International Women’s Day 2025 Conversations: Tracy Grazioli

 

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025: A Conversation with Head of Business Development and Strategy at tc east, Tracy Grazioli

As part of our International Women’s Day series, we had the privilege of interviewing Tracy Grazioli, Head of Business Development and Strategy at TC East (Letchworth, Cambridge & Huntingdon offices), to gain insight into her experiences and thoughts on this important day.

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally and professionally?

Personally, International Women’s Day is a reminder of the women who have dedicated their lives to creating change.

Professionally, it serves as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of self-respect and respect for others. It’s a day to uplift, advocate for women, and celebrate their achievements, while also encouraging everyone to pursue their professional goals.

 

What challenges have you faced as a woman in a leadership role, and how have you overcome them?

I’ve definitely had my share of challenges. I can remember one particular time when a member of my team constantly undermined me, questioning my ideas and making me second-guess myself. It was tough—it started to affect my confidence and even made me anxious about speaking up.

But I realised something important: I couldn’t change his behaviour, but I could control my response. So, I stayed composed and focused on collaboration. I reached out to him for joint projects, which helped build trust over time. Eventually, we developed a mutual respect for each other, and it taught me a valuable lesson, the way you respond can often be the key to overcoming challenges.

 

What advice would you give to women looking to build a successful career, especially those aiming for leadership roles in their field?

Step outside your comfort zone. It’s so easy to stay in the familiar, but true growth happens when you push yourself. Whether it’s traveling to new places to learn about different cultures, embracing every learning opportunity, or simply staying positive about the changes that come your way—embrace it all.

And don’t let anyone, no matter who they are, tell you what you can or can’t achieve. Age, background, or past experiences don’t define your future, you do!

 

How can we inspire and support the next generation of female leaders and innovators?

One of the most important things we can do is support each other. I recently spoke with a female founder at a Founders Live Cambridge event who shared how investor feedback often felt more discouraging than constructive. It had a real impact on her confidence and made decision-making more difficult.

This reminded me how crucial it is to give feedback that is both honest and helpful, without being dismissive. By offering constructive advice and genuinely listening, we can create a more supportive environment that empowers the next generation of women to take bold steps in their careers.

 

Written by Tracy Grazioli

 

Want to read more?

Visit our other IWD 2025 blogs below from Marie Pegram and Laura Hughes.

Rewriting the narrative

Conversations with Laura Hughes

 

To read more about this year’s International Women’s Day theme, click on the link here.