms like the Women in Sales awards, so we can showcase how powerful women are at driving change and delivering results and, in doing so, empower fellow women to pursue their dream career.

Kelly-Jo Edmeads

KELLY-JO EDMEADS

hen I was first nominated for this award, I was of course honoured to receive such recognition from my leader and wider leadership team but, there was a big part of me that questioned how I’d compare to the other nominees in my category?

For me, leading my team is a pleasure, never a chore therefore, being nominated for such a prestigious award for something that comes so naturally was not expected, but to WIN…. I genuinely cannot believe it!

I’m a true believer of everything happens for a reason and

Wwinning this award has only solidified for me the importance of believing in yourself and taking risks from time to time but most importantly, when an opportunity presents itself snatch it with both hands because if you don’t, you will always wonder what if?

If I hadn’t, then I would not be celebrating this fantastic achievement today!

In 2014 I was presented with a life changing decision that I knew in my heart would be the start of something great, but it came at a cost. It meant putting my career before my son, or so it felt.

I’d been offered my first sales role at American Express, but it was based out of our London office which meant commuting

2 hours to work and 2 hours back every day. Thankfully, following some wise words from a very wise woman who was my director at the time, I knew that I could make this work. That and the ongoing support from my number one fan, my mum who stepped up her “Nana” duties above and beyond so that I could embark on this new career journey.

During my career in sales, I’ve sold sky warranties, wheelie bin and window cleans, Wi-Fi and foreign currency solutions but now, I don’t sell products or services… I sell sales!

I currently manage 16 sales managers and 2 sub team leaders but since the creation of this team back in 2018 I have hired 30 individuals, some of

which are still with me today and others that I have supported with progression into new roles, but ALL of which have contributed to the strength and success of this team. In the words of Marshall Goldsmith “You’re only as good as your team” and with that in mind I share this award with all of you. So, thank you to: Harriet, Stewart, Jack, Elime, Oscar, Todd, Lewis A, Lewis B, Amy, Tamara, Jenny, Andy, Nicola, James, Tobin, Ashleigh, Simone, Kyle, Matt, Joe W, Freyja, Ben, Zeke, Danny, Greg, Kynan, Joe A, Alex, Nick and Abbie. It is because of your belief in me that together we’re able to bring to life the vision I have for the team. Thank you all for being a part of this journey and thank you WISA for giving woman in sales this opportunity to be recognised. Going through this process and seeing in front of

me all of my great achievements has been a welcoming reminder of what we’re truly capable of when we love what we do!

In considering your nominations, I would advise you to put forward your sales talent who are not only successful in their sales metrics but who are also passionate about the sales profession and making a difference to support diversity and equality. I have seen firsthand how this collective group is making a direct contribution to this cause and this impact is growing each year. With the continuation of this process, we can continue to make a positive impact to support and celebrate women in sales, from those already making an impact in their careers through to the women and girls who do not even realise that sales could be a career path for them - yet! •

During my career in sales, I’ve sold sky warranties, wheelie bin and window cleans, Wi-Fi and foreign currency solutions but now, I don’t sell products or services… I sell sales!

Yekta Gerami

Ihad just come out of back to back meetings and had a million thoughts running through my head. That’s when I heard my colleague shout my name and congratulate me. I was confused and quickly tried to process until I heard the words “you’re a finalist!”. Every single thought and emotion was replaced with pure joy, excitement and gratitude - I imagine this is what winning the lottery feels like. I felt so honoured to be considered amongst such incredible women, allies, and mentors, and so lucky to have this opportunity to represent and recognise my achievements and journey.

The judging day itself was electric. We heard from some inspirational panelists and speakers and the energy in the room was contagious. And what an incredible opportunity to meet the accomplished finalists around me. Leading up to the interview, I was equally excited as I was nervous - my presentation to the judges took stock of the last 30 years of my life spanning across my career and personal life; I talked about setting up an arts club at the age of 6, my passion for tennis, how my failed marriage shaped who I am, and the importance of being the voice of the women who don’t have one.

I never thought I would be where I am today and it made me even more grateful to have the opportunity to take part in this Award. My message to the judges as well as my own personal mantra was; be authentic, believe in yourself and never give up.

Having gone through the highs of becoming a finalist and experiencing the judging day, I didn’t think anything could top that feeling. But I was wrongas they announced the winners and my name was called out as the winner of the Fields Sales category, I was overwhelmed

with emotions. I felt so proud and grateful to have been recognised, especially given the remarkable women I had met on the Judging Day. The evening was an unforgettable celebration of not just the winners but of all the inspiring finalists.

I feel very privileged to be given this award to not only recognise my achievements but to connect with other women in the industry and provide a platform to better support and elevate the women around me in their journeys.

A huge thank you to WISA for this opportunity and congratulations to all the other winners •

My message to the judges as well as my own personal mantra was; be authentic, believe in yourself and never give up.

WINNER Jessica Perkins

JESSICA PERKINS

Iwas so excited and proud when I heard I was selected as a finalist for Financial Sales. Being selected meant representing not just myself but also my company and other women in financial sales. It’s a responsibility I take seriously, and it was truly humbling to see the response from past and present employees congratulating me!

The judging day itself was incredibly well organised and executed, and my favourite part hands down has been meeting other successful women from different companies and industries who all stand for

female representation and empowerment. I had great conversations around the topics of mentorship, self-worth, and female visibility and I have connected with many of the finalists who I’d never met before the judging day to share some of the initiatives going on in our own organisations.

To win this award and be recognised as the best woman in Financial Sales is PHENOMENAL!! It's hard to articulate the feeling although it's definitely a career highlight. My advice to companies considering submitting nominations is simple - DO

IT! I feel so grateful to be part of a company that wanted to recognise and promote my contributions both internally and externally. I encourage other organisations to invest in the recognition of their female talent and champion their success as it goes a long way to inspire us to push the boundaries further.

I hope to use this award and my story to empower other female colleagues to enter and continue to progress within the Financial Sales space. I’ve been a mentor for the last 3 years, and winning this award, from a

personal standpoint, has given me increased drive and energy to go on fighting to ensure there are enough visible and aspirational women in Financial Sales. I’ve spoken a lot about the importance of mentorship and building a strong network of sponsors in this process, and how crucial it is to both retain women in Financial Sales and to advance them! I would not be a winner in this category without the impact strong female leaders have had on my career, and I thank WISA for providing me with the platform to inspire more women to enter the

space. We need a strong pipeline of female talent as, without it, we can’t expect to continue to push towards gender equality in sales and leadership.

Thank you to WISA for giving me the opportunity to pause and reflect on my own career journey and to identify both my successes and challenges. WISA provides a platform and voice for the industry that inspires, influences and drives change, and I look forward to watching it thrive for years to come •

We need a strong pipeline of female talent as, without it, we can’t expect to continue to push towards gender equality in sales and leadership.

PAULA MULLINS

hat a wonderful surprise being selected as a finalist was, it really was a surprise as I was super delighted and extremely humbled to be nominated but never thought I would be selected as a finalist. Ever. And to have Won is simply incredible.

Being nominated for WISA is seen as a huge achievement within Virginmedia02, the recognition is extremely satisfying, rewarding and

Wa huge honour I’ve had the enormous privilege of working for Virginmedia02 for 12 years. It really is a wonderful place to work, I love my job and am proud to work alongside super talented, hardworking, fun Women who inspire me everyday to be the best I can be.

We had a number of shortlisted finalists in different categories, we all supported each other leading up to the judging day, to ensure that we were all as prepared as we could be. It was great to have the support of my colleagues during this process. And such great fun.

The judging day came around really quickly. The team at WISA were extremely helpful and provided advice and guidance on how we should prepare, with a full outline of what would happen and when. We take for granted what we do, so taking time out to really think about what I do on a day-to-day basis helps to me recognise my success and has allowed me to reflect on what I have achieved.

On the judging day, everyone was allocated to a table, it was lovely to meet lots of other finalists who have also been

nominated across various categories and I am really looking forward to catching up with them again at the Awards dinner! Everyone was so supportive, giving each other encouragement on the day and all-round moral support!

The panel discussions on the day were really relevant and inspiring, listening to the key speakers talk about their experiences and guidance was very insightful. It really was great to be part of the day and be involved in the end-to-end process. Everyone was very friendly and the

communication throughout from the WISA team and the judges has been fantastic.

I feel genuinely honoured not only to be nominated and shortlisted, but to be part of the event. The event is extremely well organised, and it’s great to see so many talented women working in sales recognised for the work that they do and an opportunity to celebrate their success! •

We take for granted what we do, so taking time out to really think about what I do on a dayto-day basis helps to me recognise my success and has allowed me to reflect on what I have achieved.

Prashanti Mukhi

Paulina Brissenden

Congratulations to the next generation of Women Sales Leaders

How to

Use Body

Language

By CAROL KINSEY GOMAN, PH.D.

Author of the award-winning book, “Stand Out: How to Build Your Leadership Presence” and the creator of LinkedIn Learning’s best-selling video course, “Body Language for Leaders” – with almost 3 million views. International presenter who can be reached by email: Carol@CarolKinseygoman.com or through her website: CarolKinseyGoman.com.

Leadership presence is not an attribute automatically assigned to you because of your business results. It isn’t necessarily reflective of your true qualities and potential. Instead, it depends entirely on how others evaluate you. Being perceived as a leader is the essence of leadership presence. Body language savvy can help you do that.

There are two sets of nonverbal signals that people look for in leaders: Warmth/Empathy/ Likeability and Power/ Authority/Status. Women usually get higher scores in the warmth category - which, especially in initial meetings, is to your advantage because people automatically and unconsciously check to see whether or not you can be trusted to have their interests at heart.

Warm signals are most effective for showing empathy, building collaboration, and making people

feel welcome and appreciated. Take smiles, for example. Smiling not only stimulates your own sense of well-being it also tells those around you that you are approachable and friendly. Best of all, when you smile at someone, they almost always smile in return. Because facial expressions trigger corresponding feelings, the smile you get back actually changes that person’s emotional state in a positive way.

Using open arm gestures and showing the palms of your hands –the ultimate “see, I have nothing to hide” gesture – sends a nonverbal message of openness and candor.

You also display empathy and connection by leaning forward, nodding your head in encouragement, making positive eye contact, and pointing your torso and feet toward whomever is speaking.

But the trick to using body language to enhance leadership presence is knowing when and how to send signals of warmth and empathy, and when and how to be seen as more powerful and confident.

Sometimes it’s as simple as shifting the tilt of your head. Tilting your head to one side is a warm signal that you are listening and involved. As such, head tilts can be very empathetic and inclusive. But they are also subconsciously processed as submission signals. (Dogs tilt their heads to expose their necks, as a way to show deference to the dominant animal.) Use head tilts when you want to demonstrate your concern for and interest in members of your team or when you want to encourage people to expand on what they are saying. But when you need to project power and confidence – asking for a promotion or giving a presentation to the executive team – keep your head straight up in a more neutral (and authoritative) position.

You also display empathy and connection by leaning forward, nodding your head in encouragement, making positive eye contact, and pointing your torso and feet toward whomever is speaking.

Positions of the Hands (1910) from the work of Joseph Gibbons Richardson (1836-1886). Drawings of hand gestures for sign language.

By adding powerful body language cues to your natural displays of warmth - you can project more authority and credibility (whenever you choose to) in ways that are subtle, yet very influential.

But first, I invite you to try this: Sit in a chair with your legs crossed, bring your elbows into your waist, clasp your hands together and place them on your lap while slightly rounding your shoulders. Now say, “I am confident and powerful.”

It’s not surprising that most people would evaluate that posture as powerless – and would tend to disregard whatever was said. But it may surprise you to know that some version of this very posture is the way most women sit. And when we do, we don’t look like our professional and credible selves. We look less than we are.

Confidence and authority are nonverbally demonstrated through claiming height and space. If you are sitting, you can still project

If you are seated around a conference table, standing when you speak give you instant status by becoming – for the moment – the tallest person in the room.

power by sitting straight with both feet on the floor (which makes you look and feel “grounded”), by hooking one arm over the back of your chair, by making more open arm gestures, or by spreading out your belongings on the conference table to claim more territory.

If you are seated around a conference table, standing when you speak give you instant status by becoming – for the moment – the tallest person in the room. And if you move around, the additional space you take up adds to that impression.

Also be aware that when you stand with your feet close together, you can seem hesitant or unsure. But when you widen your stance so that your feet are about hip distance apart, when you relax your knees and center your weight in your lower body, you look more “solid” and confident.

You don’t have total control over people’s perception of you. But try making a few adjustments in your body language and see for yourself just how much control you really do have. •

How resilient am I, and why does it matter?

As we face challenges throughout our personal and professional lives, our levels of resilience will naturally be tested. And that’s OK! Being resilient doesn’t look the same for everyone.

By CHRIS HATFIELD, Founder & Coach, Sales Psyche www.salespsyche.co.uk

As we can mend broken bones, build on our flexibility with exercise, and gain better knowledge through education, we can develop resilience. Sure, it’s not an overnight thing. But the first step towards But the first step towards improvement is understanding.

Understanding how resilient you are will help you learn what you need to work on, and help you develop your ability in areas you might be lacking.

But remember - having low resilience does NOT mean that you are weak.

In fact, remove weakness from the equation (can we remove it from the dictionary also, please?).

“I have low resilience, so therefore I am lacking. I am incapable. I don’t compare.” Have you ever felt this? Instead of judging where you are now and what you don’t possess, look at what you have achieved already. Building resilience will keep you focused on achieving your goals and nurturing your passions.

“I am not very resilient, so I am a failure” becomes “I have shown resilience on these occasions and here’s where I know I can improve or need added support.”

I'm a quitter

If I quit now I'm a failure

What's the point?

I'm not reliable

I'm not as successful as my peers

I should just give up I can't stick to anything

My imposter syndrome is overwhelming

I'm not good enough

I moved on for me

I advocate for myself

If I stop, it's the right thing to do

I will always do what I love I'm exactly where I need to be

It's never too late to start I realised I would be happier elsewhere

Success can come in different forms I'm good enough

Everything is a struggle recently...

I'm constantly evolving!

Okay, so I know I need to be a bit kinder to myself, but what is ‘resilience’?

Resilience is your ability to bounce back when things don’t go as planned. It is the ability to embrace change without dwelling on failure or loss. To be resilient means to acknowledge your current scenario, learn from mistakes and move forward.

Resilience is not... Resilience should not be mistaken for weakness or being perceived as the ‘strongest’. We all come across challenges that stump us a little bit, that knock the wind out of us

and cause us to stand back and take stock. Even the most resilient people need downtime and moments of self-reflection. The ability to get back up and move forward is where your resilience kicks in, and how you navigate through your problems will determine how resilient you are.

But let’s be real here, your resilience isn’t measured by how ‘successful’ you are. You can show incredible resilience, and still walk away, or decide that a situation isn’t working for you.

Acnowledge. Learn. Move forward.

Understanding your current resilience could be the nugget of information you need to make a transformative change in your life.

For example, you might consider yourself to be great at acknowledging your current situation, but you might not be great at taking action to change it. Remember, gaining knowledge of where you ‘lack’ is not a negative!

We’ve built an in-depth resilience test to open your eyes to your current level of resilience. It will give you the tools and steps you need to start your journey towards greater personal resilience.

The test will take you through various scenarios which aim to analyse your ability to selfevaluate and acknowledge personal circumstances so you can make positive changes.

Once you’ve completed the free test, you’ll receive a results guide outlining your strengths and weaknesses. It will explain more about resilience and how this affects your professional and personal success and contentment.

You’ll get a good idea of what changes you can make to improve your resilience •

That all sounds great! Now how do I find out about my resilience?

So why do I need to know how resilient I am?

Inperson or virtually, CarolKinsey Goman, Ph.D. isa captivatingpresenter who helps executives, team leaders andsales professionalsstrengthencommunication skillstopowerfullyinfluence andimpactothers.

A sought-after international speaker and seminar leader, Carol has delighted audiences at business events across 32 countries with her informative, interactive, and dynamic style.

Carol is the author of 13 books, including her latest: STAND OUT: How to Build Your Leadership Presence. She’s a leadership contributor for Forbes and the creator of LinkedIn Learning’s best-selling video course, Body Language for Leaders She has served as an adjunct faculty member at John F Kennedy University in the International MBA program, in the University of California Executive Education Department, and for the Chamber of Commerce of the U S at their Institutes for Organization Management; she’s also a current faculty member for the Institute for Management Studies in the United States and Excellence Squared in Canada and Europe.

Before her work in the business world, Carol was a therapist in private practice, a nightclub performer, and a majorette for the 49ers football team – but not in that order.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO BOOK CAROL:

Carol@CarolKinseyGoman.com 510-206-4085 CarolKinseyGoman.com

Chris Corrigan, Texas Municipal League, Communication and Program Director

“Carol spoke at our Global Executive Women’s Summit to an appreciative group. She was funny and relevant on an ideal topic. ”

Antigoni Mallen, Senior Director, Global Learning and Development, Expedia

I’ve ever worked with Carol has an incredible rapport and ability to connect. I’ve seen her present to an audience of CEOs and totally blow them away.”

Lee Hornick, Conference Coordinator, The Conference Board

“Dr. Goman was an absolute wonder to have at our event. Attendees loved her presentation and could be heard talking about it the rest of the day. ”

Meagan Catafi, Training & Program Manager, California Police Chiefs Association

“Your session was a great way to kick off our sales conference!”

Don Brundage, Sr. Vice President, Americas, Process, Power & Marine, Intergraph Corporation

“Feedback from attendees was exceptional. ”

Bernard Berkein, Chairman, Institute for Management Studies, Amsterdam and Brussels

“You were great! We'd love to have you back -and I will certainly recommendyou to others. ”

Annina Parini, Program on Law and Leadership, Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University

Of the hundreds of speakers I’ve worked with through my career, Dr. Goman tops my list. Her messages makepeople think, inspire change, and awaken the true leader within.”

“The all-time greatest speaker

“Our

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“Your excellent presentation was letter perfect. You engaged over 200 extremely diverse attendees from start to finish. They were talking about your session throughout the evening and all the next day.”

Director, California Minority Counsel Program