There are moments when you stop and realise an idea has become something much bigger than you imagined. Last Thursday's Leading Ladies Dinner was one of those moments.
What started as a conversation between a group of women passionate about supporting one another has evolved into a growing community of leaders, allies and trailblazers from across infrastructure, construction and business.
As one of the founders of Leading Ladies, it's incredibly rewarding to see so many talented women come together to share experiences, challenge each other, build meaningful connections and, most importantly, encourage one another to aim higher.
Throughout the evening, there was one message that kept surfacing in different ways.
None of us gets here alone.
Whether it's a mentor who gives us confidence, a colleague who advocates for us, a friend who reminds us of our worth, or a leader who opens a door, behind every successful woman is often someone who saw something in her before she saw it herself.
Our fantastic speakers, the Rt Hon Dame Penny Mordaunt and Cally Caroline Beaton shared stories that were insightful, thought-provoking and full of humour. Our wonderful host, Mims Davies MP for East Grinstead, Uckfield and villages, led conversations that challenged us to think about leadership, opportunity and the role we all play in helping others succeed.
One particular discussion stayed with me. We talked about the people who encouraged us to take the next step in our careers, apply...