Our Stories
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is Give to Gain. The theme is a global call to action, reminding us that when we support others, we help advance women and girls everywhere. Give to Gain highlights the importance of sharing our knowledge, guidance, and encouragement. By giving openly and wholeheartedly, we contribute to real progress toward gender equality.
At Irving Shipbuilding, there are many inspirational women who have embodied this theme, serving as mentors to colleagues across the business and supporting those beginning their shipbuilding careers through programs like Techsploration. Many others have also been on the receiving end as mentees, which has helped shape their paths at ISI and beyond.
We interviewed women across the business who embody this year’s theme. They shared their experiences and the impact that advice, both given and received, has had on their careers.
Haley MacFadyen – Apprenticeship Coordinator
What does this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, mean to you personally?
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, Give to Gain, reminds me that the energy we put into the world has a way of coming back to us. When you give your effort, kindness, and commitment to a cause, others notice. Choosing to share a positive and caring mentality creates a reality that reflects the same back to you.
The women who have encouraged and guided me throughout my life have become my role models because they embodied this principle. They showed me by example that when one woman wins, we all win. For me, Give to Gain represents a beautiful return on investment: a stronger, more supportive community built through generosity.
How do you interpret the idea that generosity, collaboration, and lifting others up can accelerate equality?
Here at the shipyard, we have the privilege of working alongside people from all walks of life. There are engineers, tradespeople, custodial staff, computer experts, leaders and those who are just beginning their careers. By acknowledging that we are all one team working towards one goal, our differences become our strength. When each of us takes the time to truly see others, offer support and celebrate contributions, we help build a workplace where equality is a lived experience. The simple act of making those around you feel appreciated, recognized and supported goes a long way, no matter how old you are or the role you play. When everyone feels valued and is happy to come to work each day, we pave the road towards equality together.
Lauren Haley – Director, Industrial Engineering
What does this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, mean to you personally?
The website description of the Give to Gain theme notes that "when women thrive, we all rise" and I resonate strongly with this message of rising. I believe it is important that we challenge ourselves to toss complacency aside, to keep rising personally, and to cast a wide light enabling and supporting others to rise around us. By giving a bit of myself to the women-matching communities in my personal and professional life, I can return the mentorship and encouragement that I've benefitted from and hopefully cascade that impact onto many others. By intentionally enhancing the environments in which we live, work, and play, we enable each other to be our authentic selves, meet new heights of potential, and spread improvement like wildfire.
What advice would you give to other women about building networks of support or being a mentor to others?
We understand the phrase "it takes a village" to mean raising a child, but I like to think it applies to each one of us. I am absolutely the product of my environments: coaches, supervisors, peers, students, mentors, juniors, etc., and the lessons I've learned interacting with all these folks throughout my life to date. None of us exists in a vacuum, and the way in which we portray and apply ourselves impacts those around us. I recommend trying each new network, mentor, or mentee on for size ... see what you might learn, what validation or support you might gain, and what you might give back to each opportunity. While each one might not be a perfect fit, you have the opportunity to make an impression with every connection and to build your network of support, input, and information along the way. Not all mentorship relationships are created equal, so don't expect a one-size-fits-all solution from any one person. Gather nuggets of guidance and experience as you grow because you never know which tidbit of info you might look back on when making a critical decision or when trying to help someone else make theirs.
Emma Cloutier – Team Lead, Quality Systems
What does this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, mean to you personally?
To me, this year’s International Women’s Day theme reflects the idea that the energy, support, and encouragement we invest in others ultimately strengthens us as well. When I give my time, effort, or knowledge to someone, whether it's through mentorship, collaboration, or simply showing up, it helps build stronger relationships, deepen trust, and creates a more positive environment.
Can you share a moment in your career when “giving” led to unexpected growth or opportunity for yourself or others?
One meaningful example of this is when I first started helping with our Employee Resource Group - OutReach. I originally joined simply to be supportive and contribute where I could, but what I gained was something I wasn’t expecting: community, connection, and a place where I could show up authentically. The experience opened doors for me to collaborate with people across the organization and helped me develop leadership skills outside my day‑to‑day role. It was a clear reminder that giving often leads to growth in ways we don’t anticipate.
These stories remind us that every act of giving strengthens our collective progress. Together, we show that when we give our support, we all gain, and so does the path toward gender equality.