The theme of this year's International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias. It is a call to action to create an equal world—free from bias and discrimination, and where differences are valued and celebrated.
To mark this day, we are highlighting the achievements of female leaders across Munters and raising awareness of biases and how we can all work towards an inclusive and equal world.
Below they share their experiences and ways we can all #BreakTheBias.
Keiko Asano
Managing director and financial controller, Japan
What biases have you encountered?
Some men say "A women managing director? Impossible!” But they usually change their minds when they see what I do every day.
What can we all do to counteract biases?
Whenever I experience biases, I focus on being me and not letting it change the way I am or how I act.
What women do you look up to and why?
My grandmother who passed away a long time ago. She told me to "Go and vote because you have the right to choose" and "Feed yourself. Don't be dependent on your partner or spouse". I’m still reminded of her words.
Ing-Marie Andersson Drugge
Plant manager, Sweden
What achievement are you most proud of?
I am proud of my family, my three kids, and my grandchildren. Thanks to my fantastic husband and father of my kids, it has been possible for me to combine a great career with active family life.
What biases have you encountered?
That a hard-working woman cannot also be a good mother.
What can we all do to counteract biases?
As a woman and manager, I can support and coach other women to take on bigger roles and responsibilities at work.
Jeanette Mendez
HR manager, US
What achievement are you most proud of?
Two initiatives changed the workplace culture and made me a better person.
The first initiative was when we obtained the inclusive workplace certification at the Mexico facility nine years ago. We employed people who are deaf in production and administrative positions. Learning sign language and interacting with people who were hard of hearing is one of the best experiences I have ever had.
The other initiative I’m most proud of was 15 years ago at the Mexico plant. There was only one area in production where female employees were allowed to work. Single mothers were not even considered. This was a common practice in the manufacturing industry in Mexico at the time. However, I started hiring single mothers and women regardless of the department with the same salary and opportunities as our male employees. I am grateful for the trust management had in my initiatives.
What biases have you encountered?
"Latin American immigrants are looking to steal American jobs" or "you can offer lower wages to Latinos". Nevertheless, I have been very lucky. Not only because I have not experienced discrimination in the workplace, but because I have always had Munters’ support to make the workplace more diverse and inclusive.
What women do you look up to and why?
Women, like Ana Ramirez, Elvia Carrillo Puerto, and Lydia Cacho, who have had an inspiring impact on my country and who make daily sacrifices for human rights.
Sarah Chen
Service Center supervisor, China
What achievement are you most proud of?
I sponsored a child from Tibet who lost his parents in the Yushu earthquake so he could go to college.
What is the biggest misconception people have about you?
My friends think I am quiet and should be home instead of working. But I have a sense of adventure – I enjoy learning and trying new things.
What women do you look up to and why?
Hua Mulan (花 木兰) and Wu Zetian (武则天). There have been many prominent women throughout history. I mostly admire the teacher Zhang Guimei who created China's first free high school for girls in poor mountain areas. More than 1,800 girls in her school went on to university. She had no children herself but students everywhere. She changed the fate of many girls and touched the lives of countless people in China.
Adriane dos Santos Ribeiro
Industrial electrician, Brazil
What do you do at Munters?
I assemble the equipment's electrical panels. I show new employees how to do Munters’ standard service and, if necessary, I do the electrical work on the machines together with the team.
What achievement are you most proud of?
My greatest achievement is my financial independence. I am a single parent of two girls. I am proud to be able to give them a good education and be a good role model for them and show them that they can also be independent. Professionally, it is the recognition of my daily work that I am most proud of.
What can we all do to counteract biases?
Empathy is important because it is always too easy to judge someone. But you never know the story behind a person's life. So try to get to know them better before you make a judgment.
