On 7th March, K2 celebrated International Women’s Day. For us, however, one day just wasn’t enough!
Keen to shine a spotlight on as many of the business’ wonderful women as possible, we developed a campaign titled The Women of X Annos, which refers to the K2 women who have been part of the K2 Family for ten years or more. This campaign features a series of written and video interviews through which we explore the personalities, the roles and the formative experiences of K2’s longest standing female employees. Today, we introduce you to Linda Rafferty, our passionate, determined and highly driven Global Head of Compliance and ESG.
What’s your name, your job title, and how long have you worked at K2?
My name is Linda Rafferty. I am K2’s Global Head of Compliance and ESG, and I have worked at the company for over 12 years – although I’ve never seen it as work.
As a member of the X Annos community, what motivates you to keep working at K2?
That’s easy: I love what I do. The people I work with aren’t colleagues; they’re family and there is nothing they can do about it!
What does gender inclusivity mean to you?
Gender inclusivity means creating a space where everyone feels valued, respected and free to be their authentic selves. It’s about celebrating diversity, breaking down stereotypes, and ensuring all voices are heard and appreciated – I always tell people in my onboarding training that you are not here to be wallpapered over. I like to think of gender inclusivity as a vibrant, all-inclusive party where everyone is invited, everyone’s dancing and no one has to hide who they are. It’s about being bold, open-minded and embracing the beautiful spectrum of human beings with open arms – now bring me another margarita!
What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership roles in the business world, based on your own experiences and insights?
Work hard like everyone else and be the best that you can be. Success won’t come to you because you are a woman; it will come to you because you are the best at what you do. Embrace your unique strengths and never underestimate what you are capable of. Don’t wait for permission to lead; step up and take ownership of your journey, your career. Seek out people who inspire you because they are great leaders. Build a strong network of supporters, remembering that collaboration is the key to success. Trust your instincts, rise to challenges, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Most importantly, believe in yourself: you have great power.
How has K2 supported your career growth over the last 10+ years?
K2 has been so incredibly supportive of my career growth, providing me with numerous opportunities to learn, develop and advance. From enabling me to access training programmes to providing mentorship opportunities and letting me take the reins on some really challenging projects, K2 has enabled me to expand my skillset and take on new responsibilities – always with support provided when it was needed. K2’s supportive culture has supported my continuous learning, and the business’ innovative spirit has played a key role in helping me grow – both personally and professionally. I am extremely grateful for the encouragement of colleagues from all over the world, who always cheer me on. I am proud of the wonderful things we do here at K2, and I recognise the huge value of the way in which the business empowers its employees to reach new career heights. I feel very blessed.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career journey, one which has led to a real sense of fulfilment for you?
There have been quite a few, but the ones that really stand out:
- Phil Hunt, Director of K2 Americas, dropping 2 ISO manuals on my desk, which in time, led to K2 achieving its first ISO certifications (in 2015). Achieving ISO 27001 was a particularly pivotal moment: this achievement was two years in the making – I remember cheering as the Auditor left and shedding a tear or two in pride.
- Achieving ISO accreditations in each of our offices globally, working with multiple different teams from a ‘from scratch’ starting point.
- Being asked to speak at the company’s global Kinetic Conference in Barcelona – I loved the experience and relished hearing people’s feedback afterwards.
- Taking on the Sustainability pillar of the company’s current strategic business plan, Kinetic.
- Helping to compile the company’s first and second Sustainability Reports.
- Achieving Silver through our first EcoVadis assessment and having Nick Plummer, K2’s CEO, cheer when I told him. Also, getting a round of applause at a Board Meeting and being told that with a silver medal we had exceeded expectations – it doesn’t get any better than that!
How do you think that K2 is challenging the Status Quo in the global mobility industry?
We are not like everyone else. I think that we think differently and act boldly: we are challenging the status quo by redefining what is possible. For us, it’s not about keeping up with change, but about driving it – pushing boundaries, embracing sustainability and focussing on evolution.
I would say that this is especially true when it comes to sustainability, an area in which we have set some great targets and challenges for ourselves. Our mantra: adapt, grow and change.
K2 is also unique in terms of service delivery, levels of compliance and our training programme. It is exciting to be part of a team who are not afraid to question and to disrupt, and who are committed to shaping a dynamic inclusive future for everyone.
What do you think the future would look like if we had more female leaders?
It would be more creative, plus there would be even greater empathy and collaboration – this would be the norm. Work-life balance would be something that is lived, understood and embraced. Decisions would be made with a mix of both heart and strategic thinking; diverse perspectives would be heard and considered; there would be inclusivity and creativity, and we would make unstoppable progress. The future would be bolder and brighter and filled with unlimited possibilities.
How can more companies foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for women?
Fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for women seems like it should be a simple thing to do, and yet in too many cases it just isn’t happening. Companies can make an impact by committing to actionable change. This means not just talking about diversity, but embedding it within the heart or the fabric of a company – looking at your culture and changing it if change is needed.
Companies can also champion mentorship programmes which empower women, they can ensure equal opportunities for growth, and they can actively challenge any biases. They can offer flexible working arrangements, advocate for work-life balance, and create environments in which everyone can thrive, both professionally and personally.
I feel that it all comes down to listening to people’s voices, valuing contributions, and ensuring equal representation at every level of decision-making. When companies invest in their people it creates a ripple effect: it drives commitment, inspires innovation, boosts morale, and builds a stronger, more dynamic business for everyone.
