Give to Gain: When Women Rise, We All Rise

When we give, we gain. It sounds simple but this year’s International Women’s Day theme is anything but small.

“Give to Gain” challenges us to see generosity not as subtraction but as intentional multiplication. When we give our time, knowledge, visibility, advocacy, mentorship, resources, or support, we’re not losing something. We’re building something. It comes in the form of stronger networks, confidence, and opportunities. And when women thrive, we all rise.

At Cray Kaiser, we asked several of our team members what this year’s theme means to them. Their responses remind us that giving isn’t just an action, it’s a mindset.

Giving Builds Community

For Maria Gordon, “Give to Gain” is about shared growth.

“The theme ‘Give to Gain’ reminds me that sharing my expertise with others is a way to build trust and relationships, and as a result, develop a community of support. Together we grow stronger.”

Giving Fuels Progress

Brigette Oberlander sees “Give to Gain” as a call to action.

“To me, ‘Give to Gain’ is a powerful reminder that progress, especially gender equality, is rarely achieved by taking, but by sharing, supporting, and uplifting other women. ‘Give to Gain’ isn’t just about what you give. It’s about creating a cycle where generosity fuels equality, empowerment, and collective success.”

She also shares one of the most practical ways she gives:

“One way I try to give to women in the community is by sharing access to clear, judgment-free information and encouragement.”

And her advice to women everywhere?

“Take the step. Adjust as you go. You are allowed to grow in public.”

Giving Creates Legacy

For Deanna Salo, “Give to Gain” reflects the arc of a career and the privilege of paying it forward.

“Throughout my career, the ‘Give to Gain’ has lived well. Early in my career, I gave effort to gain experience and then by mid-career, I was given leadership to gain impact. Now, it’s a privilege to give opportunity to gain legacy. This is not my legacy, but about creating an environment where talented women have support to navigate without boundaries.”

Her lesson for others?

“Create space for talented women to advance, even if they are next to you. Build pathways that didn’t exist before you. Lead in a way where strength, compassion and empathy belong in the same room.”

Giving Includes Asking

Natalie McHugh offers a perspective we don’t talk about enough.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Women often silently take on most responsibilities in a family, and this often extends to work and other aspects of our lives. No one person can ‘do it all’ – and asking for help from your partner, kids, coworkers, etc., is okay.”

Giving Starts with Being Full of Yourself

Raimonda Kesler shared a favorite quote from Untamed by Glennon Doyle:

“When women lose themselves, the world loses its way… What we need right now is more women who have detoxed themselves so completely from the world’s expectations that they are full of nothing but themselves… A woman who is full of herself knows and trusts herself enough to say and do what must be done. She lets the rest burn.”

Women to Gain

Kathy Myli reframed the theme in a way that stopped us in our tracks.

“We define “give” as to freely transfer the possession of, or cause or allow (someone/something) to have something; or the capacity to bend or alter in shape under pressure. As women, mothers, sisters, friends and colleagues, we do these things unconsciously. They are an innately inherent part of our beings and souls.  Therefore, to define the word “give” is to define the word “women” With that, I reissue the theme as “Women to Gain.”

This year’s theme is a call for strength, unity and resilience. To come together and stand as one community, one voice. Not to break under pressure but to be REFORMED into something POWERFUL.”

What Will You Give to Gain?

“Give to Gain” is a mindset of abundant generosity and collaboration. We have so many things to offer each other, like knowledge, mentorship, visibility, advocacy, time, encouragement, opportunity, and more. When we give these things, we don’t just advance individual women. We create a more supportive, interconnected world.

At Cray Kaiser, we believe that when women have the support to grow without boundaries, businesses grow stronger, communities grow healthier and the future grows even brighter.

So, this International Women’s Day, we’ll leave you with this question: What will you give to gain in the upcoming year?