Capgemini is proud to be a platinum sponsor of Defence Women’s Network Conference. Taking place in London, the event brings the Defence and Security Sector together to celebrate diversity and the efforts that make the Defence industry more inclusive.

The theme of the conference is Leadership and Self-Empowerment and explores how female leaders, at any grade, can enhance their skills to become the leader they aspire to be.

The Defence Women’s Network (DWN) exists to encourage discussion and exploration of gender and equality issues. Open to women and men alike, the DWN aims to break down barriers and end discrimination in the workplace.

Breaking down barriers for a better future 

Awarded the Times Top 50 Employers for Women, Capgemini believes a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are isn’t just a powerful moral responsibility – it’s also a source of competitive advantage. 

With a commitment to breaking down barriers to a better future, supporting the Defence Women’s Network provides Capgemini with the opportunity to be a part of creating a truly inclusive workplace within the defence industry by attracting women to this sector who have traditionally been underrepresented, and to retain its already considerable talent. ​

Discussing the importance of setting boundaries

Capgemini's defence expert, Women’s Network Sponsor, and Vice President, Nikki Staerck, is part of the panel discussion The Power of No: The Importance of Setting Boundaries and Realistic Goals. A relatable topic, not knowing how to say no is a problem that many people face.

Nikki is discussing how saying no within the workplace is particularly daunting, with the thought that declining any task could negatively impact performance or hinder potential advancement. While it is important to step in and assist team members whenever possible, it is equally important to understand limits and say no when needed.

The ability to analyze one’s workload and set realistic boundaries not only promotes efficiency, effectiveness, and quality control, but also enhances mental health and engagement in the workplace. The panel discussion poses the question: How can individuals learn to assert themselves and prioritize their own work, needs, and well-being while maintaining a harmonious workplace and collaborative work culture?​

Creating a diverse and inclusive environment

At Capgemini, Nikki delivers value for public sector clients and is a highly experienced executive with a long career spanning over three decades of leading digital and infrastructure solutions in government, telecommunications, logistics and utilities in the UK, Europe, Australia and Asia.​

Nikki is passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is comfortable for all colleagues, playing a leading role in women’s networks that have actively improved the diversity balance and are helping to drive a good culture for a fair and equitable workplace.​​

As a supplier in defence, Nikki is proud to represent Capgemini in the Defence Women’s Network to help be part of the work that attracts and retains more women across the defence sector as a whole. Traditionally, it has been an area that is not attractive to women. Yet, there are many opportunities in the sector, whether it’s part of the fighting forces, as well as the civil service and the multitude of suppliers who also work in this sector.

Explore further sessions at the conference 

As well as Nikki's panel, further Defence Women’s Network Conference sessions include: 

• Turn Lemons into Lemonade​. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Make the best of the negative situations in life. Learn how to adopt a more optimistic attitude in the face of adversity
• Silencing Self-Doubt: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome​. Imposter syndrome affects us all at one point or another. Techniques and tactics to identify the voice of imposters syndrome and how to silence it
• Queenagers: The Canaries in the Coal Mine for Organizational Culture. Queenagers aka crucial talent in an organization. Lots of senior women in an organization is a sign that people feel valued, appreciated and are conducting purposeful work with autonomy and flexibility (exactly what Millennials and Zoomers are after too)
• The Innovator’s Guide to Life & Career: Launch Before You Are Ready​. Perfectionism is often paralyzing, and it is not conducive to long-term, sustainable success. Aiming for progress rather than perfection, opens the door to a world of opportunities, and can pave the way to a bigger and more fulfilling life and career
• Talk It Out: Go deeper, Get clear. 95% of how we feel comes from our subconscious, which means most of us have no idea why we’re having a good day or a bad day. Talk It Out takes you deeper to help you understand your subconscious thoughts and the emotions they create
• Networking: Creating Your Own Beehive. Queen bees need others to survive and succeed – do you? Networking tactics to help leverage your professional growth. From creating connections with the right people, through to building a large network of influential contacts and climbing the corporate ladder

Get the career you want

Capgemini believes that diversity, combined with active inclusion, enables innovation and produces value that benefits everyone.

Bring diversity of thought and experience to a thriving career at Capgemini.

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