IWD 2025 - an interview with: Edyta Stec

Tell us a little about your career journey leading to where you are now.

When I look back, I realise that there was always courage to get involved. I moved to the UK 20 years ago and fell into hospitality, started as a team member with wagamama and very quickly discovered so many opportunities in an environment were looking for continuous improvement and opportunities to grow were part of the culture. I became Operations Manager a few years later. Especially time in the US was massively developing and drew my attention into value of adaptability. Later on, I worked for Bill’s as Regional Ops Director for London & Kent which helped me to embrace capability to team building at a new level. Four years ago, I joined GAIL’s and its compelling experience from the start. I am part of the team amongst other women and men equally being able to make bold and wise decisions as leaders. 

What does the International Women’s Day slogan “accelerate action” mean for you?

It refers to the urgent need to promote gender equality and women's rights through concrete actions and initiatives. It emphasizes the importance of actively working towards solutions. It calls for collaboration among stakeholders to drive meaningful change and ensure that women's voices are heard and valued in all spheres of life.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?

Lifting each other up is crucial for women as it fosters a supportive community that encourages empowerment, confidence, and resilience. It can manifest in various ways, such as mentorship, sharing opportunities, celebrating achievements, or simply offering emotional support. It builds solidarity and reinforces the idea that success is not a zero-sum game; when one woman succeeds, it opens doors for others as well.

How important is diversity across senior leadership teams? 

It can navigate cultural differences more effectively. This competence can improve relations and partnerships. Studies have shown that companies with diverse leadership often outperform their less diverse counterparts financially. This correlation suggests that diversity can be a key driver of business success. 

Senior leadership: 26%, C-suite: 19%, Chief-level: 1 in 4. These are the percentages and numbers of female leaders in our industry. What do these numbers represent to you?

Representing gender which is part of the 26% of senior leadership leaves me with a sense to advocate for greater diversity and inclusion within the senior leadership team. I hope it motivates many female leaders to push for more equitable opportunities for women and to mentor other women aspiring to similar positions. 

As a successful leader, how do you think (business) leaders can accelerate action toward closing the gender gap and ensuring equal opportunities in the workplace?

We should lead by example and model inclusive behaviour, actively participate in initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, and share progress publicly. Engaging male as allies, involving them in gender equality initiatives, their support can create a more balanced approach to closing the gender gap. 

Can you share your top tips for entrepreneurial/managerial/leadership success?

Continuous improvement is inevitable, hence why a culture of learning to keep everyone engaged and knowledgeable should be part of our plan. Ability to learn from mistakes helps to cultivate resilience to face setbacks but also sustain growth of team and business as long as we truly take lessons on board. Looking for inspirations not only within the industry but also in the world where creativity is people’s domain can lead to interesting and effective solutions and business ideas. 

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of starting a career at leadership level?

Strive to fully explore your wins and failures. Perform at a level when we don’t have to be outside ourselves and pretending. Be in the performance whatever the outcome is. We should be able to choose the performance which is available to us and not be narrowed and distracted by worry of not being good enough. Use your attention on what may go right. Especially for the younger generation, the power of role models cannot be overlooked. 

Have there been any role models through your life (work or professional) who have helped shape you as a leader?

I have always been quite lucky to be surrounded and learn from very talented female and male leaders, and there is no one person. We are experiencing growth at pace, and it’s quite significant at GAIL’s. It’s substantial learning which inspired me as a leader forever knowing that we can do it well and don’t compromise quality. Along my journey I have learned that culture has to be inspired and fuelled daily and if the purpose is only the fast growth without the people's strong attachment to the business purpose it jeopardises meaningful growth. I was also inspired to listen to hear which means that connection with people, efforts to see them, hear and build up on their contribution to the solution will always be the primary element creating business growth.