From Inspiration to Impact: Accelerating Action on International Women’s Day

Every year, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on progress, recognize achievements and recommit to the work that remains. This year’s theme, "Accelerate Action," challenges us not only to celebrate women’s contributions, but also to take meaningful steps toward equity, inclusion and lasting change.

For me, inspiration comes from many places: mentors who have guided me, colleagues who demonstrate resilience and innovation, and the next generation of leaders who challenge the status quo. I think of the women who paved the way in fields where they were once underrepresented, proving that leadership has no limits. I think of the people in our own organization who advocate for fairness, support one another and embody the values that make progress possible.

But inspiration alone is not enough. True leadership requires action. It means taking the lessons we learn from those who inspire us and using them to create opportunities, open doors and foster environments where everyone can thrive. At JAMS, we are committed to not just acknowledging the importance of diversity and inclusion, but also ensuring that these principles guide the way we work, hire, promote and lead.

As we recognize International Women’s Day, I encourage all of us to reflect:

• Who inspires you?
• How does their story influence the way you lead, collaborate or mentor?
• What action can you take to help accelerate progress in your sphere of influence?

The power of inspiration is that it does not stop with us—it moves us to act, to lift others up and to build a future where equity is not an aspiration but a reality.

Personally, as I think about the numerous women who have inspired me throughout my career—as a paralegal in a small law firm where the owners (a husband and wife team) supported me financially to obtain a law degree, then as a new lawyer, then within my decades-long career in the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) industry—I am reminded of their tenacity, grit, creativity, advocacy and inclusivity, attributes that I endeavor to embody myself both in my role as CEO of JAMS and in other aspects of my life.

As the world’s largest private provider of ADR services, JAMS believes in the value of an inclusive organization. We recognize that diversity and inclusion strengthens our organization and the ADR field. We proudly support organizations such as Arbitral Women, the ABA Women in Dispute Resolution (WIDR) Committee, the National Association of Women Lawyers and the National Association of Women Judges, as well as many other organizations that seek to develop and support the next generation of diverse ADR professionals, including women, by providing mentorship, training and real-world experience. We believe that these efforts allow JAMS to better serve our local, regional and global communities, and to directly meet the needs of all of our clients, building an even stronger panel of the most qualified neutrals and associates.

While JAMS has long demonstrated a commitment to equality and inclusion for everyone in our organization and the ADR field, we will continue to strive to ensure equal opportunity for everyone. In that spirit, let’s not just celebrate progress; let’s drive it forward, together.

Learn more about International Women’s Day here.