It is an honor to be here today and be part of the 8th Women’s Leadership Conference.

I want to start by thanking the Board of Director of the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad & Tobago for providing a platform for an open conversation and to shed light and celebrate the many social, economic, cultural, and political achievements and contributions of women.

My name is Sonia Montes. I am the Director of Sales for FedEx. I oversee a team of 62 Sales professionals in Central America and the Caribbean.

At FedEx, our workforce is as diverse as the world we serve, and we believe that everyone deserves respect.

Embracing diversity is not just the right thing to do; we also have proven that it fosters innovation and makes us a more competitive company.

According to the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it.” The multiplier effect of the woman not only supports the business and her family but also the community and the economy at large.

Women can lead with sensitivity and firmness; I think that is a virtue.

Together, we can work towards a better future for women by building, supporting and getting involved in groups and practices that protect against gender bias and promote career development opportunities.

We also should bring more women in the decision-making process because they bring different perspectives and different competencies to the table.

I want to close these remarks with a personal take: work with focus to achieve your dreams. Believe in yourself and do not set limits. Challenges are opportunities to learn and be exposed to experiences that help us grow, as women and as better human beings.

Thanks!