Lucia opens with a powerful reframe: HR sits at a unique intersection, understanding both people and business, translating strategy into everyday behaviour, and discusses how this positioning creates opportunity for both business and social impact.

She shares ADP’s Ada Lovelace Programme, providing STEM-education and comprehensive training to enter the labour market. With brilliant results such as a 65% workforce participation rate, Lucia is clear this isn't charity - it's smart business building talent pipelines and diverse perspectives.

Lucia describes ADP’s Break the Ceiling programme, sparked by a photograph of the management team: two women in a sea of male black suits. The programme showed that sponsorship, not just mentorship, drives advancement - Lucia herself benefited from this programme, advancing to her current CHRO role.

Her wish for all HR professionals: feel the power to influence. Don't be afraid to challenge the status quo. And in claiming that power, HR leaders really can change the world.

References: -

What actually drives progress for women in leadership? Encompass Equality's latest research

Thank you to Encompass Equality for sponsoring this episode.

Encompass is dedicated to creating better workplaces for women and building cultures where everyone benefits.

Powered by industry-leading research into women's lived experiences at work, Encompass turns real insight into targeted interventions that improve how people work together.

Their latest research, conducted with the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Chartered Management Institute, reveals what actually works and how to make change happen in your organisation.

Download your free report from Encompass Equality

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Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?  

Our book of the month for March is Don't Fix Women by Joy Burnford – a bold call to rethink how we approach gender equality in the workplace.

Joy challenges the narrative that women need to adapt or be "fixed" to succeed. Instead, she shines a light on the systemic barriers and cultural norms that need to change. Drawing on extensive research including the landmark Why Women Leave study, she demonstrates that the barriers women face aren't about women at all – they're about how work is structured, managed and experienced.

With published Gender Action Plans coming in next year, if you're thinking about root causes, want compelling data points for your business cases, and ideas for practical steps you can take, Don't Fix Women is the book to read. It's a timely read as we approach International Women's Day too.

Grab your copy – perhaps an International Women's Day gift for yourself or a colleague.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month’s Uplifting Book.