Redefining leadership, breaking barriers, and accelerating action
Women leading the way at Drooms
Leadership today is about more than just authority and expertise–it’s about authenticity, empathy, and actively creating opportunities for others. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the inspiring female leaders at Drooms who are not just excelling in their fields but are actively reshaping the future of leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries.
This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” is a powerful reminder that while progress has been made, it has been far too slow. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate, it will take until 2158 to achieve full gender parity. That is 133 more years–far too long for the women striving for leadership today and the generations that follow.
IWD 2025 calls on individuals, organisations, and communities to act swiftly and decisively to dismantle systemic barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential. At Drooms, our female leaders are already setting the pace proving that accelerating action starts with those who refuse to wait.
Leadership beyond barriers
For these women, leadership is not just about personal success. It’s about lifting others up and paving the way forward.
“Leadership as a woman means creating space–not just for myself, but for others who come after me. It’s about fostering an inclusive culture where diverse voices are heard and proving that success is defined by skill, vision, and impact–not gender,” explains Alesia Dominguez Dillon, Team Lead Corporate Design.
Meike Thai, SVP Strategy & Transformation, highlights the importance of trust in leadership: “The moment you lose authenticity, you lose impact as a leader. Trust is my most important value–trust that flows in both directions.”
For Jasmin Menz, Chief Product Officer, “Leadership is about creating a positive ripple effect–empowering others, building trust, and fostering environments where individuals and teams thrive, no matter their gender or orientation. It’s not just about having a seat at the table; it’s about reshaping the table so everyone’s voice is heard and valued.”
Meanwhile, Consuelo Gomez, Team Lead Backend, sees leadership as the balance between technical excellence and human connection: “It’s not just about breaking barriers–it’s about ensuring that both technical excellence and human connection coexist.”
And for Isabell Baldamus, Team Lead Sales Operations, leadership means fully embracing the strengths that women bring: “Instead of competing, we tend to uplift one another, creating a collaborative culture that benefits the entire team. That’s how we make the biggest impact.”
These perspectives are clear: Leadership is not just about achieving success, but ensuring that others can succeed, too.
Unlearning traditional leadership norms
Accelerating progress requires challenging outdated leadership expectations, including the idea that leaders must always have the answers.
Jasmin reflects on one of her most valuable lessons: “I had to unlearn perfectionism–the idea that I needed to take care of every detail myself. Leadership isn’t about doing everything perfectly on my own but about trusting my team’s strengths. By recognising the strengths of others and the idea that I can learn from every interaction, I became a better listener, a more empathetic leader, and ultimately, more successful in guiding my team.”
Consuelo shares a similar realisation: “Early in my career, I thought leadership meant always being the most technically skilled person in the room. But true leadership is about enabling others to succeed.”
Isabell had to overcome the instinct to micromanage: “At first, I thought being hands-on with every detail ensured success. But real leadership is about trusting your team, giving them space to take ownership, make mistakes, and grow.”
Similarly, Meike had to unlearn the idea that being “tough” was the only way to lead effectively: “Empathy and kindness aren’t weaknesses. They foster trust and engagement within teams.”
To accelerate action, businesses must actively support leadership styles that value trust, collaboration, and authenticity over outdated notions of authority.
Creating a gender-equal workplace by 2030
A truly gender-equal workplace won’t happen by accident. It requires deliberate, structural action. One major step? Making flexible work the norm.
“Work structures were historically designed for a workforce without caregiving responsibilities, which disadvantages women. To level the playing field, companies must embrace flexibility as a core value, not just a perk,” stresses Alesia.
Beyond workplace policies, broader societal support is essential. Meike points to childcare as a major barrier: “By 2030, businesses must address the challenges posed by unreliable and outdated childcare. True gender equality means ensuring that all working parents have access to reliable, affordable childcare.”
Meanwhile, Jasmin highlights that gender equality must extend beyond the workplace: “When we talk about gender inequality, we often focus on leadership roles at work. But it’s not just about the workplace; it’s about how we balance life outside of work. If women step out of their careers to take on full-time caregiving roles without giving fathers the same opportunity, we reinforce the cycle of inequality. Companies should promote shared parental leave and normalise fathers taking an active caregiving role.”
To accelerate action, flexible work, inclusive career growth opportunities, and accessible childcare solutions must become standard practice–not afterthoughts.
Advice for future female leaders
For women stepping into leadership, the message is clear: Start acting–don’t wait for permission.
“You expect others to break the mold, but how can you fight for that if you don’t break it within yourself first? Trust your gut, be honest with yourself, and own your space–you belong here,” advises Consuelo.
Alesia echoes this: “Stop doubting yourself. Growth doesn’t come from waiting, it comes from trusting yourself and taking risks.”
And Jasmin shares her perspective: “Trust your gut. If something feels off, reflect, recalibrate, and take action–don’t wait. Embrace the uncertainty, trust yourself, and keep moving forward.”
Isabell adds the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone: “Real growth happens when you dare to step outside your comfort zone. I’d also highlight the importance of building a strong network early on and finding mentors—people who believe in your potential, can open doors for you, and help you grow faster.”
To accelerate action, women must step into leadership with confidence, even when the path is uncertain.
The role of male allies in accelerating gender equality
Achieving gender equality requires active allyship from men in leadership, not just passive support.
Jasmin adds: “Gender equality isn’t just a workplace issue–it’s about redefining partnerships, challenging societal expectations, and supporting each other’s choices without judgment.”
Meike agrees: “Male leaders can make a significant impact by actively supporting and advocating for their female colleagues. This includes mentoring, sponsoring, and ensuring that women’s voices are heard in decision-making processes.”To accelerate action, men in leadership must challenge the systems that hold women back, not just support them from the sidelines.
A call to action: The time for change is now
At Drooms, we believe that gender equality is not optional. Businesses, leaders, and individuals must take deliberate action to accelerate progress. “Companies that overlook gender equality are making a serious business mistake. Diverse leadership teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and deliver stronger results. Equality isn’t just the right thing to do–it’s the smart thing to do,” says Drooms Co-Founder and CEO Jan Hoffmeister.
This International Women’s Day, we honour the women who are redefining leadership, challenging outdated norms, and inspiring the next generation. But we also challenge businesses to do more–to embrace flexibility, eliminate structural barriers, and ensure leadership has no gender.
To all the women striving to make their mark: Trust yourself, take up space, and own your leadership style. The future needs you–and the time to act is now.
