IWD 2025 - an interview with: Meaghan Dorman

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

My first jobs were in hospitality, and I found my way back to it after some years in music and publishing. Quite simply I was looking for a creative career, and I found that in creating cocktails and building third spaces. I started as a bartender when Raines Law Room opened, and I knew I would put down roots there and help build the business. eventually I became an equity partner and we've gone on to open a second location and three locations of Dear Irving. I now manage those 5 bar teams and collaborate with the staff to keep our service and menus fresh and exciting. 

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

Accelerate Action says to mean don't wait for momentum but be the cause. See opportunity and use your energy and creativity to capitalize on the moment. 

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

Community is essential for having the perspective and energy to keep progressing. the circle of women in my life not only celebrate me, but are a sounding board for new ideas, a place for honest feedback and a space to relax and recharge. 

How important is diversity across senior leadership teams? 

Diversity is essential in senior leadership because it provides more perspective & insight. If goods and services want to appeal to a broad swath of potential customers, having insight from people of different ages, backgrounds, lived experiences means the messages and marketing can be created with different opinions & ideas. I find collaboration, while it might be more work, results in a better product or execution at the end of the day. Working in hospitality, I've been taught so much of about flavors, experiences and technique that is different from what I learned on my path. 

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

It says many businesses are lacking essential perspective, missing ideas and ultimately leaving potential income for a competitor to pick up. I also question the company culture of businesses lacking in female leaders, it tells me there is a lack of mentorship and blind spots in the business. 

As a successful leader, how do you think businesses can accelerate action toward closing the gender gap and ensuring equal opportunities? 

I think considering different hiring techniques can help find new talent. For example, blind interviews, recruiting from different schools, re-examining training materials can all assist in progress and businesses finding fresh talent to hire or promote from within

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

Look for inspiration not just in your career field but from leaders that inspire you in any form. 

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

Stay grounded and confident in your skills and perspective. While you can always build on this, don't wait until you feel like you are the "perfect" candidate or expert- start the journey today. and don't be afraid to apologize when you make a bad call, its the aftermath more than the one decision that can influence how people continue to build trust with you. 

Have there been any role models who have helped shape you as a leader?

Not long after college, I was an executive assistant in the publishing world. While I wouldn't hear the term "abundance mindset" until much later in life, I saw it in action working for Datwon Thomas at Harris Publishing. He was the first executive I saw that made time for so many people and believed there was room for everyone to win. He is very talented at helping people find their lane, and I have taken that with me as I've become a leader.