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Giving back to help women thrive and creating lasting impact
The year, we are marking International Women's Day (Sunday 8th March) with a series of content, events, as well as charitable and volunteering initiatives taking place globally across the month of March.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is ‘Give to Gain’. Kennedys’ response will focus on shining a light on how giving back, including across the firm, with our clients and in our wider communities, helps women thrive and creates lasting impact.
Check back regularly to stay up to date with upcoming events, activity and interviews with our people.
Our focus for IWD 2026
Women who give back
Initiatives that support women
Allies in action
Collective impact
Beyond the podium: perseverance, purpose and growth, with Nancy Kerrigan, two-time Olympic medalist and US National Champion
In this live webinar, marking International Women’s Day, we hosted a fireside chat with Nancy Kerrigan, two-time Olympic medallist and US National Champion, led by our Partners Bevin Carroll and Danielle Valliere. Drawing from her personal and professional journey, Nancy reflected on perseverance through adversity, the power of reinvention and how purpose and growth often come from what we give to others.
Our activity
Lauren Gosnell on the ‘If You Ask Me’ podcast
Partner Lauren Gosnell shares her journey into law, balancing motherhood and partnership, and why flexible working and visible female role models matter.
How Adultification Bias Fuels the Exploitation of Girls
Celebrating those who give back at Kennedys
To mark International Women’s Day, we spoke with Trainee Solicitor Alya Moktar about her involvement in Kennedys’ pro bono programme and the impact of supporting individuals through housing possession matters.
Her experience working alongside one of the country’s leading female property KCs reflects the importance of mentorship, representation, and women supporting one another in the legal profession.
Nicole Wearne is Australian Managing Partner at Kennedys and a Partner in the Firm’s financial lines practice, based in Melbourne. Alongside her leadership role, she serves as a Director of United Way Australia, supporting initiatives that improve early literacy outcomes for children in disadvantaged communities.
Through her board role, Nicole combines her legal and risk expertise with a strong commitment to community impact, demonstrating how leadership can extend beyond the profession to create meaningful change.
Read Nicole’s Q&A to learn more about her role with United Way and what “Give to Gain” means to her.
Justin Perry is a Thrive Together Champion in the US, working closely with the US Partner Sponsor to lead and grow the firm’s volunteering initiatives. Based in Philadelphia, he also serves on the Board of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.
Through his involvement in Thrive Together, Justin helps colleagues find practical ways to give back to their communities, while reinforcing the value of respect, hospitality and collective impact.
Aminah Ibrahim is a Trainee Solicitor and Pro Bono Champion who plays an active role in the Schools Consent Project, delivering workshops that support young people’s understanding of consent and respect. Through this work, she has strengthened her communication skills, confidence and ability to present complex legal concepts in an accessible way.
Her experience reflects this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain”, demonstrating how contributing to positive social change can foster both personal and professional growth.
Gbemisola Obolo has been actively involved in mentoring, social mobility initiatives and pro bono volunteering, driven by a strong belief in the power of investing in others. Inspired by the support she received throughout her own journey, she is passionate about widening access to career guidance and professional networks, particularly for young women.
Her reflections on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain”, highlight how volunteering is not a one-way act, but a long-term investment with lasting social impact.
In conversation with Olga Willers, we explored the SmartLife programme taking place this International Women’s Day and her role in leading the local Thrive Action Group in Dubai. Working within the UAE’s regulatory framework, Olga helps ensure community initiatives are both impactful and fully compliant, bridging global CSR priorities with local requirements.
Her reflections on “Give to Gain” highlight the value of collective support and the importance of delivering meaningful, community-focused action.
Myriam Leslie Bamba has been actively involved in a wide range of pro bono and mentoring initiatives, from supporting aspiring lawyers to contributing to complex international casework through the Amicus programme. Through this work, she has strengthened her advocacy, research and communication skills, while deepening her understanding of the human impact of the law.
Her reflections on “Give to Gain” highlight how investing time and knowledge in others not only widens access to opportunity, but also plays a meaningful role in professional and personal growth.
Read Myriam’s Q&A to learn more about her pro bono journey and what giving back means to her.