WIE
Give to Gain: My Perspective on IWD
WIE Committee Member Valentina Skachkova shares her perspective on this year’s International Womens Day theme ahead of an event on Monday.
As a qualified accountant and Finance Director who has spent many years in the insurance industry across various jurisdictions, I have often thought about what it means to “give to gain.”
My professional life has largely unfolded in highly regulated environments. The insurance sector demands precision, compliance, and constant vigilance. I am proud of the career I have built and the responsibilities I hold. Yet, as my career progressed, I increasingly felt a desire to contribute beyond my day-to-day role. I wanted to use my financial expertise to support not-for-profit organisations not only to help them grow and operate sustainably, but also to challenge myself in new environments and roles.
Stepping into the non-profit space was both refreshing and eye-opening. Board meetings and strategy sessions felt very different from the structured, regulation-driven discussions I was used to. The focus was not only on financial performance, but on impact, community, and purpose. I found that advising on budgets, financial controls, governance, or long-term sustainability came naturally to me. What felt routine in my corporate role was often transformative for a smaller organisation.
Interestingly, I never felt that I was giving a great deal. Sharing knowledge about cash flow management, reporting frameworks, or financial planning was second nature. Yet every time I left a meeting or an event, I felt energised and inspired. I had gained new insights into different industries and connected with passionate individuals driven by mission rather than margin.
By offering our skills and experience to others, we expand our own perspectives. We build empathy, adaptability, and confidence. We rediscover why we chose our professions in the first place and how we can help others.
On this International Women’s Day, I encourage other women especially those established in their careers to consider how they might give beyond their formal roles. Whether through mentoring, volunteering, or supporting not-for-profit boards.
Under the theme Give to Gain, this year’s Women in Enterprise event invites members to explore how supporting others strengthens confidence, influence and opportunity in return. Happening on 10th March, this event is open to all genders and promises to inspiring fresh thinking, welcome diverse voices into leadership conversations and develop practical skills.
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