Climbing the Ladder: Lessons from Two Panels of Inspiring Women in the Incentives and Loyalty Industry
Over the past week, we’ve been privileged to host two powerful panel discussions with six trailblazing women from the incentives and loyalty industry. Together, they shared their stories, struggles, and hard‑earned wisdom about career progression, personal growth, and making an impact as a woman in a challenging industry.
Meet Our Panelists
Debbie Ghillion (The Incentive Company) – Founder & Chief Happiness Officer, with 32 years in the incentives industry across South Africa and the UK.
Anaëlle Guedj (OnePrepaid) – Chief of Staff with a rich background in education and operational leadership, passionate about making an impact.
Kathy Heath (Healthy Minds Club) – Serial entrepreneur, founder of award‑winning wellness platforms, and passionate advocate for mental and financial well‑being.
Rocío Liébana (RLC Solutions) – Founder & Managing Director, expert in gift cards and incentives across 17 EU markets.
Marie Trivino (Founder, Gift Card & Loyalty Consultant) – Former global gift card lead at Carrefour and Zalando, now advising brands and retailers across Europe.
Manon Niesten (Yesty) – COO of Yesty, a global incentives platform, passionate about building strong connections and tackling data quality in market research.
Challenges as a Woman in the Industry
Both panels spoke openly about the unique hurdles women face:
The pressure and stigma around parenthood and career advancement.
Navigating male‑dominated spaces where ideas can be overlooked.
The challenge of finding role models when women leaders were scarce.
“Women have to learn to advocate for themselves and verbalize their goals. Let people know where you want to go,” said Manon.
Rocío added how vital it is for leaders to believe in and uplift their female teammates.
The Power of Mentorship and Connection
Each panelist emphasized the importance of finding mentors and role models.
Manon shared how joining a female leadership program introduced her to mentors who shaped her path.
“Mentorship is a way to gain clarity and build confidence, especially when you feel stuck,” added Marie.
Kathy spoke about finding a “buddy” at work — someone to provide honest feedback and help you stay grounded.
Career Advancement Strategies
Several actionable tips surfaced across both panels:
✅ Say yes and grow into the role — Accept opportunities, even when you don’t feel fully ready.
✅ Create your own role — Identify gaps and pitch how you can fill them.
✅ Make your aspirations clear — Verbalize your goals and seek feedback and support.
✅ Prioritize both personal and professional growth — Design a life and career aligned with your values.
“Joy is the goal — define success on your terms,” one panelist shared.
Making the Leap and Designing Your Life
Some of the best moments came when panelists spoke about making bold moves:
Manon’s goal is to lead Yesty to become the global leader in market research incentives by 2035.
Marie shared her vision for launching a teaching and consulting platform in Lisbon.
Rocío spoke about focusing on transforming startups into scale‑ups and aligning with strategic investors.
“Success is a journey of learning and growth, not a fixed destination,” said one panelist — reminding us that every step we take is an opportunity for reinvention and resilience.
Final Thoughts
What came across clearly in both sessions is this: careers aren’t linear, and moments of doubt or setback can be the springboards for the biggest breakthroughs. What separates those who climb the ladder from those who stay put is a mix of courage, resilience, and a willingness to learn from every experience.
Thank you to all our panelists for sharing their stories and making these conversations open and impactful. We hope it inspires every woman in the incentives and loyalty space to claim her place at the table, pursue opportunities fearlessly, and design a career that’s as rewarding as it is impactful.