b'EMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE,VETERINARY WOMAN CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGEACHIEVE & LEAD TOGETHERWe can choose not to allow ourselves to be overcome by guilt and pessimism, and instead wholeheartedly commit to knowing and doing better with every day that passes.In 2021 I launched a project with XLVets looking at the concept of flexible working; a topic of current debate which I believe is fundamental in helping to solve the retention and recruitment crisis. I have also enjoyed getting involved with Veterinary Women in Leadership, a collaborative initiative between XLVets and Veterinary Woman, which has taught me a lot about equality, diversity and inclusion. Working on these two projects has greatly improved my understanding of whatIn addition to developing my role inmakes a workforce sustainable and how human behaviour can practice, I have become increasinglybe influenced successfully on both an individual and cultural interested in wider policy matterslevel. This role has also given me the opportunity to speak and facing the veterinary community.Ichair at BSAVA Congress, SPVS, BVA Live and LVS, allowing me joined the BVAs policy committee into get out there and spread the word! September 2019 as their recent graduateHow do you feel this is making a difference?representative and was delighted toWithin every role that I do, I am working towards change. be re-elected in 2022, taking on theChange is an essential component of progress. Its not additional role of chair. always a linear relationship, and sometimes change canI joined the XLVets team in 2021 as afeel uncomfortable or even unhelpful, but without changeconvening a team of colleagues to try and reduce it. The point project manager, and currently split myimprovement cannot be made. time between my clinical role at Garstonis being the change you want to see, noticing what interests and managing collaborative projectsWhat motivated you to want to change things?you or frustrates you on a daily basis, and not waiting around on sustainable working practices forI remember my first boss giving me an excellent piece offor someone else to do something about it.the XLVets community.My particularadvice when I started out in practice. He told me that if IWhat has most helped and motivated you alonginterests include diversity & equitysee a problem I should own it, and not leave it for someonethe way?within the workforce, environmentalelse to fix. As Ive progressed through my career Ive oftenDo the best you can until you know better. Then when you sustainability and promoting responsiblereminded myself of that advice and found it to be applicable pet ownership. to almost every problem! It could be something really small,know better, do better. Maya Angelou.like noticing the blue roll has run out and bothering to replaceSuch a simple quote and yet the message is utterly it, or something much much bigger, like noticing the impactempowering. Angelous words are a call to arms, she asks us your workplace operations are having on the environment andto educate ourselves and to convert that knowledge into www.veterinarywoman.co.uk 33'