Women Who Inspire: Voices from NumberWorks'nWords

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women worldwide, while also reflecting on the work still needed to build a more equal and supportive world. In honour of this important occasion, we sat down with three incredible women from NumberWorks'nWords - Sarah, our CEO; Ayla, the manager of our Remuera centre; and Leanne, the franchise owner of our Rotorua centre. Through their stories and experiences, we gained valuable insights into how these leaders navigate their professional lives, their views on empowering other women, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Empowerment in Key Moments: Turning Points in Their Journeys

When asked to reflect on key moments that empowered them, each of these women shared distinct experiences that shaped their leadership and personal growth.

Sarah, our CEO, shared how stepping into leadership gave her a sense of purpose and direction. "A key moment for me was stepping into a leadership role and realising that my voice and decisions could have a real impact. That experience gave me the confidence to move forward in my role," she explained. For Sarah, recognising the weight of her decisions and the impact they could have on others gave her the courage and determination to move forward in her career.

Ayla, the manager of the Remuera centre, spoke of the empowerment she found during a particularly challenging time—the COVID lockdown. "When I became the manager of the Remuera centre during the COVID lockdown, overseeing about 300 students and leading staff through uncertainty, I had to adapt quickly and stay strong for others. Stepping into this role as a woman in leadership empowered me to trust my voice, make tough decisions, and support those around me," she said. The experience taught Ayla how to trust her instincts and lead with resilience, even during the toughest of times. It was a true testament to the strength and resilience that women bring to leadership roles, particularly in moments of uncertainty.

For Leanne, the franchise owner of Rotorua, empowerment came in a more subtle but equally impactful way. Reflecting on her early career, she said, "I see life as a series of experiences, but one memorable moment was in my first year of teaching. Growing up, I wasn’t encouraged to share my opinions, but in teaching, I was surprised that my thoughts were valued and sparked discussions. My senior teacher, a great mentor, told me she enjoyed new teachers for their fresh perspectives. This taught me that there’s always something to learn, no matter your experience." Leanne’s story shows how a simple acknowledgement of her ideas helped build her confidence and reaffirmed her belief in the value of her voice, no matter how new or inexperienced she felt at the time.

Creating Equal Opportunities: Their Vision for Change

When asked what changes they would like to see in the education sector and the workplace to empower women further, Sarah, Ayla, and Leanne all spoke passionately about the importance of mentorship, flexibility, and compassion.

Sarah pointed out the need for more mentorship opportunities for women in leadership roles. "In the workplace, I’d love to see more mentorship opportunities for women in leadership roles and greater flexibility to support work-life balance," she said. "Although I feel post-COVID, this has become better with flexible work hours and work-from-home options." Sarah’s vision includes a workplace where women can thrive without sacrificing their personal lives, and where mentorship plays a key role in helping women rise to leadership positions.

Ayla shared her personal experience as a woman in a male-dominated field and how she sees the need for more representation and support in STEM careers. "As a woman who studied Computer Science and worked in Systems Engineering, I’ve seen firsthand how underrepresented women are in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) fields," she said. "More mentorship programs, scholarships, and school initiatives are needed to inspire young girls to explore STEM careers, showing them that these careers are just as much for them as they are for men." Ayla believes that creating pathways for young girls into these fields is critical to breaking stereotypes and showing them that they belong in these spaces. She also emphasised the importance of providing role models and real-world exposure to help build the confidence of young women pursuing these careers.

For Leanne, the focus was on compassion and understanding within the workplace, especially as women face unique challenges that aren’t always addressed. "The workplace has changed in some ways, but in others, it hasn’t. At my stage in life, perimenopause significantly affects my well-being, often making me feel like a different person, impacting my work and productivity," she shared. "Workplaces should be mindful of such factors, as they influence overall performance and attitude." Leanne also spoke about the pressure she feels within the education sector, noting that competition and constant comparisons can foster negativity rather than empowerment. "I still find education highly competitive, with constant comparisons that foster judgement and negativity rather than empowerment, especially among women," she said. "Workplaces must create compassionate cultures to support growth. One-size-fits-all systems don’t work, and fostering compassion is key to empowering individuals."

Empowering Women at NumberWorks'nWords

When it comes to empowering women in the workplace, NumberWorks'nWords plays a pivotal role in creating a culture where all employees feel valued and supported. Sarah, Ayla, and Leanne each shared how they contribute to building an empowering environment for their teams.

Sarah explained that NumberWorks'nWords fosters an environment of growth and support. "NumberWorks'nWords fosters a supportive environment where women can grow in their careers. I contribute by encouraging confidence, celebrating milestones, big or small, and supporting teamwork and collaboration," she said. Sarah’s leadership style revolves around uplifting others, providing opportunities to grow, and celebrating achievements, no matter how big or small.

Ayla spoke about her commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. "NumberWorks’nWords supports and empowers women by fostering an inclusive environment where all employees have access to equal opportunities, leadership roles, and professional development," she said. "Personally, I empower others by mentoring new tutors and creating a supportive and positive atmosphere for my female staff, helping them feel confident and valued in their roles." Ayla’s leadership extends to providing mentorship to both new and seasoned tutors, ensuring they have the support they need to succeed.

For Leanne, empowerment is about creating a culture where women feel heard, supported, and encouraged to contribute. "Empowerment to me means creating an environment where women feel heard, supported, and valued, which boosts confidence and brings out the best in people," she explained. Leanne also mentioned the importance of communication within the organisation, especially when working as individual franchisees. "At our annual conference, I was inspired by a fellow franchisee nominated for a local business award in Australia, as her story felt close to my own and showed the power of being heard," she shared. Leanne continues to empower others through catch-ups with new franchisees, mentoring them, and offering support in overcoming challenges. "Within my centre, I empower neuro and gender-diverse tutors, helping them reflect on teaching and building their confidence. I also support young women with anxiety, adjusting sessions to meet their needs and helping them gain confidence, which parents have appreciated," she said. For Leanne, empowering women is about fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, regardless of their background or challenges.

Advice to Young Women: Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation

On International Women’s Day, we asked Sarah, Ayla, and Leanne what advice they would give to young women who aspire to succeed in education or any other field where they may face challenges.

Sarah encouraged young women to believe in their abilities and stay true to their values. "Believe in your abilities, seek out mentors, have strong values and stick to them. Challenges will come, build resilience and learn from them. If your gut’s telling you it’s not right, make a change. Find something you love and grow with it. When it’s right, you will know," she said. Sarah’s advice emphasises the importance of staying true to oneself and finding fulfilment in one’s work.

Ayla stressed the importance of embracing challenges and learning from setbacks. "I would advise young women to embrace challenges and not fear failure. I used to be afraid of failure, but it was through those experiences that I grew. Never underestimate the power of persistence and self-belief," she said. For Ayla, setbacks are opportunities to grow, and persistence is key to long-term success.

Leanne reminded young women that challenges are part of any profession, but having the right support system makes a world of difference. "The most important advice I’d give is to understand that all professions have challenges, and overcoming them helps us grow," she said. "The key difference is the environment in which the challenge arises—feeling supported can make all the difference. Having colleagues to help is critical, especially as a young woman who may feel the need to prove herself." Leanne also emphasised the importance of choosing a field you’re passionate about, as it makes the challenges more worthwhile. "Choose a field you’re passionate about, as it makes the challenges worthwhile. For me, working in education has been rewarding, and when I care about the issue, I can always find a way to work through it."

Conclusion

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, the stories and advice from Sarah, Ayla, and Leanne remind us that empowerment comes in many forms—whether it’s through leadership, mentorship, or simply creating an environment where women can feel supported and valued. These three women exemplify the power of resilience, compassion, and self-belief, and their insights are a beacon for those looking to forge their own path to success. 

Let’s continue to support, uplift, and empower women every day - not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.