Moscow office hosts 2019 International Women's Day event featuring Masha Gordon

Our Moscow office hosted an event with businesswoman, explorer, and mountain climber Masha Gordon to celebrate International Women's Day.

The goal of the event was to empower women and reduce perceived gender inequalities within business. In her inspirational speech, Masha spoke about women's power and leadership and shared her roadmap to success. She spent 16 years working in finance and capital markets and currently serves as a nonexecutive director of Alrosa, the world's largest diamond company.

In October 2015 Masha embarked on the Explorers Grand Slam female world record challenge. She has ascended the highest peaks on every continent and also skied the last degree to both the North and South Poles. By reaching two poles and the summit of Everest in just over five months she has set a new Guinness record.

"It was a humbling thought that I may have saved the life of my distinguished climbing partner in what was a very hostile thin air environment. I try to remember that when I am confronted with situations that are scary or off-putting. I no longer find it scary to speak to a high ranking bureaucrat, executive, or indeed, a president of a country," Masha said.

Chair of Global Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Regional Managing Partner for CE Marie-Aimée de Dampierre joined the event and shared her view on womens' role in modern society and in business. The group discussed the importance of keeping perspective outside the work place with hobbies and activities, and how sharing our passions outside of work unites teams and clients.

The lively discussion on the topic was moderated by Moscow Office Managing Partner Oxana Balayan and guided by Maria Kazakova, senior associate and Moscow Diversity Champion.