Every year on March 8, people around the world come together to celebrate International Women’s Day, a global recognition of women’s achievements and an ongoing call to action for gender equality. This year’s official theme, Give to Gain, highlights the power of generosity, reciprocity, and support as catalysts for lasting progress.
According to the International Women’s Day organization, “Give To Gain emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support… when people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase.”
At Opteon, this ethos resonates deeply with who we are. Since our beginning in 2005, our company has been built on innovation, connection, and a shared commitment to investing in people. Our story spans continents, but the heart of our work remains constant: valuing expertise, elevating others, and making our industry stronger through collaboration.
Our mission to provide value through trusted advice, insights, and solutions, along with our vision to be the leading independent global property solutions provider powered by innovation and technology, is made possible only because of the remarkable individuals who shape our culture every day. Many of those individuals are women whose leadership, mentorship, courage, and compassion make Opteon a better place to work and a stronger partner to our customers.
Today, we celebrate a few of the many extraordinary women across Opteon who embody Give to Gain in action.
Maria Berto, AAPI CPV, General Manager, US Professional Services
“For me, ‘give to gain’ is about listening and engaging with what someone needs, not just answering the question they asked. It’s about taking the time to understand what’s really going on and supporting them in a way that makes them feel heard. When you genuinely invest in someone else, something good comes back, not always directly, but it does.”
Maria’s words reinforce a principle at the core of our values—Be Connected—reminding us that true leadership begins with empathy.
Nichole Enoch, EVP – Product & Customer Success, Jaro
“When we show up as our authentic selves, we give others the space and courage to break barriers on their own terms. From the comeback of Olympic champion Alysa Liu to the bold leadership of Whitney Wolfe Herd and Sara Blakely, women in sports and business are shattering glass ceilings — proving that when we give authentically, we inspire others to rise and do the same.”
Nichole reflects our value of Have Courage, celebrating the ripple effect created when women lead with authenticity and strength.
Natalie Tucker, SVP of Learning & Development
“As SVP of Learning & Development at Opteon, Give to Gain means investing time, knowledge, and support into others so they can succeed. Sometimes I joke that my job is ‘to make everyone else better at theirs.’ What I mean by that is by aligning best practice to organizational strategy, creating rich and engaging programming, and removing barriers to success each Opteon employee can thrive in an environment where everyone can do their best work.”
Natalie’s work embodies our commitment to Strive for Excellence and demonstrates how investing in people strengthens our entire organization.
Ginger Smith, MNAA, Area Manager & Appraiser Development
“As a Mentor Appraiser with nearly 30 years in the industry, some of the most meaningful moments of my career have come from personally mentoring women entering the appraisal profession. In an industry where female representation has not always been strong, I believe it is both a responsibility and a privilege to help open doors, build confidence, and create pathways for long-term success. ‘Give to Gain’ reflects what I have experienced firsthand — when we invest our time, knowledge, and encouragement into other women, we not only elevate their careers, we strengthen the entire profession. Watching the women I have mentored grow into capable, confident professionals has been one of the most rewarding and defining honors of my career.”
Ginger’s dedication is a powerful expression of Act with Integrity and a reminder of the impact one leader can have on generations of professionals.
Summer Beckham, Area Manager
“As an Area Manager leading a team of appraisers and mentoring trainees, I Give to Gain by supporting their development through clear guidance, shared knowledge, and opportunities to build their skills. To me, reciprocity means showing up for others in the way we expect them to show up for us, fostering steady confidence and shared progress. When we invest in one another’s growth, it strengthens our team as a whole.”
Summer’s steady, supportive leadership reflects our commitment to Make It Safe and shows how fostering clarity and confidence strengthens the entire team.
Laura Bourland, Director of Marketing
“In my role, I anchor our work in connection, clear communication, and transparency. When we share openly and listen well, trust grows, relationships deepen, and our teams are equipped to do their best work.”
Laura’s commitment to connection reflects the value of Be Connected and demonstrates how transparent, honest communication strengthens trust, elevates collaboration, and supports high‑performing teams across Opteon.
Honoring the Women Who Shape Our Future
International Women’s Day calls us to participate in the spirit of giving back through mentorship, visibility, advocacy, and opportunity as we work together to create a more equitable world. As the International Women’s Day campaign highlights, giving is not a subtraction but “intentional multiplication,” which creates a ripple effect that benefits entire communities.
At Opteon, we are deeply grateful for the women across our organization who lead, innovate, inspire, and challenge us to grow. Their contributions help us live our values of Make it Safe, Have Courage, Strive for Excellence, Act with Integrity, and Be Connected. Their influence moves us closer to the world we want to build.
Today and every day, we celebrate you. Thank you for the impact you make on Opteon and the people we serve.
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