Gender equality is everyone’s business, which is why Abundium, a network for multinational CEOs, gathered more than 300 business leaders and their teams for the Women in Multinationals (WIM) Summit, held at Allianz Stadium in Sydney in September.

The event, bringing together people from 75 multinational companies, was dedicated to addressing the specific challenges women face within multinational organizations and served as a bold invitation for leaders to move beyond dialogue and into decisive action.

The summit challenged attendees to recognize their ability – and responsibility – to influence organizational change. Rather than simply discussing gender equality, leaders were encouraged to commit to concrete steps within their companies.

Whether promoting stronger male allyship, increasing female representation in leadership or addressing unconscious biases, the event called on multinationals to lead by example and turn good intentions into measurable progress.

The message resonated deeply: gender equality isn’t just a moral imperative but also a business strategy, with multinationals positioned to lead the way globally. Despite Australia’s recent rise to 24th in global gender equality rankings, there’s still much more to be done.

While celebrating progress, the summit served as a reminder that gender parity remains a challenge. Australia’s gender pay gap has dropped to a record low of 11.5 percent; however, women continue to be underrepresented in senior roles.

Globally, women lead just 10.4 percent of Fortune 500 companies, and female entrepreneurs secure less than three percent of venture capital funding. These numbers highlight the need for multinationals to continue championing female leadership and addressing these disparities.

Insights from leading CEOs

Throughout the summit, participants were energized by a lineup of influential speakers who brought a mix of personal stories and actionable strategies for advancing gender equality. Preeti Bajaj, CEO and Managing Director of Luminous Power Technologies, set the tone by confronting the global challenges faced by women in the workplace.

She encouraged women to recognize their value, build strong networks and, importantly, use humor to turn obstacles into opportunities – a tool she framed as both empowering and disarming in difficult situations.

Meanwhile, Jo Horgan, Co-CEO of MECCA, delivered a heartfelt message about the power of support and self-compassion. She spoke about the importance of surrounding yourself with uplifting people and learning to train your inner voice to be kinder, urging leaders to approach challenges with optimism and resilience. Horgan’s advice to ‘embrace what’s in front of you with a positive mindset’ left the room inspired and grounded.

Peter Fuda, Founder of The Alignment Partnership, took a deeper dive into the psychological barriers that can hold leaders back. He challenged attendees to ask themselves, “How do you get out of your own way and go after what you really want?” His practical advice on shifting mindset and building self-confidence resonated as he guided participants through strategies to conquer self-doubt and unlock their potential.

Alison Brahe-Daddo, author of Queen Menopause, turned the conversation to women’s health, shedding light on the often-overlooked impact of menopause on women at the peak of their careers. Her candid discussion on this critical life stage highlighted how men and workplaces can better support women, turning what is often seen as a private struggle into a collective conversation about leadership and support systems.

A panel discussion with Emma Crichton (AutogenAI), Anne Harris (Pfizer) and Nick Bangs (Unilever) reinforced that gender equality is not just an organizational goal but a business strategy that drives success.

One of the standout themes of the summit was male allyship. This year, the number of male participants at WIM doubled compared to 2023, from eight percent to 16 percent, highlighting growing recognition that gender equality requires the active involvement of men.

Megan Dalla-Camina (Women Rising) led a panel with male allies Troy Taylor (The LEGO Group), Ronan Carolan (Thales), Philip Goldie (Okta) and Manoj Saxena (Bayer), who shared personal experiences and practical advice on how men can make a meaningful impact within their organizations.

Where intention goes, energy flows

The overarching message of the summit was to turn intention into action. Participants were encouraged to move beyond discussion and commit to specific, actionable goals.

By the end of the day, leaders left equipped with clear strategies to promote male allyship, support female leadership and drive change toward more equitable workplaces.

The 2024 WIM wasn’t just a gathering of professionals; it was a catalyst for real change. The dedication shown by speakers and attendees alike reaffirmed the essential role multinationals play in advancing gender equality globally.

The next summit is scheduled for November 2025, when there will be just five years left to meet the United Nations Sustainable Goals target by 2030.

It’s now more important than ever to bring bold intention, making gender equality everyone’s business.