As a Women Owned and led boutique IP firm, where pay parity is a given, Pearce IP celebrates International Women’s Day and the diversity, equity and inclusion of which we are proud. With more than 70% female leaders, menstrual and menopause leave, fertility leave, miscarriage and loss leave, more than 20% part-timers, and a “work from anywhere” business model, there is much to celebrate with diversity at Pearce IP.
We take a moment now to shine the spotlight on some of our incredible female leaders in our Leading Lights series. These trailblazing women are not just leading the way in their fields, they are redefining what it means to be a leader in today’s world.
Happy International Women’s Day 2024!
Kim Evans – Executive, Lawyer & Trade Mark Attorney
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
IWD is important to me because it celebrates what we can do and be and can achieve as women. It also reminds the rest of the world of these things.
As a successful woman in your chosen field, what or who drove you to be successful?
While I was growing up, I saw my mother’s inability to choose her own path in life, limited by the social values of the time, by unfair expectations from others and by other factors that weren’t necessarily in her control. It motivated me to be strong and determined and to be the driving force in my own life, including my career.
What’s the best piece of advice you can give to young women who are looking to you for leadership?
“Believe in yourself and back yourself!! We are stronger than we know, and we shouldn’t be afraid to try something that is outside our comfort zone”.
How do you ensure that you are a role model for women in the workplace?
I know my values and what is important to me – integrity, technical excellence, fairness, respect and trust. I value these qualities in others and strive to always embody them myself.
Why is diversity, equity and inclusion important to you?
All human beings are valuable and have value, even if they look, sound or think differently to us. In the same way that our bodies aren’t comprised solely of legs or ears or livers, as teams we need to consist of more than one type of person to function well and holistically. An emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace allows us to fulfill our potential and to welcome those who may not have previously had a voice.