With a theme of #balanceforbetter, and Neelam Sahota, CEO of not-for-profit DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, says it takes planning and confidence — and a little risk-taking for women professionals to take their equal place at the table. She was speaking an International Women’s Day gathering at DIVERSEcity’s Community Campus.

She’s always known her professional goals and never lost sight of those things, even when she took time away to focus on being a mother.

“For many women, especially for those where motherhood comes into the equation, we tend to hesitate and ask ourselves ‘Is it the right time for me?’ But there is no such thing as a perfect time,” said Sahota.

It’s up to women in leadership roles to share their story and empower professional women coming up in the ranks. She observed many women are not entirely sure of themselves so they tend to hold back in the workplace or job interviews because they’re not sure of the timing.

“But things don’t have to be exactly perfect to take a chance. It’s critical for women — and men —in positions of leadership to say, ‘Just go for it. You got this!’”