International Women’s Day: How Listening Can Break Down Barriers to Gender Equality

For International Women’s Day 2025, G&A Partners’ Chief People Officer Michelle Mikesell provides insights on how to accelerate action toward achieving gender equality in the IWD article, “Listening, Learning, Leading: Advancing Gender Equality Together.”

In the article, Mikesell shares how listening to one another is the first step toward gender equality in the workplace.

“By seeking to understand each other, we can create meaningful dialogue and inclusivity,” says Mikesell.

At G&A Partners, Mikesell focuses on creating a unified workforce through employee resource groups (ERGs).

“We have women's groups that encourage men to participate and seek understanding,” says Mikesell, who notes that G&A has several voluntary, employee-driven groups that foster inclusivity and engagement.

Looking ahead, Mikesell hopes that gender equality-related issues such as salary gaps will no longer exist, and that the workforce continues to focus on the value each individual contributor brings.

“I would love to see more blind hiring practices that focus solely on skill set, allowing candidates to be evaluated without bias or judgment,” writes Mikesell.

Read the full article  here.