Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026: The Power of "Give to Gain"
Happy International Women’s Day! 2026 is all about the theme "Give to Gain," and here at Gumtree, we wanted to do more than just post a graphic on social media. We wanted to sit down for a real chat with three incredible women from our Consumer Function who are crushing it at different stages of their careers.
From a strategic visionary director to a growth-driving senior manager and a fresh-perspective talent, we’re diving into how giving visibility, giving a voice, and giving role models creates a cycle where everyone—and the business—gains.
So, grab a coffee, get comfy, and meet the wonderful women making it happen.
Alanna: The Strategic Visionary
Role: The Director of Consumer Growth, Trust and Operations.
Alanna’s career path is what you might call "purposefully broad". She started with a law degree in private practice before making a conscious leap into the business world. Since then, she’s navigated everything from negotiating oil and gas licenses to leading digital marketplace strategies as Chief of Staff at Homeserve. Now, she’s a powerhouse on the executive team here at Gumtree.
On Giving Visibility
Alanna is a big believer that while recognition should be gender-neutral, a leader has to be aware of the different ways people show up. "I’ve observed that some women can be less self-confident in senior meeting forums," she notes.
To counter this, Alanna doesn't just give a generic "good job." She is intentional about highlighting specific expertise.
- The Strategy: She seeks out opportunities for her team to operate from a "position of confidence".
- The "Push": She actively challenges her team to step slightly outside their comfort zones—perhaps by leading a tangential project—while ensuring they are fully supported.
The Unspoken Rule of Leadership
If she could go back and tell her younger self one thing, it would be this: Be curious.
In a room full of experts, you can sometimes be surprised by how, when asking questions, it becomes clear that not everyone has the same level of understanding. Curiosity builds understanding and alignment and vulnerability build trust.
Why We "Gain"
For Alanna, the "gain" in balancing the leadership scales is simple but profound: a variety of perspectives. Whether it’s women or men, having different lenses on a problem makes the business stronger. She learned this early on from her first role model—her dad, a business owner in Scotland who instilled in her the trust and capability to pursue her interests from a young age.
Lisa: The Growth Driver
Role: Senior Commercial Manager, Pay & Ship
Lisa joined us just before Christmas, bringing a wealth of experience from "disruptor" apps like Monzo and Skyscanner. She sits right at the intersection of product, marketing, and research, helping Gumtree transition from a traditional classifieds site into a modern marketplace.
Bringing Experts to the Table
In a commercial role, it’s easy to be the one who presents the final recommendation and takes the spotlight. But Lisa uses her position to "give visibility" by bringing the experts—the researchers and structural thinkers into the collaboration early.
- The Impact: By ensuring their work is surfaced to leadership, the "why" behind a strategy becomes much more powerful.
- The "Give": She sees her role as a bridge, balancing strategic mentorship from the executive level while clearing a supportive path for her team.
Challenging the Status Quo
When it comes to "giving a voice" to a new strategy, Lisa relies on data-backed recommendations. She believes a successful strategy must be user-centric—proving it meets customer needs while advancing the business. This research backed approach provides the confidence needed to challenge the status quo.
Real Talk on Progress
Lisa is candid about the fact that she hasn't had to "fight" for her voice at Gumtree, but she remembers earlier career moments where her ideas were dismissed by a room of men, only for them to suggest the same thing later.
"Progress must not be taken for granted," Lisa mentions. "There is still a long way ahead for true equality, making it vital to continuously contribute to this progress".
Soyeon: The Fresh Perspective
Role: Data and Structure Associate
Soyeon is the newest talent on our list, focusing on the fascinating world of taxonomy and search optimisation. This is her first role at a UK company after working in the Korean tech scene, and she’s already making waves by owning a major taxonomy initiative.
The Startup Mindset
Coming into a marketplace that is evolving can be "messy and unclear". Soyeon’s "give" to the team is her startup mindset.
- Turning Ambiguity into Structure: She maps things out, defines programs, and creates clarity where there was once confusion.
- Challenging Assumptions: By being from a different country and having a varied background, she naturally brings a "new way of thinking" that helps the team grow.
An Empowering Moment
Soyeon’s "aha!" moment came when she developed the taxonomy roadmap for the year. Lisa supported her by challenging the ideas constructively and helping her pitch them to the business.
"I felt my ideas were not only heard, but trusted and supported," Soyeon says. It was a perfect example of how senior leadership "giving" trust allows new talent to "gain" the confidence to lead.
Seeking "Confident Clarity"
When Soyeon looks at female leaders like Alanna and Lisa, the trait she most wants to emulate is "confident clarity". She admires how they are warm but speak with ownership without over-explaining or minimizing their ideas.
- The Over-Explaining Trap: Lisa and Soyeon bonded over the tendency women often have to use too many qualifiers or over-explain because they feel held to a higher standard.
- The Goal: Striking a balance where you know your expertise is heard and supported.
The Wrap-Up: What We’ve Learned
The takeaway from these conversations is clear: "Give to Gain" the theme for this years IWD, also applies as a very practical lens we can approach building a stronger, more balanced business. When Alanna gives her team the space to be curious and vulnerable, we gain a culture of trust.
- When Lisa gives visibility to the cross-functional experts behind the scenes, we gain more impactful, data-driven strategies.
- When Soyeon gives her startup mindset to structure the "messy" parts of our transition, we gain a clearer path to the future.
Confidence grows as expertise grows, and at Gumtree, we’re committed to making sure every woman has the seat at the table they deserve. Here’s to the women who lead, the women who challenge, and the women who are just getting started.
