“I met my younger self for a coffee, she was five minutes early, and so was I. She was anxious about an upcoming meeting, and I tell her to relax because we have learned how to be an important voice at the table and there was a spark in her eye. She tells me that she is worried about getting everything perfect or right first time and I tell her we had to stop worrying about that, and when we did, our career furthered because of it. She asked if we faced any challenges and I told her, of course we did – but we faced them head on with the incredible support of our colleagues and mentors and now we are learning to thrive. Her shoulders relaxed and we both finished our drinks in calm and quiet.”

“To my younger self: Trust in your voice and use it, even when it feels small. Don’t let self-doubt or societal expectations dim your ambitions—your ideas matter, your contributions are valuable, and your potential is limitless. Seek mentors who inspire you, others who empower you, and peers who challenge you to grow. Remember, resilience is important – don’t worry about making mistakes, it is a step forward when you learn from it. Lastly, be kind to yourself; growth takes time, and every stage of your journey is worth celebrating. You’ve got this!”