To celebrate International Women’s Day, we sat down with Claire Chalmers, Chief Revenue Officer at Nutritics, to discuss her journey as a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry. We sat down with Claire to discuss leadership, confidence, and work-life balance – from overcoming challenges to the power of mentorship.

WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED AS A FEMALE LEADER?

As of November 2024, sales remained a heavily male-dominated industry, with men accounting for 68.4% of all sales professionals. Like many women in the field, Claire had encountered her share of bias throughout her career. “I think I have suffered from prejudice quite a lot over my career,” she explained.

She often found that her achievements were questioned rather than celebrated, with people attributing her success to either her age or gender. Another challenge was managing the perception of emotion in leadership: “I’m really conscious of not coming across as ‘too emotional’ in conversations.”

While male leaders were often praised for their passion, Claire noted that women could face scrutiny for expressing strong emotions. However, she had learned to navigate these biases while staying true to herself and her leadership style.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN ASPIRING TO LEADERSHIP?

Imposter syndrome was something many women experienced, and Claire acknowledged that it never fully disappears: “You realise over time that you’re way better than you thought you were.”

Women need to hold onto moments of confidence—those times when they recognise their expertise and value in a room full of peers—as a way to overcome self-doubt. She also stressed the importance of stepping into leadership roles with conviction.

“At first, you may wonder if you’ll be respected. But once you show competence and build trust, the relationship changes.” Rather than waiting for validation, Claire believes women should demonstrate their abilities, take initiative, and establish themselves as strong leaders in their roles.

HOW DID YOU PROGRESS IN YOUR CAREER?

Claire attributes her career growth to a combination of ambition, timing, and a proactive approach. Early in her career, she took on additional responsibilities beyond her day to day role to prove her leadership potential: “I got involved in everything, it helped me to stand out as a key employee.”

She also recognised that career advancement can often depend on being in the right place at the right time. However, she emphasised that if an opportunity isn’t available in one company, seeking it elsewhere is always an option. “If the opportunity wasn’t right there, I would have gone somewhere else to take that next step”, highlighting the importance of working in an environment that fosters growth and recognises talent. 

Beyond ambition and opportunity, Claire believes in continuously learning and leaning on others for support. She values having had strong female role models, even if they were in different roles or industries: “I have trusted confidants like Catherine Marshall, whom I can turn to for guidance and honest conversations”. 

She has also made a point to challenge herself to stay open to new approaches: “It’s okay to make mistakes and to change course as you grow.” While she hasn’t taken formal leadership courses she regularly reads books on psychology to identify areas of improvement and refine her leadership skills by evolving and developing new perspectives. 

HOW IMPORTANT IS MENTORSHIP FOR WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP?

Mentorship has played a vital role in her career, and she believes it is key to helping more women advance in leadership. Although she is a woman in leadership, many of Claire’s mentors through her career have been men, offering valuable perspectives on leadership and decision making. She also highlighted the importance of having strong female role models. 

“Having a safe space to offload and seek guidance is crucial.” She credits a former female CRO as a major influence – someone who defied traditional leadership expectations and actively supported women in the business. Having access to mentors no matter the gender, provides guidance, reassurance and insights that can make a significant difference in career growth. 

HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE?

Rather than subscribing to the hustle culture that praises long hours, personal wellbeing should be prioritised: “I don’t believe in working yourself to the bone.” She makes a conscious effort to carve out time for rest, exercise, and mental well-being, adjusting her workload as needed. 

“Some weeks require long hours and travel but I make sure to balance that with quieter weeks.” For her, maintaining a balance between work and personal life is not just about efficiency – it’s about sustaining longterm success. By prioritising health and setting boundaries, she believes leaders can perform at their best without the risk of burnout. 

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR MORE WOMEN TO REACH LEADERSHIP POSTITIONS?

Claire is a huge advocate for increasing female representation in leadership: “We have to support each other massively.” Women in leadership roles have a responsibility to pave the way for others, whether through mentorship, advocacy or creating opportunities for the next generation of female leaders. 

By working hard, embracing confidence, seeking mentorship and prioritising well-being, Claire’s career is a testament to resilience and leadership. Her advice to aspiring leaders? “Don’t be afraid to – you are worthy of that next step!”