GCVA 2025: Elevating Women’s Voices in the Incentives & Gift Card Industry
GCVA 2025: Elevating Women’s Voices in the Incentives & Gift Card Industry
At this year’s GCVA Conference in London, WiiN took the stage to discuss a topic that lies at the heart of our mission: the power of women in leadership and the impact of community. Rocío Liébana (WiiN Co-Founder), Jackie Barker (WiiN UK Ambassador), and Alizja Conteh (Managing Director, Givex UK) joined Victoria from GCVA for an open and thought-provoking discussion on how gender diversity drives better business outcomes.
Why Women in Leadership Matter
The data is clear—companies with diverse leadership are more profitable and productive. Yet, only a fraction of leadership roles in our industry are held by women. 25 years ago, female leaders in this space were almost unheard of. While progress has been made, the work is far from done.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
Empowering Women at Every Level – Businesses must first reflect: How aware are we of gender diversity in our teams? Many corporations have structured programs, but SMEs often lag behind. Creating women’s circles, mentorship programs, and unbiased hiring processes can help bridge this gap.
The Power of Community – It’s not just about internal support. Women need external networks like WiiN to connect, share experiences, and get inspired by those who have walked similar paths. The mentorship program at WiiN has already helped members step into leadership roles they never thought possible.
Cultural Change Drives Business Success – Blended leadership teams win more deals and create more resonant customer experiences. This isn’t just an opinion—it’s backed by research.
Taking Action – Change starts with small but meaningful steps. Ask yourself: Who is leading diversity efforts in my company? How am I personally contributing?
Looking Ahead
WiiN is here to empower, connect, and inspire women in our industry. Through mentorship, networking, and knowledge-sharing, we aim to drive real change. This discussion at GCVA was a reminder of how far we’ve come—and how much more we can do together.
A huge thank you to GCVA for providing a platform for these conversations and to all the incredible women shaping the future of incentives and gift cards!