Celebrating women at Thunes for International Women’s Day 2026
International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 builds on more than 100 years of campaigning and celebrates women’s achievements in all aspects of life, from the economic and political to the social, cultural and environmental.
This year, IWD’s central campaign message is ‘Give To Gain’ – a rallying call around a mindset of generosity and collaboration, suggesting that when we share things, everyone benefits.
As IWD states: “Give To Gain emphasises the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organisations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.”
We asked Thunesters from around the world to reflect on what Give to Gain means to them, and the wider messages and lessons they wanted to share with women everywhere.
Adelina Moura, Network Development Manager, Mozambique
If I had to pick one word to describe women supporting women, it’s Inspirational.
I grew up watching the women around me lead with endless strength and open smiles.
I saw them as caregivers, career-builders, and family-anchors, often being hardest on themselves just to outpace the world’s expectations.
To us, there is no such thing as an “impossible” obstacle. We don’t just see knots; we see things that can be untangled.
We make the unreal possible because we fight to become our better selves every single day.
Happy International Women’s Day to the women making the “impossible” look easy.
Ana Macias, Treasury Analyst, Ecuador
To me, Give to Gain means growth multiplies when it is shared. When we offer our time, knowledge, encouragement, or even simple belief in someone else, we do not lose anything. We expand.
I remember when I first started at Thunes. I was fortunate to have a woman who supported and trained the new LATAM team.
Despite being in a different time zone, she showed up to every training session with the same energy and dedication. She shared her knowledge openly and made us feel supported from day one. That support built strong confidence in our work and inspired me deeply.
Today, I try to pass that same belief forward. Because when women support women, we do not just grow individually. We rise together.
Isha Lohani, VP – Legal, Singapore
In an era defined by geopolitical shifts and the lightning pace of technology, uncertainty is our only constant.
To the incredible women navigating this reality: remember that Give to Gain starts within.
Give yourself the grace to pause, the courage to lead, and the mental fortitude to thrive.
When you invest in your own resilience, you gain a limitless capacity to empower your peers, mentor the next generation, and lead our global community.
Let us not forget that strong women strengthen the world.
Kranthi Meka, Head of Strategic Accounts, Americas, San Francisco
One of the most meaningful things I have received from other women leaders is a deep appreciation for the power of diversity and inclusion.
I learned early on that when different perspectives are welcomed, people feel a genuine sense of belonging.
That lesson stayed with me, and today I try to pass it forward by helping create environments where others feel seen, heard, and empowered to grow.
At Thunes, this comes to life every day. My personal goal has always been to be part of an organization that solves complex problems while creating a positive impact in the world.
With colleagues across 15 offices and more than 60 nationalities, diversity and inclusion are truly part of our DNA.
Being surrounded by talented payments professionals and having the support of both leadership and peers motivates me to keep contributing and lifting others as we grow together.
Praniti Jain, Product Manager – Treasury, Singapore
To me, Give to Gain means stepping beyond comfort and into the unknown, trusting that real growth comes from the pressure that stretches you.
The greatest gains rarely come from certainty, but from the willingness to embrace complexity and learn through it.
In my journey, every meaningful step forward has come from betting on my own potential.
Moving from the quantitative world of derivatives and trading into Product Management was more than a role change. It was a deliberate shift in mindset.
Navigating evolving product roadmaps and cross functional collaboration reinforced my curiosity to learn and the confidence to explore new domains.
That same mindset shapes how I lead beyond work. Balancing a demanding career while being a mother of two has strengthened my ability to prioritise, adapt quickly, and make thoughtful decisions under pressure.
My advice to women is simple. Challenge the limits you think you have and do not let others define your ceiling.
Stefany Moccetti, Field Marketing Manager, Barcelona
Advice that I believe could be valuable for women growing their careers is to seek mentors and also be one.
Having mentors gives you perspective, challenges your thinking, and helps you move through moments of uncertainty.
Stepping into a mentoring role yourself deepens those same skills in a different way.
When you guide someone else, you clarify your own knowledge, strengthen your communication, and build confidence in your experience.
Mentorship does not necessarily require seniority; it requires willingness. Even small acts, like sharing lessons learned, offering feedback, or making introductions, can have a meaningful impact.
By both learning and giving, you create a continuous cycle of growth, not just for both yourself and for the community.
Yuan Gu, Head of Product Data & AI, Singapore
Working in the field I am in, which has traditionally been male dominated, tailored support for women is invaluable.
I have been fortunate to learn from both female and male mentors and managers. One lesson has stayed with me: real “giving” is helping someone clearly see and trust their better self.
Through my female mentors especially, I became more aware of how easily women slip into imposter syndrome. In those moments, authentic recognition and thoughtful guidance matter more than advice. They have the power to unlock confidence, and with it, capability that was already there.
My greatest sense of achievement does not come from individual wins. It comes from seeing someone I work with produce higher impact work because they trust their judgment more, act with confidence, and own their decisions.
So to me, Give to Gain is about investing in collective ROI. When one person grows, we all do.
The word that defines what women supporting women means to me is Amplification. When we give each other space and genuine recognition, we go beyond adding value, we multiply it.
