Young Women Take Charge in ‘Leader for a Day’ Event
On 7 March, Ambassador Faye O’Connor hosted the third edition of the hit competition ‘Leader for a Day’ at the Residence. The event pairs ambitious young women with top professionals, giving them a real taste of leadership and pushing for gender equality at the top.
Men Join the Fight for Gender Equality
This year’s theme was #EmbraceEquity, so for the first time male leaders joined in. After all, smashing gender barriers is a team effort. Heavy hitters like the Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Mayors of Montevideo and Rocha, CEOs, academics, and journalists all signed up for the initiative.
Notable guests included Minister Pablo Mieres and UN Women’s Country Programme Manager Magdalena Furtado. Past winners also came back to share their inspiring stories.
Who Paired With Who? The Power Match-Ups
- Florencia González Mendiburu teamed with Carolina Cosse, Mayor of Montevideo
- Laura Storoszczuk paired with Mariana Chilibroste, Co-founder of Sellin
- María Antonella Trucillo shadowed Silvia Emaldi, Engineer & President of UTE
- Analía Reyes joined Geoffrey Fichte, President and CEO of HSBC Uruguay
- Camila Carvalho followed Pablo Mieres, Minister of Labour and Social Security
- Camila Fernández Spokojny partnered with Pilar Moreno, Associate Professor and Researcher
- Avril Perna walked with British Ambassador Faye O’Connor
- Avril Suvelza accompanied Blanca Rodríguez, Journalist
- Ana Laura Peralta worked with Diego Sayanes, CEO and founder of Grupo RUA
- Agustina Nacimiento sided with Alejandra Silveira, AstraZeneca’s International Logistics Manager
- Romina Werner teamed up with Alejo Umpiérrez, Mayor of Rocha
- Aitana Ordóñez paired with Isabelle Valois, Canadian Ambassador
What Happened on International Women’s Day?
The young women got up close and personal with their leaders, gaining valuable insights into what leadership truly demands. Ambassador O’Connor and Avril Perna’s packed agenda included:
- Breakfast with journalist Blanca Rodríguez and her companion Avril Suvelza
- Official Inmujeres ceremony at the Presidency, meeting President Luis Lacalle Pou and government figures
- Lunch with British business leaders including HSBC’s board member Isabelle Chaquiriand and CEO Geoffrey Fichte
- A behind-the-scenes visit to the British Embassy, where Avril learned about diplomacy
- Radio Sarandí interview on the contest and UK Women’s Day significance
- Chat with Montevideo City Torque women’s footballers about challenges and dreams in the sport
- Ending the day with a swanky cocktail at the Peruvian Ambassador’s Residence
‘Leader for a Day’ continues to break barriers and inspire the UK Embassy’s commitment to empowering the next generation of women leaders.
