Today, we are joined by Bette Smith, an expert in organizational change and a coach in championing people. The conversation explores the critical role of self-advocacy for women’s professional growth, essential tools for navigating workplace inequities, and how leaders can actively champion the next generation of women. Bette shares her extensive professional journey and provides insights into the necessity of male allyship in accelerating systemic change for gender equity within organizations. Key takeaways for our audience include: Crucial Role of Self-Advocacy: Self-advocacy is vital for professional growth, especially for women, who often mistakenly believe that hard work alone will lead to recognition and promotions. Making Work Visible: It is not enough to work hard; individuals must make their efforts visible to leadership by regularly sharing wins and accomplishments out loud. Mindset as an Obstacle: A major barrier to self-advocacy is an internal mindset that views "tooting one's own horn" as uncomfortable or inappropriate in a work environment. Advocacy in Practice: Effective advocacy includes setting boundaries, being clear about what is in or out of the scope of one's position, and ensuring work tasks are distributed equitably. Interrupting Bias in Meetings: Small, day-to-day actions, such as politely calling out interruptions or ensuring proper credit is given for ideas, are highly impactful for fostering equity. Supporting the Next Generation: Leaders and peers can "lower the ladder" for others by modeling leadership daily, mentoring, and actively making space for diverse voices to be heard in meetings. Bette Smith is a management and communications consultant, coach, and expert in organizational change with over 20 years of professional experience. Currently, she serves as the Director of the Center for Innovation and Collaboration at Ball State University and is a principal at Destra Consulting Group. Throughout her career, Bette has worked with a wide range of global organizations—including AT&T, MoneyGram, and United Health Group—to lead initiatives in business transformation, assessment, and design.