On March 13, Zscaler partnered with The King’s Trust to host a Brilliant Breakfast in celebration of International Women’s Day. Part of the Trust’s ‘Change a Girl’s Life’ campaign, this inspiring event brought together Zscaler business leaders, partners and customers to raise funds and awareness, with the goal of empowering the next generation of young women in their career aspirations.The economic challenges of the past few years have left many young women feeling uncertain about their future. In fact, 45 percent of young women report feeling hopeless according to a survey from the King’s Trust, compared to just 36 percent of young men. This sense of uncertainty is compounded by a lack of confidence, which is something more young women than men cite as a barrier to achieving their career goals. Additionally, mental health challenges and the rising cost of living are also contributing to holding young women back. When combined, these findings highlight the pressing need for change and support to help young women get started in their careers. The Power of Community and MentorshipIt was with real pleasure that I stepped up on behalf of Zscaler to host the Brilliant Breakfast earlier this week at Claridge’s in London. Our goal was to raise funds to help young women gain the skills, confidence, and job opportunities they need to succeed – whether through increased engagement with potential employers or by equipping them with the necessary skills to start their own businesses. Since its inception in 2020, the Change a Girl’s Life campaign has raised over £2.2 million, supporting more than 2,000 young women on their journey towards a brighter future. At Zscaler, we believe in the importance of fostering an inclusive and nurturing working environment for women. Our long-standing commitment to supporting females in the tech industry extends beyond this event, but the Brilliant Breakfast provided a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in both donations and awareness. As part of my host duties for the morning, I was also asked to present a motivational keynote. Leaning into my experience as a mentor and female leader in the tech space, I was more than happy to point out the importance of mentorship and guidance from a role model. The Change a Girl’s Life campaign exists to ensure that young women’s potential isn’t limited by their environment or the education level of their parents. It’s about unlocking their true potential by providing them with access to the right education, motivation, and guidance. When a girl sees role models breaking barriers in their industries, she can start to believe in her own power to make a difference. I was honoured to act as a role model that morning, and to share my insights about not aiming for a specific title, but giving yourself the freedom to choose your own path and become self-sustaining. My goal has always been to inspire and empower every woman to reach her potential, so that fitted perfectly with the aim of the Brilliant Breakfast.In turn, I was personally inspired by the participation of The King’s Trust ambassador Grace Graham. Despite growing up in difficult family circumstances and facing significant personal challenges, Grace has been able to turn her life around and build a successful business due to the skills and knowledge she gained through the program. Empowered by the support she received from the Trust, she not only changed her own future, but has also become a powerful role model for others, demonstrating that anyone can overcome adversity and achieve their dreams in the right environment. Making an Impact: Fundraising for the FutureThe Brilliant Breakfast is more than just a one-day event – it’s a catalyst for lasting change. As part of our ongoing support, Zscaler has donated $25,000 to the Change a Girl’s Life campaign. This contribution will help 20 young women across the UK to access training courses, explore job opportunities, and receive coaching through practice interviews – all valuable resources to help them advance their careers in tech. We also hope that by participating, Zscaler’s customers and partners will have felt inspired to pick up the mantle of empowering young women, and to contribute themselves, amplifying the impact of the Trust’s efforts and helping even more young women build successful futures. For those interested in getting involved in The King’s Trust initiative, learn more about how to host your own Brilliant Breakfast or donate here. Together, we can shape a future where every young woman has the opportunity to thrive.  

​[#item_full_content] On March 13, Zscaler partnered with The King’s Trust to host a Brilliant Breakfast in celebration of International Women’s Day. Part of the Trust’s ‘Change a Girl’s Life’ campaign, this inspiring event brought together Zscaler business leaders, partners and customers to raise funds and awareness, with the goal of empowering the next generation of young women in their career aspirations.The economic challenges of the past few years have left many young women feeling uncertain about their future. In fact, 45 percent of young women report feeling hopeless according to a survey from the King’s Trust, compared to just 36 percent of young men. This sense of uncertainty is compounded by a lack of confidence, which is something more young women than men cite as a barrier to achieving their career goals. Additionally, mental health challenges and the rising cost of living are also contributing to holding young women back. When combined, these findings highlight the pressing need for change and support to help young women get started in their careers. The Power of Community and MentorshipIt was with real pleasure that I stepped up on behalf of Zscaler to host the Brilliant Breakfast earlier this week at Claridge’s in London. Our goal was to raise funds to help young women gain the skills, confidence, and job opportunities they need to succeed – whether through increased engagement with potential employers or by equipping them with the necessary skills to start their own businesses. Since its inception in 2020, the Change a Girl’s Life campaign has raised over £2.2 million, supporting more than 2,000 young women on their journey towards a brighter future. At Zscaler, we believe in the importance of fostering an inclusive and nurturing working environment for women. Our long-standing commitment to supporting females in the tech industry extends beyond this event, but the Brilliant Breakfast provided a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in both donations and awareness. As part of my host duties for the morning, I was also asked to present a motivational keynote. Leaning into my experience as a mentor and female leader in the tech space, I was more than happy to point out the importance of mentorship and guidance from a role model. The Change a Girl’s Life campaign exists to ensure that young women’s potential isn’t limited by their environment or the education level of their parents. It’s about unlocking their true potential by providing them with access to the right education, motivation, and guidance. When a girl sees role models breaking barriers in their industries, she can start to believe in her own power to make a difference. I was honoured to act as a role model that morning, and to share my insights about not aiming for a specific title, but giving yourself the freedom to choose your own path and become self-sustaining. My goal has always been to inspire and empower every woman to reach her potential, so that fitted perfectly with the aim of the Brilliant Breakfast.In turn, I was personally inspired by the participation of The King’s Trust ambassador Grace Graham. Despite growing up in difficult family circumstances and facing significant personal challenges, Grace has been able to turn her life around and build a successful business due to the skills and knowledge she gained through the program. Empowered by the support she received from the Trust, she not only changed her own future, but has also become a powerful role model for others, demonstrating that anyone can overcome adversity and achieve their dreams in the right environment. Making an Impact: Fundraising for the FutureThe Brilliant Breakfast is more than just a one-day event – it’s a catalyst for lasting change. As part of our ongoing support, Zscaler has donated $25,000 to the Change a Girl’s Life campaign. This contribution will help 20 young women across the UK to access training courses, explore job opportunities, and receive coaching through practice interviews – all valuable resources to help them advance their careers in tech. We also hope that by participating, Zscaler’s customers and partners will have felt inspired to pick up the mantle of empowering young women, and to contribute themselves, amplifying the impact of the Trust’s efforts and helping even more young women build successful futures. For those interested in getting involved in The King’s Trust initiative, learn more about how to host your own Brilliant Breakfast or donate here. Together, we can shape a future where every young woman has the opportunity to thrive.