International Women’s Day Speaker with Ageas Asia: Give to Gain
This marked my fourth consecutive year partnering with Ageas for International Women’s Day in Hong Kong.
This time, I delivered a keynote on the powerful theme: “Give To Gain: Empowering Women For A Win-Win Culture.”
Karolien Gielen, Ageas’ new Group MD for Business Development, opened the session with inspiring welcoming remarks on the importance of cultivating an abundance mindset — a mindset that shifts us from scarcity to generosity and possibility. Daniela Adaggi, Chief Human Resources Officer for Ageas Asia, then set the tone by highlighting the company’s strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives across the region, showcasing tangible steps toward creating workplaces where everyone truly belongs.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025, at the current pace, it will take 123 years to achieve full gender parity worldwide. Rather than letting this statistic overwhelm us, we channeled the energy into actionable focus — emphasizing the active, everyday role each of us can play in bridging the gap and accelerating inclusive progress through intentional behaviors.
The psychology of giving
A core part of the session dove into the science behind giving, building on Adam Grant’s influential research from Give and Take. We explored the three reciprocity styles: takers (who focus on self-interest), matchers (who believe in quid pro quo), and givers (who help others without expecting immediate return). The evidence is compelling: consistent, strategic giving not only feels rewarding but compounds success for individuals, teams, and organizations over time, often leading to higher performance, stronger networks, and greater innovation.
The science of giving
We went deeper into the neuroscience of giving to make it even more tangible. When we give — whether time, support, recognition, or resources — our brains release a powerful cocktail of positive chemicals: oxytocin (the “bonding” or “trust” hormone that fosters connection and empathy), dopamine (the reward chemical that motivates us and creates a sense of pleasure), endorphins (natural painkillers that generate feelings of euphoria and well-being), and often serotonin (which boosts mood and self-esteem). This biological “helper’s high” explains why giving creates a virtuous cycle: it feels good in the moment, strengthens relationships, and motivates more giving — turning individual acts into cultural shifts.
The culture of giving
The session’s highlight was the highly interactive group discussions, where participants deep-dived into three practical, high-impact ways we can all contribute more intentionally to empower women and build inclusive environments in the workplace and beyond:
- Give Care: Offering genuine support, empathy, and emotional availability to colleagues navigating challenges.
- Give Visibility: Amplifying women’s voices, achievements, and ideas in meetings, promotions, and networks.
- Give Access: Opening doors through mentorship, sponsorship, introductions, and opportunities that might otherwise remain closed.
We concluded with a collaborative wrap-up where these insights translated into a beautiful wall filled with personal commitments — specific, heartfelt pledges from attendees on the actions they would take to foster a true giving culture.
Because giving cultures are winning cultures.
As an International Women’s Day speaker and expert in inclusive leadership, I’m deeply grateful for platforms like this that move us from awareness to real, sustained action.
If your organization is planning an International Women’s Day event, across Asia, or beyond, I’d love to bring this same engaging, science-backed, and action-oriented energy to your team.
Send me an email to veronica@veronicallorcasmith.com to explore a discovery call and discuss how we can partner for impact.
