At Instem, we are proud to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 by highlighting the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of the incredible women in our leadership team. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, resonates deeply with us as we continue to champion gender equity, leadership, and empowerment across our industry.
Our female leaders share their personal journeys – how they have navigated obstacles, driven meaningful change, and supported others along the way. Their stories serve as both inspiration and a call to action: to uplift, mentor, and create opportunities for the next generation of women in science, technology, and leadership.
Beth Hazell, Chief Product Officer
Being a former college athlete shaped my definition of grit and resilience. The experience taught me the importance of perseverance, even when faced with tough circumstances. It taught me to push forward, no matter the obstacles, and to see setbacks as part of the process of growth. These lessons have been essential throughout my career, especially when juggling the pressures of both being a professional and a mom. I’ve learned that persistence and a “keep pushing forward” mentality with a positive attitude are critical to breaking barriers and achieving success.
Over time, I learned to embrace my unique perspective and realized that my voice added value. I also found mentors who encouraged me to trust myself and pushed me to step up, even when I didn’t feel ready. Having my first child added another layer to the challenges I faced. Becoming a mother meant navigating a new set of expectations, both personally and professionally. I had to break through societal assumptions about what a working mother could or should be. There were moments when I felt like I had to prove myself even more, but I channelled that energy into breaking barriers, particularly in my journey to become a leader in a technical field. Throughout it all, the unwavering support of my spouse has been invaluable in helping me pursue and achieve my career aspirations.
One of the most pivotal moments in shaping my leadership was attending the West Point Leadership Program. The experience helped me gain a deeper understanding of my leadership style and how to leverage my strengths in guiding teams. It reinforced the importance of discipline, resilience, and clear decision-making, which I’ve applied throughout my career.
Launching a product just the day before the birth of my first child was a particularly intense challenge. It required balancing a high-pressure professional responsibility with the personal anticipation of becoming a mom. I learned that you can’t control everything, but with strong teamwork and planning, you can navigate even the most chaotic situations.
In addition, traveling the globe for work has provided me with incredible opportunities to understand customer needs and build connections. However, it also came with its own set of challenges—being away from my family, missing milestones in my kid’s lives, and always feeling a pull to be home with them. This duality—balancing a global career with the desire to be with my family is difficult. But over time, I’ve learned to prioritize what matters most, whether that’s in the form of carving out quality time at home or planning travel that aligns with both my professional goals and family commitments.
Advice for Other Women Looking to Accelerate Their Growth and Impact:
- Don’t underestimate the power of your perspective. Women often hold back their ideas, fearing they might not be taken seriously. Speak up, be bold and if your voice isn’t heard, find ways to make sure it is. Whether it’s through formal presentations or informal conversations, your insights are valuable.
- Seek out mentors, peers, and allies who will advocate for you and provide honest feedback. Building a solid support system is crucial. Find people who genuinely believe in your potential and will help open doors for you.
- Growth isn’t linear. If you’re pushing yourself to break barriers, you will face setbacks. Rather than seeing failure as something negative, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.
- Having kids will make you reevaluate what success looks like. It’s okay to redefine your career goals and pace to suit your new life circumstances. Find ways to integrate your personal and professional lives that feel right for you. Watch for moments to celebrate the small wins, like seeing your kids’ milestones, while making strides at work.
- Watching your kids grow while managing your professional career is a beautiful, messy journey. Don’t be afraid to embrace the complexity of these roles. There will be days when it feels overwhelming, but it’s also a testament to your strength and resilience. The key is to be kind to yourself and acknowledge that you’re doing the best you can.
- Traveling the world and experiencing different cultures has shaped my perspective on business, customer needs, and even leadership. But one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of being present at home with your family. It’s important to find a balance that works for you—so you can pursue your professional goals while also being there for the moments that matter with your loved ones.
- Look for ways to make a difference. Whether that’s innovating in your field or mentoring the next generation, don’t just climb the ladder – use your position to lift others up along the way.
Donna Robinson, Chief Commercial Officer
A moment when you drove meaningful change in your career:
My journey has been profoundly shaped by the inspirational leaders I’ve had the privilege to learn from—individuals who excel in both strategic vision and authentic connection. One defining moment in my leadership path occurred when I stepped into a role that challenged me to not just focus on outcomes, but to prioritize the growth of my team. I was fueled by the excitement of tackling complex challenges and the desire to exceed expectations. However, what truly ignites my passion daily is witnessing my team members flourish and reach their career milestones. Their success is the ultimate measure of meaningful change.
Challenges you overcame to break barriers:
Throughout my career, I’ve solved for challenges related to team consistency and ensuring we always deliver impactful results. I firmly believe that the power of a team lies in its collective strength rather than in individual achievements. My collaborative spirit drives me to forge connections and learn from those around me. By embracing a leadership style grounded in compassion and empathy, I’ve cultivated strong relationships both within and outside an organization. This approach has not only helped me navigate barriers but has also guided me toward opportunities that align with my career aspirations.
Advice for other women looking to accelerate their growth and impact:
For women striving to accelerate their growth and make a meaningful impact, my advice is to curate a network of mentors and peers who inspire you. Surround yourself with individuals who challenge you to think differently. Be your own advocate—know your worth and don’t shy away from showcasing your unique contributions. Present your value in innovative ways that distinguish your personal brand, ensuring others recognize you as a catalyst for growth and creativity. Embrace your individuality and remember that your voice and perspective are invaluable in driving change.
Eve Leconte, Chief People Officer:
My career has been anything but easy, something I know will resonate with many women. I started at the bottom of the ladder and worked my way up to a C-level position, often navigating male-dominated environments where ambition in women was met with scepticism. The biases, barriers, and difficult moments were more challenging than I had ever anticipated. Many times, I was the only woman in the room, not only carrying the weight of my role but also having to constantly prove my worth in a space where my presence wasn’t always welcomed.
Adding to this challenge, I built my career in HR an area that, for too long, many CEOs viewed as administrative rather than strategic. I had to fight not only to earn my voice in leadership but also to reshape the perception of HR as a fundamental driver of business success. Through persistence, resilience, and a relentless belief in the value of people, I have transformed the HR function at Instem (called People & Culture) into a key strategic force, ensuring that our people remain at the heart of the company. This progress is not just personal—it’s transformational.
I’m incredibly proud that today, at Instem, the management team consists of 4 women out of 9 members, proving that when businesses recognize and empower women, they thrive.
It’s true, life is tough, but so are we. Ambition is not something to apologize for-own it. Believe in yourself, trust your vision and judgment, and never let anyone define your limits. If you want something, go after it relentlessly. Determination and resilience aren’t just traits; they are the forces that will shape your success.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all an amazing International Women’s Day!
Gina Burke, Chief Delivery Officer
International Women’s Day is such a powerful day! Women are fighting different battles for equality all around the world, and I see this day as a reminder that we must fight for change together. I’m proud to work for a company that acknowledges the challenges women face and actively engage us in meaningful conversations to share our stories.
One area where I have been driving meaningful change in my career:
Working hard to get a seat at the table for our Delivery organization. In my role as Chief Delivery Officer, we are now embracing a customer centric/customer obsessed approach. We are a front-line team with direct feedback from customers and it is my mission to change how we are seen and to ensure our function has a voice in high-level decision making. We constantly push collaboration because better alignment across the business gives improved outcomes for our customers and us.
Challenges you overcame to break barriers:
My professional career at Instem started when I joined at a young age in 2003. Very early in my career, I honestly didn’t have any women impacting my career. Being a woman, and particularly a woman of color, not having any representation in leadership was a barrier I had to overcome. Women face unique challenges in our careers, from overcoming systemic barriers to navigating workplace dynamics. At various points in my career, I constantly felt I had to “prove myself” and “work 10x harder.” However, with the right mindset, skill set, tool set, and strategies, it’s possible to accelerate growth and make a significant impact.
My advice to women looking to accelerate their growth and impact:
Seek mentorship, sponsorship, and lift as you rise. I sought mentors who had been through similar experiences. They helped me navigate challenges, set clear goals (educational and career), and prioritize personal growth. More recently in my career, I learned that you also need sponsorship. A sponsor was beyond what a mentor provided; I had sponsors that I didn’t realize took on this role. I say this because sponsors are the people who advocated for me in rooms where decisions were being made, they were the people who helped to propel my career forward by recommending me for opportunities and endorsing me. Lastly, lift as you rise is about supporting other women in their career journeys. Offer mentorship, guidance, and encouragement to those who are coming up behind you. I’m very humbled and grateful for the people who have helped me throughout my career. #AccelerateAction – Happy International Women’s Day!
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we recognize that progress is driven by action. The stories shared by our leaders reflect not just resilience, but also the power of advocacy, mentorship, and unwavering determination.
Let’s continue to push forward, break barriers, and create workplaces where every woman’s voice is heard and valued. Together, we can accelerate action and build a more inclusive future.
Happy International Women’s Day! #AccelerateAction
