Maricel Joy Dicion

By Sarah Walker Thayde Olarte arrived in Canada with only 16 suitcases. They contained everything she and her family — her husband, three kids and their pets — packed up in their native Venezuela before fleeing political and economic upheaval. Today, Olarte leads more than 19,000 employees across 15 countries as Senior Vice President, Retail & Digital Business, for Scotiabank’s International Banking business line. She oversees millions of clients and makes decisions that affect entire economies.

By: Kaylin Baker-Fields Gender equity can often feel like walking a tightrope. On one side is the urgent need to accelerate progress for women. On the other hand, there is a growing resistance that threatens to stall that progress. Lisa Kaplowitz, Executive Director of Rutgers University’s Center for Women in Business (CWIB), has devoted her career to studying this challenge.

By: WOI+ Editorial Team The phrase “Tall Poppy Syndrome” describes a reality many women face in the workplace. It refers to the set of dynamics that occur when individuals stand out by excelling beyond the norm. But unlike poppies in a field that grow tall and thrive, workplaces often respond by cutting these individuals down, subtly or overtly, as a way to maintain the status quo. This is more than an expression, it reflects a pattern where success triggers resentment, exclusion, and criticism.