To mark International Women’s Day (8th of March), Climb Channel Solutions spoke to some of the incredible women across our business to hear about their experiences, insights, and the moments that shaped their careers. Rather than paying lip service to International Women’s Day in the abstract, we want to take time to listen to the international women who make Climb such a success – today and every day. 

This blog is a collection of their voices: stories of support, challenge, and success in the global IT channel. And while we highlight these voices today, we want to take a moment to recognise and appreciate every employee at Climb, whose contributions, dedication, and perspectives make our company what it is. 

There’s a moment in every career that sticks with you—a time when you felt seen, supported, and truly a part of something bigger.  

For some, it was stepping onto a stage in front of a thousand people and realising you’re not alone. For others, it was returning to work after a bereavement or personal difficulty only to find that colleagues have quietly transformed into family.  

It’s that manager who believed in you before you believed in yourself. It’s a team that learned about your challenges, adapted to them, and made sure you’d never again feel like you had to face things alone. 

You don’t have to be a woman to have your career shaped in this way. Indeed, these moments have shaped everyone who has ever questioned where they fit in an industry as fast-moving and interconnected as ours. 

So, this International Women’s Day, rather than rehashing the well-worn conversations about what’s missing, let’s talk about what’s already here: the people, the connections, and the lessons that make this industry a place where careers are built, rebuilt, and reimagined. 

Finding Your Tribe 

The idea of a ‘tribe’—a group of trusted colleagues, mentors, and friends—comes up time and time again in the experiences of women across the industry.  

“Having a ‘tribe’ in my career means having a close-knit group of individuals who are confidants, mentors, role models, and friends. These relationships are built on mutual respect, authenticity, trust, and a shared commitment to each other’s growth and success,” Kim Stevens, Chief Marketing Officer explains. 

For Michelle Boers, Director of National Accounts, it’s her ‘Team Michelle’—the names written on her fridge, the people she calls on when she needs direction. “It is empowering to know that this group of people supports me and when I need a hand, they are there.” 

Sam Edwards, Director of Sales Operations, describes this sense of belonging as something deeper than just professional camaraderie. In a year of profound personal loss, it was the people around her who anchored her—those who, without fanfare, stood by her through grief and transition, proving that a workplace can be more than just a job.  

Clodagh Doyle, Digital Marketing Manager, recalls a different kind of support: “When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, my colleagues took the time to learn what it was, and made sure I felt secure, comfortable, and most importantly—safe.” 

Kate Buggle, Financial Accountant, shares how achieving her accounting exams while working was made possible by a supportive community. “Having a ‘tribe’ is feeling like you belong somewhere. Your tribe allows you to flourish in your career goals.” 

Sandy DeVico, Director, National Accounts, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of collaboration: “Having women in similar roles around me who I can openly speak to and bounce ideas off has been a game changer.” 

These moments form the foundation of long, successful careers. And they show that at Climb, our commitment to fostering a supportive and encouraging work environment for everyone is something we live by – three-hundred-and-sixty-five days a year.   

The Unexpected Paths of IT 

Few industries come with so many career twists and turns as IT. Kim started as an engineer, following in her father’s footsteps at IBM, and assumed IT meant programming. Instead, she discovered an entire ecosystem—sales, marketing, alliances, leadership. “I never imagined the path my career would take, and while not every job was a perfect fit, each experience taught me valuable lessons about what I enjoy and what I don’t.” 

Now, as recently-promoted CMO, Kim credits the variety of her experiences—and the people who nudged her forward—for shaping a career she never could have predicted. 

That unpredictability is part of what makes IT so rewarding. “Meeting so many different people from all over the world with different backgrounds—that’s what I love about IT,” says Carlie Rowell, Business Development Manager. “When everyone comes together in one room, there is so much to talk about and this is when you realise how many good people there are in the industry, willing to share their knowledge and experiences.” 

Yvonne Prest, Vendor Manager, echoes this sentiment: “There’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure. It’s all I have ever known. It’s fast-paced, and you learn something new every day.” 

Sam points out that continuous learning is a necessity, which means growth is inevitable. “Take control of your professional journey rather than leaving it to others. It’s beneficial to have a vision for your career while remaining open to unexpected opportunities.” 

What Really Drives Change? 

This year’s IWD theme, Accelerate Action, asks organisations to think about what they can do to foster real progress. But the most powerful actions aren’t always sweeping policy changes —they’re often about the culture created in the day-to-day. After all, it’s easy to make a grand gesture when everyone is looking. It’s something else to show up consistently and dependably for the people around you.  

Support systems, mentorship, and equal access to opportunities make the difference. As Michelle points out, businesses need to take a hard look at their leadership landscape—who is getting promoted, who is being considered for leadership roles, and where there might be gaps in opportunity. Sam suggests that mentorship shouldn’t be a box-ticking exercise but a real, ongoing effort to pair experienced professionals with those looking to grow, regardless of gender. 

Kim emphasises the importance of skill-building—not just for women, but for everyone. “Learning how to present, tell a compelling story, negotiate, and communicate effectively is what gives professionals the tools to advocate for themselves.” 

Tiki de Groot, General Manager, also highlights the importance of inclusivity: “Your perspective is needed. Coming from different backgrounds can shape the future of this constantly evolving industry.” 

Creating environments where people can develop these skills in a supportive way is how we move the needle forward. 

Lessons for Everyone 

What stands out in these conversations is that the lessons shared aren’t just for women. They’re for anyone looking to build a career in IT, for any company looking to create a culture of support, and for any leader wondering how to make a lasting impact. 

“Never stop learning,” Sandy advises. “You never know if you will fail or succeed unless you venture to try.” Find multiple mentors, Michelle suggests, because “no single person will have all the answers.” And most of all, “believe in yourself,” Carlie reminds us, “because confidence is often the first step to opportunity.” 

International Women’s Day isn’t just about celebrating women—it’s about celebrating the lessons, the support, and the moments that shape all our careers. And perhaps the best thing we can do, today and every day, is to make sure we’re creating those moments for someone else.