International Women's Day 2026: Elicia McKenzie and Chris Corcoran

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” highlights the power of supporting others to drive collective success. At Proco Group, we spoke to colleagues across the business to hear their perspectives. In this interview, Elicia McKenzie shares her experiences working across HR and operations, while Chris Corcoran reflects on the role leaders play in creating inclusive workplaces and the kind of future he hopes the next generation will experience.

The Meaning of “Give to Gain”

For Elicia, the theme for International Women’s Day reflects the importance of collaboration and shared progress. Throughout her career in HR and Operations, she has seen how supporting others and sharing knowledge can strengthen both individuals and organisations. “Progress is rarely achieved alone,” she explains. “Sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues, and recognising the achievements of others helps create stronger organisations and more inclusive workplaces.”

Chris shares a similar perspective. For him, “Give to Gain” is about investing in people so they can grow and contribute fully at work. “When organisations create inclusive environments where people can grow and contribute, they gain stronger teams, broader perspectives, and better results.” he says.

Career Journeys and Defining Moments

Elicia’s career spans more than a decade across HR, operations, and project roles in sectors including charities, creative organisations, healthcare, professional associations and the NHS. Working across such varied environments has given her a unique perspective on how organisational culture influences collaboration, wellbeing and performance.

A defining moment in her journey came when she stepped away briefly from her career to focus on developing her art practice. The experience provided valuable clarity, reinforcing that personal identity extends beyond a job title. It also deepened her appreciation for the balance between creativity and structure. While her artistic work allows for expression and storytelling, her professional roles draw on organisation, systems thinking and problem-solving.

Ultimately, Elicia credits the people she has worked with throughout her career as having the greatest influence on her perspective, particularly in reinforcing the importance of protecting mental wellbeing, aligning values with organisational culture, and maintaining open communication.

Chris, working within the talent markets he covers, has observed similar themes emerging across organisations. The environments that thrive are often those that prioritise people, culture, and opportunities for growth.

Navigating Challenges and Shaping Leadership

Elicia has observed – and occasionally experienced – situations where assumptions were made about individuals based on protected characteristics rather than their abilities or potential. These experiences reinforced for her the importance of strong organisational values and meaningful inclusion.

In her work within HR and Operations, she focuses on modelling behaviours that create respectful and supportive workplaces. That means addressing inappropriate behaviour professionally, encouraging open dialogue and ensuring people feel heard and respected. These experiences have shaped a leadership approach grounded in fairness, accountability and clear communication.

Chris emphasises the important role men and leaders play in supporting these environments. “Inclusive workplaces require active support from leadership,” he says. Whether it is advocating for equal opportunities, supporting flexible working or ensuring different voices are heard in decision-making, leaders have the ability to set the tone for organisational culture.

Progress in Gender Balance

Reflecting on how workplace culture has evolved, Elicia notes that standards and expectations have improved significantly since the early stages of her career. Behaviour that might once have been accepted is now rightly challenged, reflecting growing awareness around professionalism, respect and inclusion.

However, she believes there is still progress to be made. While representation of women in leadership is improving, she looks forward to a future where gender balance is no longer something organisations feel the need to measure so closely. “True progress will be when gender balance feels natural rather than noteworthy.” she says.

Chris sees encouraging developments from a talent perspective as well. Candidates increasingly prioritise workplace culture, flexibility and clear pathways to leadership when evaluating employers. Organisations that support flexible working and offer transparent career progression are attracting and retaining more diverse talent.

Attracting and Progressing Women in the Workplace

Both Elicia and Chris highlight the importance of intentional strategies when it comes to developing diverse leadership pipelines.

For Elicia, inclusive workplaces are built through everyday actions: recognising contributions, creating space for different perspectives, and ensuring individuals feel valued for their work. Celebrating achievements, particularly those of women and individuals from underrepresented communities, can play an important role in building confidence and visibility.

Chris adds that mentorship and sponsorship are increasingly recognised as critical tools in helping women progress into senior roles. Organisations that actively invest in these initiatives are better positioned to support long-term career development.

Advice for Women Building Their Careers

Elicia encourages women to recognise that there is no single path to success. Careers evolve over time, and priorities can shift as personal and professional circumstances change.

Her advice is to advocate for yourself, speak up about your ambitions, and be confident in asking for opportunities or support. At the same time, she emphasises the importance of staying true to your values and remaining open to growth. As she explains, confidence often develops through experience rather than waiting until you feel completely ready.

Understanding concepts such as imposter syndrome earlier in a career can also be empowering. Recognising that self-doubt is a common experience can help individuals move forward with greater confidence and resilience.

Life Beyond Work

Outside of her role at Proco Group, Elicia is also an award-winning visual artist whose work focuses on representation and storytelling. Her projects highlight individuals of African and Caribbean heritage who are challenging barriers in elite sports such as motorsport and cycling.

Through initiatives such as the Art in Racing project, she aims to shine a light on underrepresented communities and celebrate the individuals helping reshape these industries. On International Women’s Day 2026, she was recognised with a Creative Excellence Award for the impact of this work.

For Elicia, the values that guide her creative practice – fairness, inclusion, empathy and curiosity – are the same principles that shape her professional approach within HR and Operations.

Looking Ahead

Chris reflects personally on the future he hopes the next generation will experience. As a father, he hopes his daughter will enter workplaces where opportunity is defined by talent and ambition rather than gender. Ideally, he says, leadership teams will naturally be diverse and flexibility will simply be the norm.

Achieving that future requires action today. Organisations must focus on fair access to opportunities, transparent progression pathways, and strong support during key life stages. When leaders invest in people and create environments where everyone can thrive, the benefits extend far beyond individual careers.