#TeamHB7
I'm proud to be one of 109 women selected from across the world to join the 2022-23 Homeward Bound program and be part of #TeamHB7.
#TeamHB7 encompasses women from more than 20 nationalities and a hugely diverse representation of STEMM fields, including research scientists, engineers, ecologists, doctors, mathematicians and astrophysicists. That is just the tip of the diversity iceberg!
Homeward Bound is a ground-breaking global leadership initiative for women with a background in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine). It aims to increase leadership capability of women and enhance our influence and impact on the decision making that shapes our planet.
It is widely acknowledged that women in STEMM fields are underrepresented in leadership globally. Homeward Bound emerged in recognition of the lack of women in leadership, both in STEMM specifically and in leadership generally, and how this has an impact on our planet.
Our journey
Commencing our program in March 2022, #TeamHB7 went on a unique journey to increase our leadership capacity, strategic capability, visibility, and collaboration skills.
Our journey culminated in a global meet-up of all participants in Ushuaia, Argentina, before embarking on a life-changing voyage to one of the most ecologically sensitive and inspiring areas on Earth, Antarctica.
Voyaging to Antarctica in November 2023, built my personal and collective leadership skills with a group of amazing women from the Homeward Bound program.
I'm excited to have been chosen to become part of a global collaborative network of 10,000 women leaders with STEMM backgrounds by 2036, working for a sustainable future for our planet.
Why Antarctica?
There are many reasons why #HomewardBound focused on voyages to #Antarctica.
Firstly, the journey to this remote and extreme landscape created a dynamic environment where the leadership, peer coaching, problem solving and collaborative skills the Homeward Bound program teaches were put to the test.
Secondly, a powerful component of the Homeward Bound program is that it is highly reflective, challenging participants to consider, reflect and understand their values and purpose and leadership styles. To successfully engage with this part of the program, participants benefit from the rare chance to disconnect from their regular lives and networks – something difficult for women leaders to achieve. The remoteness of Antarctica provided this.
Thirdly, Antarctica is changing. Observing first hand its fragility was critical to the program. As a result of climate change, it is undergoing some of the greatest and most rapid warming on Earth.
Antarctica taught each of us about the connectedness of the entire globe and our potential place in it.
Firstly, the journey to this remote and extreme landscape created a dynamic environment where the leadership, peer coaching, problem solving and collaborative skills the Homeward Bound program teaches were put to the test.
Secondly, a powerful component of the Homeward Bound program is that it is highly reflective, challenging participants to consider, reflect and understand their values and purpose and leadership styles. To successfully engage with this part of the program, participants benefit from the rare chance to disconnect from their regular lives and networks – something difficult for women leaders to achieve. The remoteness of Antarctica provided this.
Thirdly, Antarctica is changing. Observing first hand its fragility was critical to the program. As a result of climate change, it is undergoing some of the greatest and most rapid warming on Earth.
Antarctica taught each of us about the connectedness of the entire globe and our potential place in it.