International Workplace Group plc
188,922 followers
April 15, 2026
Across the global business landscape, women founders and leaders are driving innovation, solving complex challenges and creating meaningful impact within their industries. At International Workplace Group (IWG), we see this every day in our workspaces, where talented women are building companies that shape technology, strengthen governance, advance healthcare and enrich cultural ecosystems.
In the spirit of “Give to Gain” – the theme of International Women’s Day 2026 – new research from IWG highlights how flexible and hybrid ways of working are empowering women and the organisations they lead, to thrive.
Supporting these leaders is not simply about recognition. It is about enabling the environments where ideas grow, collaboration flourishes and businesses succeed. Flexible and hybrid models are central to that environment, helping women progress in their careers, boost productivity and build resilient, high-performing companies.
For organisations and entrepreneurs alike, hybrid work is no longer just a benefit. It’s a strategic advantage built on a simple principle: when businesses give people the flexibility to work in ways that suit their lives, they gain stronger engagement, higher productivity and deeper loyalty in return.
Women Leaders Driving Innovation and Impact
Around the world, women-led organisations based in IWG locations are tackling complex challenges and creating solutions with global relevance.
- In Switzerland, Natalya Lopareva eva, Co-founder and CEO of Algorized , is advancing the future of human-machine interaction. Her company has built a people-sensing foundation model that acts as the “nervous system” for physical AI. By giving machines real-time human awareness, Algorized is helping make shared workspaces safer, smarter and more efficient. The company recently secured $13 million in funding to scale this edge-native perception layer across robotics, automotive and smart building applications around the world.
- In Kenya, Grace Mburu Njiraini, Founder and Executive Director of Flywheel Advisory Africa, is shaping the future of financial integrity. Her advisory firm specialises in forensic investigations, governance and financial crime compliance. With deep expertise in anti-financial crime strategy, Grace’s work supports organisations and institutions in strengthening accountability and transparency across markets.
- In Ireland, Evelyn Kelly, Founder and CEO of Orphan Drug Consulting, is supporting pharmaceutical and biotech companies working to bring treatments for rare diseases to market. Her consultancy helps organisations build the technical operations capabilities needed to support clinical trials, regulatory compliance and commercial launches. Through its cross-functional approach and strong foundation in compliance and supply chain management, the firm is helping accelerate innovation in global healthcare.
- In Indonesia, Linda Hoemar Abidin, Co-founder of Kelola, has spent decades strengthening the cultural sector across Southeast Asia. Since its founding in 1999, Kelola has supported more than 3,500 artists and creatives across 34 provinces, expanding access to knowledge, networks and professional development. Through fostering innovation, collaborations and sustainable practice, Kelola is helping build a more inclusive cultural landscape where women artists and diverse voices thrive.
These founders represent different industries, geographies and missions. Yet they share a common theme: building businesses and organisations that create long-term value for society.
Flexible Work as a Catalyst for Progress
The success of women-led organisations is closely tied to the environments in which people work – and the outcomes those environments create for both individuals and businesses.
IWG research of more than 2,000 women highlights how flexibility delivers value on both sides:
- 77% say they would be unlikely to accept a role without hybrid working
- 66% say flexibility has positively impacted their career trajectory
- 73% are more likely to stay with an employer that allows them to work locally
When organisations invest in flexibility, the impact extends far beyond individual roles. They unlock stronger engagement, deeper loyalty and sustained performance, while expanding access to talent and strengthening leadership pipelines. In return, professionals gain the autonomy to do their best work, collaborate more effectively and build visible, lasting career pathways.
This balance is what defines the “Give to Gain” approach. Hybrid work enables companies to attract and retain top talent, improve productivity and support long-term growth, while empowering individuals to thrive both professionally and personally.
For women founders and leaders building the businesses of tomorrow, that flexibility can be the difference between maintaining momentum and unlocking the next stage of growth.
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Through Global Communities
Across global business environments, the conditions in which people work play a defining role in how ideas develop, relationships form and organisations grow. Workspaces today are no longer just places to complete tasks. They are platforms for connection, collaboration and progress.
In the spirit of “Give to Gain”, the message is clear: when organisations empower women with greater flexibility, they see stronger performance in return. As Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of IWG, explains, enabling people to work closer to home in convenient, professional environments does more than improve work-life balance – it opens doors to collaboration, accelerates career progression and removes the friction of long daily commutes. For many women, this flexibility becomes a catalyst for growth.
This is the essence of “Give to Gain”. When businesses invest in flexibility, they create environments where people can thrive – and in return, they gain more innovative, committed and high-performing teams.
