Introduction: This International Women’s Day, Aer Rianta International (ARI) and The Moodie Davitt Report are proud to celebrate the achievements of women in travel retail and beyond. In line with this year’s theme Accelerate Action, we recognise the importance of moving beyond conversation to tangible change.
To mark the occasion, we spoke with five inspiring women leaders from across ARI’s global network. Each brings their own perspective on leadership, resilience and the role organisations must play in fostering inclusive workplaces.
Through these interviews, we highlight their stories, successes and visions for a future where opportunities are not defined by gender, but by talent, ambition and a shared commitment to progress.
“It stuns me that until 1973, women in Ireland were required by law to resign from their jobs when they got married,” says ARI Senior Retail Concessions & Development Manager Claire Breathnach.
“We look back now in disbelief and ask ourselves: How did we allow that to happen for so long?”
For Breathnach, the theme Accelerate Action is a call to act decisively on gender equality, before today’s imbalances become tomorrow’s historical injustices.
“By now, it’s an accepted fact that achieving gender equality is something that must be done. However, what we are grappling with is not if change happens but when.
“For me, the theme Accelerate Action means tackling the issue now, so that in another 50 years we don’t look back on other imbalances such as gender pay gap and ask: Why didn’t we do something sooner?”
She emphasises that progress in gender equality is not about grand gestures but about consistent, everyday actions that challenge biases and promote inclusion.
Breathnach recalls a moment that reinforced this belief: “I attended a large meeting where everyone had taken a chair, leaving the one other woman in attendance without one.
“She opted to sit on a bench at the side of the room, which meant she physically wasn’t at the table. In that moment, I asked for the meeting to be paused, took a chair from another room, and made space for her beside me.”
She adds: “Other small efforts have included encouraging someone hesitant about a job opportunity to apply and taking on a mentoring role to others.
“However, there are times when I know I could have done more. I could have been braver to call out unhelpful comments or challenge unconscious bias. My commitment this year is to be more fearless, especially if I’m serious about driving change.”
One bold step Breathnach believes organisations must take is formalising menstrual and menopause policies.
“Think of the women you work with and how they manage to perform despite some of them suffering in silence or soldiering on through pain,” she says.
“Just because it’s not openly discussed doesn’t mean it isn’t a reality for many. Imagine if we had policies that were designed to support women by simply levelling the playing field a little during this time.”
Breathnach highlights the need for workplace policies that support women, suggesting measures such as greater flexibility and an improved culture. Such initiatives would drive wider business benefits, including increased productivity and talent retention.
Mentorship, she notes, is another key driver of progress – but only if it’s truly active and engaged.
“As a football fan, I know that supporters on the sideline of any match are important, but it’s the actual players on the field that get the goals.
“It’s important that the men in our business are not bystanders but active participants in empowering women in the workplace. I hope they appreciate how valuable and significant a role they can play as mentors.
“From my own experience, I owe a huge amount to those who have given their time, unwavering support and commitment to help me at particular crossroads – you know who you are, thank you.”
Looking ahead, she challenges leaders to take a hard look at decision-making spaces within their organisations.
“The next time you walk into a meeting, particularly one where an important decision needs to be made, I’d encourage you to look around, notice and question if there is balance among the attendees.
“Leaders have the power to shape the way we do business – so let diversity and inclusion be part of that. If you’re seeing the same faces and hearing the same voices, take action to evolve it. Don’t wait for someone else to give the direction.”
Breathnach’s words serve as a clear call to action: real progress requires not just policies but a cultural shift – one where every leader takes responsibility for accelerating change. ✈
