If you ask anyone in the Women in Incentives Network (WiiN) what keeps them coming back, you’ll hear one word repeated: connection. Not the kind you collect on LinkedIn, but the real, lasting kind — the conversations that turn colleagues into allies, and allies into friends.
For Christine Rodriguez, that sense of belonging is at the heart of WiiN’s magic. “It’s those moments of lived experience and candid sharing of advice that help address business challenges, suppress imposter syndrome, and inspire confidence,” she explains. What began as a professional network has become, for her, a space to learn, share, and grow without judgement. “We know we’re supported — and we have fun too.”
That mix of laughter and learning runs deep through WiiN’s culture. Marina Hodges first encountered the group at an event and left with a simple but powerful impression: women showing up for one another. “I was so impressed by how amazing the women were together,” she says. “Having a sounding board of professional colleagues is invaluable. Expanding my global network has been so positive — and it’s hard to do that remotely. Having a forum for creating global relationships is special.”
For Adeshola Jaiyeola, the impact of connection has been both personal and professional. Through WiiN, she found mentors and peers who opened doors to new opportunities — and new ways of seeing herself. “I have made connections with women who have truly impacted my professional journey and made lifelong friends,” she says. “I was given the privilege of a mentorship slot that opened awareness, knowledge, and opportunities for me.”
This kind of support fills a real gap: women are 24% less likely than men to receive advice from a senior leader, limiting their career progression (Forbes).
These connections often start with something small — a message after a webinar, a chat after an event — and grow into relationships that change careers. “The webinars are my favourite,” Adeshola adds. “They create space for knowledge and self-awareness. You learn, but you also see reflections of yourself in others’ stories.”
For Rocio Liebana Vinuesa, who helped bring WiiN into being, that ripple effect was the entire point. “WiiN has allowed me to connect on a much deeper level with incredible women in our industry, to hear their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their journeys.” Those moments of listening and learning, she explains, are what give the network its strength. “It’s a space where authenticity and generosity coexist — and where you walk away lighter, but more grounded.”
It’s easy to underestimate how much strength comes from simply being seen and heard, especially when studies show that women are less likely to recognise their own strengths — only 56% of women strongly agree they do a good job, compared with 69% of men (Forbes)
For many of these women, WiiN isn’t just about expanding their networks — it’s about expanding their horizons. New roles, new collaborations, new confidence. And in a world that often demands that women be everything at once, there’s something quietly radical about creating a space that says, you can just be yourself here.
WiiN’s community thrives because it’s rooted in openness — a willingness to share the highs and lows of professional life, to ask for advice without fear of judgement, and to celebrate one another’s wins as if they were your own. “It’s that connection to my WiiN peers,” Christine reflects, “those moments that inspire confidence and motivation. They highlight how, on a global basis, we are empowered to make a real difference.”
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Written by Elaine Keep www.elainekeep.com