Most people would agree that giving shouldn’t really be transactional. But even when we’re not giving with the expectation of a return, there are natural gains that follow. 

What does “give to gain” mean to you?

Chika-James: Intentionally offering my skills, knowledge, care and time to others in ways that help build a better society. It goes beyond passive support and becomes a deliberate commitment to contribute every day – by listening, sharing, mentoring and supporting others. 

Harcombe: As leaders in our fields, we have a responsibility to the young women who are trying to find their places in the world – to give our time as mentors, set strong examples and amplify women’s voices. By giving of our time and influence, we can lift up the next generation of thinkers and leaders as we work towards gender equality.

Holland: “Give to gain” aptly highlights two key feminist issues. First, some people and groups are better positioned to give than others. Second, the resources we can share are varied and hybrid: they’re intellectual, financial and interpersonal. Meaningful change requires effort and time. 

McClelland: When one woman thrives, she pulls others with her, creating strong teams, healthy institutions and a brighter future for our daughters, sisters and nieces. Too often, women can fall into a zero-sum mindset, tearing each other down or entertaining toxicity. But giving recognition and support doesn’t diminish us; it multiplies us all.  

Paradis: It's very rewarding to watch women find their voice and interests and learn to take up space. Helping women to tell their stories gives me the time to reflect on my work, and the changing role of women in the workplace. 

ZagRoss: As a lawyer practicing in Edmonton, including in matters involving gender-based violence and human rights, I see how access to justice depends on those willing to give, through careful advocacy, rigorous legal drafting and standing beside clients whose voices have historically been minimized. Giving, in that sense, is not charity; it is an ethical obligation embedded in the rule of law. And the gain is not personal recognition. It is witnessing resilience and seeing empowerment replace fear. 

A mentor who has given of themselves in a way that was particularly meaningful?

Chika-James: First and foremost, my mother, who taught me the values of hard work, compassion and perseverance. My husband, who encourages me to believe in my abilities and to aspire to take on leadership roles. And distinguished scholars, such as Professor Emmanuel Ogbonna, my PhD advisor, and Professor Julian Gould-Williams, teaching mentor, whose leadership in the field of management have been deeply inspiring. Each of these individuals continues to shape my commitment to supporting and mentoring others.

Harcombe: My PhD advisor is a scientist, strong leader, compassionate administrator, mother, wife, daughter and genuinely wonderful person. She showed me, by setting a powerful example, what was possible for me as a woman in science, and my own career has been profoundly impacted by that example early in my training as a scientist and academic. I don't think I would be where I am now without her support.

Holland: As a master’s student, I took a course on censorship taught by a professor who’d recently finished her terms as the first woman dean of arts at that university. When the course ended, I held my breath and sent her an email, asking if she’d supervise my thesis on Virginia Woolf or if I could join her ongoing research project on the history of women’s writing. She agreed to both. I learned, then, about academic generosity and the opening of doors.

McClelland: My grandmothers – one with a Grade 7 education and the other who earned a teaching credential in the late 1930s – were smart and fierce pillars who fed neighbours, cared for the vulnerable and became elders to entire communities. My mother carried this forward as an inner-city social worker in Edmonton, showing up consistently for people in unimaginable hardship. They taught me that giving is steady, often quiet and rooted in believing that every person matters. 

Paradis: Lucille Mazo was a professor at MacEwan for several decades. Her teaching and support were a steadying influence on me. Back when I was a student, she was my workplace learning advisor. She helped me to navigate a new job and a world I didn't really understand. The sound of heels clicking quickly down a hallway still reminds me of her.

ZagRoss: Throughout my academic and professional journey across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Canada, I was fortunate to learn from mentors who offered more than instruction; they modelled intellectual generosity. What left the deepest impression was their intentional investment, rigorous feedback, candid critique and encouragement in moments of doubt. They showed that intellectual excellence and humility can coexist. I came to see mentorship as a form of ethical giving: it multiplies impact and transmits not only knowledge, but professional ethos.

How do you give to support gender equality?

Chika-James: I have given financially, supported those who are grieving and intentionally encouraged other women to pursue their goals and aspirations. What have I gained? I have seen the impact of that giving – colleagues who thrive in their roles, students who have excelled and carried that success into the work environment, and children who grow into disciplined, compassionate individuals who contribute positively to their own communities.

Harcombe: The image of a scientist portrayed in society is not one that many of the young women I interact with can see themselves fitting into. So, I think the most valuable thing I can give is my time, through one-on-one mentorship of student researchers, providing guidance and coaching to junior academics, supporting and amplifying organizations that support women in STEM, and sharing my own story as a female scientist in a leadership role. The more young female scientists see themselves as valuable members of the scientific community, the more they will persist in STEM careers.

Holland: Educating students in and about our world is a vital part of my involvement in gender issues. Students care about gender as a cultural force. They see its impact in their lives and often use their in-course learning as springboards for research assistantships, community work and new studies on their own paths. Supporting them, as they move forward, is one of the most exciting things I do. 

McClelland: I’m driven to build a culture where women needn’t choose between ambition and wellbeing, where uplifting another is an investment in us all. I champion women’s professional development at every turn and encourage sharing at forums, mentoring pairs or continuous learning. I also share my own experience, act as a sounding board, push women into stretch roles and deliver very candid feedback. 

Paradis: Journalism was traditionally very male-dominated, although that has changed. I mentor young women both through my work at the university and with organizations like Intervivos. Often, young women are trying to understand how they “fit” into a space – in a world that was not built for them. In my classes, I focus a lot on women writers and the ways that women, especially Indigenous women, structure stories, and the ways in which they have changed the world through their work. It takes fearless women to change the world. 

ZagRoss: As a lawyer, giving means using legal tools responsibly to reduce power asymmetries. I see how transformative it is when someone feels heard and believed. To me, teaching is one of the most scalable forms of giving. My students are future decision-makers and leaders in corporations and institutions. If they understand equality not as compliance or just a legal checkbox, but as a structural responsibility and a foundational principle that shapes future workplaces, the impact extends far beyond the classroom.

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MacEwan University is a diverse community with 2,528 faculty and staff supporting almost 19,000 students. We are proud of our more than 90,000 alumni in communities across Canada and around the world. We could only fit six voices into this piece, but we invite you to join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.