SHEENA NABHOLZ
BEING A WOMAN, WHAT MAKES YOU POWERFUL IN THIS COMMUNITY?
"Well, there’s different kinds of power, one, of course, is the positional authority and yes, being the head of school, there’s a certain amount of authority that is automatically bestowed upon you. But I think, what I would hope if I were to ask others, to make me successful as a leader is the ability to collaborate. To listen to people carefully, deeply to synthesise ideas and see a bigger picture within the organisation and then empower people within their own jobs in a way that encourages them to follow the ideas. "
DO YOU THINK WOMEN'S VOICES ARE CONSIDERED IN SOCIETY TODAY, WHY OR WHY NOT?
"I think it depends really on the industry. I think that there has been a strong growth of women in certain sectors of medicine in engineering and computer science. We continue to see women growing in the field of medicine, for example, beginning to dominate. I think when it comes to female heads of school no we're definitely still in the minority and female. Heads of School of colour, I think just like me and one other person in the entire international school community. So I think no. There's still a lot of work to be done there. But I still believe that when it comes to the voice, we have a voice. I think that there's I know as many men now who are interested and concerned about making sure that women are represented in our in our industry as I know women who are passionate about that. And so I think that yeah there is a growing awareness of the role we play and need for equality in certainly in the arena in which I operate."
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT GENDER INEQUALITY AND WAGE GAPS IN OUR WORLD TODAY?
"Well, they make me really angry. I don't think I understand the history but there are some historic biases against women in terms of the workplace. You know I can imagine it's frustrating for people to hire people then they just take maternity leave and then the cost to an organization in terms of providing those services. But you know in the most developed countries in the world you know Canadian, Scandinavian countries where men and women now get a full year paternity leave… you know those countries are levelling the playing fields. And so again I think over time that those values from those countries will eventually spread throughout the world. It'll take a long time. But I think eventually women will start to see some parity but at the same time, I think we're going to be still quite vigorous in our efforts to keep that conversation going. Keep it on the agenda for discussions right now and part of a task force on diversity in leadership in international schools. Looking at the leadership of all kinds and the diversity of all kinds. And figuring out how do we you know again raise awareness and how to keep that conversation alive in international schools to make sure that our faculties and our leadership teams reflect the diversity of our student body. You know for me it's hugely important that young women get to see people who look like them in leadership roles. People of colour need to know they have a voice in the conversation and a place at the table."
WHAT IS A TRAIT, CHARACTERISTIC, PERSON OR GROUP THAT HAS MADE YOU A PROUD WOMAN TODAY?
"My own daughters you know, really wanting to be a role model for them and to show them that you know there is no limit to what they can achieve. It's been really important to me I think that the feedback that I've gotten from them about how important it is to them but to see me as a strong woman makes me even more committed to being a person."
IF YOU WERE TO BE PORTRAYED IN A PORTRAIT OF YOURSELF, HOW DO YOU SEE IT?
"I think you know, the emotions are what I would want people to look at and see... kindness, humility and wisdom that comes with the grey hair. Yeah, those are the things I think as I grow older are really important to me. Just kindness and being wise being thoughtful being reflected and being open and receptive to people. You know I think the more the older I've gotten I've been you find it easier to forgive people for who they are and what the same to me as well."
