In celebration of the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s 11th Annual International Women’s Day Forum on March 5, we’re spotlighting inspiring women who are working to break barriers to pave a more equal, inclusive, and resilient future for women and girls around the world. Dr. Mekala Krishnan is a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI). In this role, she leads MGI’s research on gender economics, inclusive growth, and economic development.

In celebration of Black History Month and the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s 11th Annual International Women’s Day Forum on March 5, we’re spotlighting inspiring women who are working to break barriers to pave a more equal, inclusive, and resilient future for women and girls around the world. Alicia Hammond is a Gender Specialist with the World Bank’s Gender Group, where she serves as the lead on innovation and technology.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged every aspect of our daily lives and countless individuals and families around the world have—and continue to—suffer because of it. On January 18, we will honor the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, remembering those who fight for equality and dedicate themselves to making the world a better place. Given the events of 2020 through today, the National Day of Service reminds us that it’s more important than ever to give back and lift up our communities.

If this were Thanksgiving time in any other year, you would probably be traveling to join friends and family, or they would be traveling to see you.