Celebrating Female Leaders in Parking: Inspiring Inclusion on International Women's Day 2024

Three values that drive her work are honesty, transparency and empathy. Reachel says, "Being a leader does not mean you know it all - we are always learning. I learn the most from my team; their perspectives and opinions are always included in the decision-making process. Being an honest and transparent leader is very important to me. My team has full autonomy and it is key that they have the facts and full information to make thoughtful decisions that impact our organization. Empathy is key to my personal and professional relationships. Understanding how the people around me work and are inspired allows me to provide the support they need to be the best versions of themselves."   

International Women's Day matters to her because when she started her career over 20 years ago, she was the only woman and the only black person in the room. She said, "I did not feel included or confident enough to express my opinions and views. Over the last couple of years, my work environment has changed and there has been an emphasis on inclusion and belonging. This has created an environment where women feel safe to be their true selves wherever they are."

Her life lesson for girls and women who want to be leaders in what they do is: "Success is different for everyone. Define what success means to you and work towards your definition."

Three values that drive her work are confidence, honesty and respect. Mindy says, "Confidence reminds me to trust myself, who I am and what I am capable of. Honesty builds trust, which is key in work or personal life. Respect in the workplace is powerful and super productive."

International Women's Day matters to her because it provides a reminder and awareness of all the achievements women have made to make things better for everyone. She says, "I think that the belief, at least for some, is that genders are not equal and they most definitely should be."

Her life lesson for girls and women who want to be leaders in what they do is: "Don't ever sell yourself short! You are your best asset - keep being yourself and don't change for anyone. Everyone is different and can bring value to a team, so know your value and bring it"

Carla's work is driven by three core values: collaboration, passion and a positive attitude. She firmly believes in recognizing that the best results often arise from diverse perspectives working together towards a common goal. Carla says, "My passion drives me to consistently give my best effort and pursue excellence in all I do. Maintaining a warm attitude and greeting coworkers and clients with a big smile is essential to fostering a welcoming and productive environment."

International Women's Day holds a special place in Carla's heart. It's not just a day to honour and celebrate the remarkable achievements of women throughout history but also a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equal opportunities and rights. She said, " It's a day to embrace and celebrate our individuality and uniqueness as women. Like any other human being, we should take pride in our diversity and contributions to society. It's a day that fills me with a sense of recognition, empowerment and unity."

Carla's life lesson for girls and women who aspire to be leaders in what they do is simple yet powerful: "Trust yourself. Each of us possesses a unique 'superpower'; the key is discovering it and harnessing its potential. Believe in your abilities, persevere through challenges and embrace opportunities for growth. Remember, we can all create the world we want to live in. With confidence and determination, you have the power to make a meaningful impact and shape the world around you."  

Three values that drive her work are integrity, growth and knowledge to fight ignorance. Mysty says, "Integrity is being true to oneself and others, speaking your truth and allowing others to speak theirs. When you stop learning, you stop growing; when you stop growing, you stop living. I value positive, proactive thinking – though if you ask my boss, he'll tell you I have a flair for the dramatic - don't listen to him. I just need a few minutes to be expressive, and then I get over it!"

International Women's Day matters to her because, for too long, women have been told they aren't good enough, aren't strong enough, aren't smart enough, aren't valid, or to smile more. She said, "Oh, if I had a dollar for every time I've been told to 'stay in the kitchen.' While I generally laugh at such comments like this, I've also experienced threats and violence. I've been made to feel vulnerable and unsafe in my own home, which should be my safe space. You can't begin to know the monumental distress of that until you've lived it. And this is just a fact of life for me and many women. If only they knew I have a sign in my kitchen that reads, 'Many have eaten here, few have died.' I know we can do better; I believe in that. I never want this struggle for my daughters, or anyone's daughters, or anyone's daughter's daughters. I hope International Women's Day inspires ALL of us to do better and build a better world for future generations."   

Her life lesson for girls and women who want to be leaders in what they do is: "To quote a popular, happy-go-lucky little bear, 'You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.' Don't sacrifice one iota of your happiness for anyone; get out there, do your thing and do it with gusto. You have one life; go live it."

The three values that drive her work are consistency, honesty and dedication.

For Ibilola, International Women's Day matters because it is an opportunity for her and other women to reach their full potential in whatever they choose.

Her life lesson for girls and women who want to be leaders in what they do is: "Hard and smart work is the way; there is no limitation to how far you can go."

Three values that drive her work are honesty, dedication, and patience. According to Amtul, "Working in a position where we are in contact with citizens of Calgary daily requires my team and I to adopt these qualities. We must be dedicated to helping each other and our customers in the most empathetic and patient manner to make relationships better. By building a foundation of honesty, we can work towards promoting healthy and strengthened bonds as a community and members of this city!"

International Women's Day matters to her because it celebrates the accomplishments of the women we are surrounded by. She says, "Often, there are many struggles, sacrifices and achievements of women that go unnoticed. Today creates a space where women can be appreciated for all they do."

Her life lesson for girls and women who want to be leaders in what they do is: "Become a lifelong learner. It is important to be open to learning new things all the time and recognize that you do not know everything. Learning from others is okay and will only help you grow."  

Three values that drive her work are curiosity, resilience and empathy. According to Leigh, "Asking questions helps me learn from the awesome people around me. It can also foster collaboration and innovation since new ideas are often sparked by getting a little deeper into conversations. I realize that every day brings its ups and downs. I try to bounce back quickly from the downs, learn from mistakes and think of challenges as opportunities. Whether it comes to our audiences or each other, understanding others creates connection, and a more supportive and inclusive environment."

International Women's Day matters to her because it reminds everyone that a woman's experience is different. In her words, "Although we live in a modern society, there is still work to do when it comes to gender equality. IWD gives our male counterparts a chance to learn how to be allies in that work.”

Her life lesson for girls and women who want to be leaders in what they do is to "Trust yourself. You may not be the most experienced, knowledgeable or talented person in the room. Still, you bring your unique voice and ideas and have every right to be there. Have faith in your abilities and trust your gut; it's almost always right!"

Three values that drive her work are trustworthiness, kindness and wisdom.

International Women's Day matters to her because it encourages everyone to express gratitude to their female coworkers, friends and relatives.

Her life lesson for girls and women who want to be leaders in what they do is: "To live up to the role of being a woman, you must first know who you are and where you want to go."

Three values that drive her work are respect, a harmonious work environment and tenacity. Maria said, "Never giving up is more important now than ever and so is being free from bias and discrimination. Earning and giving respect is what I bring daily as a solid foundation for a successful workday. I strive to ensure that every day, everyone (including me) wants and is excited to come back to work the next day. Happy workmates equal a happy work life. Despite the struggles and challenges, I always try to bounce back stronger. I wholeheartedly accept and use criticism and suggestions to be better. With respect and trust as my firm ground, everything awesome will follow.”

International Women's Day matters to her because it is a wonderful celebration and the ultimate reminder of women's contribution to the world. She says, "It is the perfect time to recognize, appreciate and express our gratitude to ourselves, mothers, grandmothers, daughters and all the women in our lives. It is the time to re-evaluate what more we can do to promote awareness of women's issues and applaud the successful current movements."

Her life lesson for girls and women who want to be leaders in what they do is: "Face your fears and utilize your strengths and skills to the fullest. Never let being a woman stop you from anything. Be the best version of your fabulous self every single day"

Three values that drive her work are resilience, tenacity and collaboration. Amanda says, "Humans are fundamentally good, so it's important to treat others as you want to be treated. None of us can do everything alone, but we can do anything together."

International Women's Day matters to her because it acknowledges and celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of women while raising awareness that bias and inequality still exist.

Her life lesson for girls and women who want to be leaders in what they do is: "Don't listen to anyone who says you can't be a leader. Trust yourself and your abilities, and don't be too hard on yourself when you make mistakes. As long as you are learning from your mistakes and continuing to grow as a human being - you are already a leader!"

Three values that drive her work are safety, engagement and empowerment. Medina says, “As a Leader, my values guide my sense of responsibility to empower my team to strive and continuously move onward and upward. As a woman in parking, my experiences have taught me that it is important to enable psychological safety at work by creating an environment where my team and people around me can discern their true potential and have a safe space to thrive and try new ideas. I ensure that my team and my teammates feel engaged and included.”

International Women's Day matters to her because, for a century, women have come together to support each other, celebrate their achievements, and embrace their unique selves. She says, “Growing up, my mother was my role model. She instilled in all her three daughters the desire to be independent, strong, and supportive individuals and to always believe in themselves.”

Her life lesson for girls and women who want to be leaders in what they do is: "The sky is the limit; constantly challenge the status quo and continue to grow professionally and academically. If one door closes, remember there will be many other doors in your journey to growth and success. Never be afraid to take risks and challenge yourself to grow."

These female leaders in Calgary Parking are showing how crucial it is for women to be part of the economy. When women do well, economies do well. From closing the pay gap between men and women to welcoming different viewpoints in decision-making, including women isn't just the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do. It doesn't stop there - we need to keep breaking down barriers, fighting unfair beliefs and making sure women from all backgrounds have opportunities to succeed. By creating a culture where everyone is treated fairly, has equal chances and is respected, we can help everyone reach their full potential and make our communities better. As we celebrate International Women's Day, let's get inspired by the amazing women in Calgary Parking who are leading the way forward.

To all the female leaders in Calgary and beyond, we salute you. Your dedication, passion and resilience drive positive change and inspire others to follow in your footsteps. To every man who reads this and is inspired to include women moving forward, 'we thank you!' Let's commit to #InspireInclusion, celebrate diversity and create a better tomorrow for future generations.