WICE Awards 2022

(by Cristina)

Last night I was invited to attend the 2022 WICE awards dinner where we were able to congratulate the winners from 2020 and 2021 in person , and where the winners of 2022 were announced.

Firstly I want to say that it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and to catch up (without the need for a computer interface) with incredibly talented senior level women who are actively and daily opening the industry up to a wider pool of talent through volunteering and from within some of the industry's biggest influencers. I find all brilliant in their own right.

Men advocates were also in full force last night cheering their peers on (loudly and proudly) as their names were announced. I was inspired listening to their own personal and professional journeys as well as the ways in which they too are driving change from their position as part of the majority within the industry.

I also want to mention the caliber of all the finalists, some of whom happen to become winners. I say it this way because although in the context of an awards ceremony there is only one official winner per category, I know from first hand experience that judges often wish there were more. 

Last night there were happy tears and sad tears and when one puts as much passion in their job as the finalists do every day, both are entirely understandable human reactions. Specially on the night. 

Today, in the morning after the night before though, I would like to encourage the finalists (winners included) to use the platform that WICE has given to them to advance their career and also to magnify the impact of their work in the wider industry.

I would also like to remind them, whether or not they were named winner, that it is rare to have an opportunity such as this to stop and look back at one's career achievements and feel the appreciation of others in the form of endorsements.

And because of this, I would like to encourage them to see the awards process for the gift that it is. 

Finally, I would like to remind them of a thought that was pivotal for me. A much as there are places you want to take your career to, don't take for granted what you have achieved so far. There are people whose dream is to get to where you currently are at.

Congratulations to the WICE Awards cohort of 2022!