'Give to Gain', the International Women's Day (IWD) 2026 theme focusing on collaboration, support, reciprocity, generosity, and everything in between, is the lens with which we approached just a few of the women at Skill Dynamics to ask them about their roles and careers so far.

As women in the world of learning success, supporting Skill Dynamics to deliver personalized eLearning solutions across the globe, their unique insights and variety of experiences are valuable to ensuring effective delivery.

We are pleased to be able to introduce you to…

Day-to-Day in Learning Success

We began by asking members of the Learning Success team about their day-to-day responsibilities.

For our Senior Learning Partners, their day-to-day is all about supporting clients and driving learner engagement to ensure they receive maximum value and real results from the Skill Dynamics solution. Working closely with customers through regular Business Reviews, they discuss goals, performance, new opportunities, and much more.

Gesa, who has been with Skill Dynamics since 2018, shares that, "a big part of routine involves analyzing data to identify trends, measure success, and provide actionable insights that support strategic decisions. The dynamic mix of strategy, analysis, communication, and innovation means that no two days are the same, and it truly never gets boring."

Jenny, shared the same sentiment; "I've been at Skill for just over two years now and in a growing business like ours, no two days are ever the same."

Christie, also a Senior Learning Partner, has been at Skill Dynamics for "1 whole wonderful year". She highlights that her "day-to-day focus is helping organisations to advance their teams professional development and drive value within their supply chain, procurement and trade compliance academies."

At Skill Dynamics, it appears that no two days truly are the same, with Kim, Academy Delivery Director, also echoing the same feeling. Kim has been with the organization for 11 years, "working with colleagues around the world at the intersection of content development, production, and implementation."

"I might be coordinating global schedules, supporting production teams, or developing custom learning solutions that help clients achieve broader business goals through effective eLearning. At its core, my role is about guiding projects from initial content through production to release."

For Kara, Senior Learning Architect who joined over 10 years ago, the day-to-day looks a little different. Her role is predominantly with our Trade Compliance Academy (previously Content Enablers), with a focus on "assisting clients with development and implementation of multiyear learning plans for general awareness, functional, and Practitioner training courses."

The Biggest Industry Challenges

In their roles, the team come across organizations across the spectrum of supply chain, procurement, and trade compliance. We asked what some of the biggest challenges these organizations tend to come up against. This is what they had to say:

"Consistency amongst skill levels, and multi-threaded teams working in a consistent way, all whilst learning and adjusting to the latest trends within the industry." – Christie, Senior Learning Partner

"Most often comes down to consistency, scalability, and measurable impact. want to ensure their teams receive accurate, up-to-date training that is accessible regardless of geography or schedule.

Many are focused on reducing risk, strengthening compliance, building capability, and creating a shared foundation of knowledge across functions. Others prioritize professional development and long-term talent growth." – Kim, Academy Delivery Director

"In my experience working with clients across the procurement and supply chain   spectrum, the biggest challenges are supply chain volatility and global disruption, cost pressure versus value creation, digital transformation challenges and finally, talent and capability gaps." – Gesa, Senior Learning Partner

"The main challenges that most companies encounter are the development of content that is updated regularly based on laws and regulations, as well as implementing training courses based on target audiences and learning objectives related to different job functions." – Kara, Senior Learning Architect

"In rapidly changing environments, leaders often know that they need to upskill, but they don't always have clear data on where the gaps are or how to benchmark capability across regions. That's where assessment-led tailoring becomes powerful – it turns learning into something measurable and strategic rather than optional. It also adds consistency and shared methodologies across entire organisations."  – Jenny, Senior Learning Partner

Facing the Challenges: The Role of Women

These challenges look different for every organization. We wanted to understand how big of a role women play in facing these challenges.

For Christie, the answer was simple, women play an incredibly important role; "I'm really lucky to work with very talented women both in Skill Dynamics and within customer academies, and the ideas and new perspectives that they bring to the table are incredibly valuable."

This opinion was echoed across discussions. Gesa highlighted the role of women as vital; "women bring diverse leadership and collaboration skills that help with stakeholder alignment, they're often champions of digital and sustainability initiatives, and they contribute to stronger team culture and decision-making. The more inclusive these functions become, the better equipped organizations are to manage complexity and change."

For Jenny, women bring a unique set of skills that make a difference; "in my experience, many women in procurement and supply chain are used to managing complexity, not just professionally, but personally as well. That ability to think long term, stay calm under pressure, manage multiple stakeholders and switch contexts quickly is invaluable in today's environment."

The Importance of Continuous Learning

We wouldn't be Skill Dynamics if we didn't talk about the importance of continuous learning. Our content and platform are built around cognitive science principles to ensure that learning is absorbed, retained, applied, and translated into lasting results.

As women, we asked our team members how important they considered continuous learning to be, and why this was.

"Continuous learning is essential in e-learning for Procurement, Supply Chain, and Trade Compliance. This is not only because regulations, technologies, and global markets constantly evolve, but because staying informed directly impacts business resilience and competitiveness. Not only as a woman, I consider continuous learning especially important because it empowers growth, confidence, and long-term career development." – Gesa, Senior Learning Partner

"When time is limited, learning becomes intentional. It's about staying relevant, confident, and capable – not just for your organisation, but for yourself. The more you build your capability, the more choices you create. And when you're balancing career and family expectations, having choices matters." – Jenny, Senior Learning Partner

"Continuous learning is essential for everyone, but especially for women navigating evolving industries and leadership spaces. Learning gives you language, perspective, and credibility. It allows you to prepare for new challenges.

For me, continuous learning isn't about collecting credentials; it's about staying curious and adaptable. Industries evolve. Technology advances. Expectations shift. When you commit to learning, you stay relevant and resilient." – Kim, Academy Delivery Director

"In 2026, the opportunity to continue to learn and develop in roles that were previously unattainable for women is something I don't take for granted. Continuous learning develops further what women can already achieve across many diverse roles." – Christie, Senior Learning Partner

"Continuous learning is no longer a "nice-to-have" but a necessity for personal and professional growth. Industries, especially with regards to training objectives, are evolving faster than traditional education can sometimes keep up. Continuous learning allows people to bridge the ever-growing skills gaps as technology, AI, and automation reshape job requirements." – Kara, Senior Learning Architect

Give to Gain

For 2026, the International Women's Day theme is 'Give to Gain'.

This theme emphasizes the importance of supporting each other, generosity, collaboration, and the power of reciprocity. The IWD website shares that, "when people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it's intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise."

Gesa put it perfectly when she said… "When we work as a team, lift each other up, and celebrate each other's growth, everyone moves forward. That's what makes working in a team so brilliant – we succeed together. I genuinely believe that teamwork makes the dream work, and it's something we truly live in our company."

Our next question focused in on this and asked our interviewees to think of a moment in their career where generosity and support helped them progress.

Christie reflected on her current role with Skill Dynamics; "working in an incredibly supportive and collaborative team means that we are always sharing ideas with one another to help each other. The academies are also wonderfully open in sharing what works for them, so that we can share best practises across with procurement and supply chain professionals."

Likewise, Kara spoke about joining her current team and how she had never been introduced to trade compliance before. To her, this was a completely foreign subject, but she shares that the "support I received from team members, people that I worked with each day, and people I met in the industry, really encouraged the development of my personal and professional skills inside and outside of the business."

Jenny shared how crucial this kind of support has been in her journey. "I've absolutely benefited from the generosity of other women who were navigating similar seasons of life to my own – balancing career ambition with family responsibilities. There's a saying that "it takes a village," and it certainly does. Not just at home, but professionally too."

For Kim, the pivotal moment was when a mentor trusted her with responsibilities outside of her comfort zone; not because she hadn't mastered them yet, but because they believed she could.

"Their willingness to share insight, provide candid feedback, and advocate for me accelerated my growth and contribution. It reinforced something I deeply believe now: when we are vested in another's success, we don't lose anything; we create confidence, multiply capability, and fuel progress."

Looking Ahead

At Skill Dynamics, our dedicated Supply Chain, Procurement, and Trade Compliance academies help organizations globally ensure the continued success and effectiveness of their teams. The role of women in these industries cannot be overstated or overlooked, whether they be the managers and executives helping to push their teams forward or the learners themselves.

This is why we're hosting a panel discussion with industry experts. Register and attend for free, online.

'Give to Gain' with Women in Supply Chain, Procurement, and Trade Compliance: IWD 2026 Panel Discussion

In this panel discussion for International Women's Day, Skill Dynamics CRO, Davina Quarterman, sits down with our guests to discuss their experiences as women in Supply Chain, Procurement, and Trade Compliance.

In this session, we explore the IWD 2026 themes with our panellists, diving into their industry experiences and the support they have received during their careers so far.

Our guests include…

• Moderator: Davina Quarterman, CRO at Skill Dynamics
• Panellist: Alison Klinger, Director, Global Trade Compliance & Supply Chain Risk Management at Ingevity
• Panellist: Helen Alder, Head of Procurement Development at Skill Dynamics
• Panellist: Andreina Woodworth, Global Procurement Director, PBS Category at Foundever
• Panellist: Enikő Tóth, Director Planning – Finished Good Threads (Global) at Coats

Finally, to end our discussion with the women of Learning Success, we leave you with the best advice they have received, a personal favorite question of the interviewer.

"Invest in yourself – continuous learning, personal growth, and take time for things you love outside of work." – Kara, Senior Learning Architect

"This was from a manager when I was quite new in a role of an Account Manager. He said, "Focus on what you can control." It changed the way on how I handle pressure. Instead of worrying about outcomes or other people's reactions, I put my energy into preparation, effort, and attitude. It's helped me stay calm, take ownership, and consistently improve." – Gesa, Senior Learning Partner

"Trust in your own capabilities and believe in yourself – you know more than you realise!" – Christie, Senior Learning Partner

""Don't wait until you feel ready."

Some of the most defining moments in my career came when I felt slightly out of my depth – leading executive reviews, navigating complex negotiations, stepping into conversations where the stakes were high. If I had waited until I felt completely confident, I would have missed those opportunities. Growth rarely feels comfortable. It usually feels stretching." – Jenny, Senior Learning Partner

""Don't be afraid to fail."

Failure isn't the opposite of success, it's often the path to it.

That advice taught me to raise my hand, take on challenges, and trust that I would learn along the way. Some of my most meaningful professional growth has come not from getting everything right the first time, but from being willing to try, adapt, and improve." – Kim, Academy Delivery Director