Interview: Victorinox’s Gloria Dix on inspiring inclusion
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As a woman, a mother and a leader within her company, Victorinox Head of Global Travel Retail & Fragrance Sales Gloria Dix holds this year’s International Women’s Day theme #inpsireinclusion close to her heart. Since taking over the travel retail leadership role, Dix has been a strong supporter of diversity, inclusion and equality, not just within Victorinox but in the wider travel retail community too.
For example, Dix not only attends important DE&I events such as She’s the Negotiator and Women in Business meetings, but also encourages her employees to do the same. This, she believes, will help the wider industry “collectively contribute to a stronger, more diverse, and more resilient” workforce.
Dix discusses the concrete ways she is inspiring inclusion in her day-to-day life and shares her keen insights into what the travel retail industry can do to better invest in women, accelerate progress and ensure a more equitable future for all.
Victorinox Head of Global Travel Retail & Fragrance Sales Gloria Dix
“For me, inspiring inclusion means fairness and openness across the company at all levels.”
What does the IWD theme #inspireinclusion mean to you? How are you inspiring inclusion in your day-to-day life and with your role at Victorinox?
This year’s theme is one that resonates deeply with me. It encapsulates the essence of celebrating diversity, empowerment and equality for women across the globe.
I aim to inspire inclusion in my personal and professional life via a number of ways.
First, by encouraging women to take on leadership roles and participate in decision-making processes. Within our team, several women have taken maternity leave to focus on their growing families and each one has expressed a strong desire to return to their managerial roles. Their commitment and resilience are a powerful example of balancing personal and professional aspirations.
Secondly, by ensuring that women from diverse backgrounds are represented in our teams. Across all departments and regions, we are fortunate to have women contributing and making a difference.
Thirdly, by supporting the growth and development of all colleagues, regardless of gender, while acknowledging that the path to success can be more challenging for women, particularly when they become mothers.
Fourth, by facilitating access to quality education and training opportunities for women. I consistently strive to lift others up and include my team members. One avenue through which I actively promote this is by participating in women’s leadership events, such as She’s the Negotiator and Women in Business meetings. These gatherings serve as valuable platforms for learning, networking and empowerment. Not only do I attend these events myself, but I also encourage my female colleagues to join me. By doing so, we collectively contribute to a stronger, more diverse, and more resilient professional community.
For me, inspiring inclusion means fairness and openness across the company at all levels. At Victorinox, there’s never the feeling of a strong hierarchy in the office. Our CEO’s door is always open for everyone – his office could be any other person’s; he doesn’t separate himself from the rest of his employees.
Dix often takes her team on various team-building excursions to foster a supportive and nurturing work environment
As a family-owned company, how is Victorinox supporting its female workforce to balance work, life and everything in between?
Family is about everyone. It’s not about putting people into groups of mothers/non mothers but allowing everyone to have the same flexibility based on their situational needs and their respective roles. Victorinox understands that time outside of work, time with family, is an important part of anyone’s life and allows employees to take ownership of their responsibilities. Flexible working plays a key role in this.
Women have always been recognised at Victorinox. In fact, our company name is derived from the name Victoria, who was the mother of Karl Elsener, the inventor of the Swiss Army Knife. Victoria supported her son greatly in his pursuit of creating a local cutler’s workshop so the company name was dedicated to her and INOX steel, which revolutionised the cutlery industry.
How important is visibility and recognition in promoting a fair and equitable workplace?
In our organisation, we’ve been fortunate to witness the contributions of talented individuals – from all genders – across various regions and departments.
We recognise the special challenges that women may face, especially when balancing professional roles with motherhood. As a result, I actively monitor and support their journey, ensuring that opportunities remain equitable.
Additionally, I participate in women’s leadership events, inviting my team and colleagues to join me. By fostering visibility, recognition and inclusion, we all contribute to a fair and empowering workplace.
“Victorinox understands that time outside of work, time with family, is an important part of anyone’s life and allows employees to take ownership of their responsibilities.”
How can the travel retail industry better evolve to become a fairer and more equitable industry?
As someone who is deeply invested in the travel retail industry, I believe that fostering fairness and equity is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity. Here are my recommendations for its evolution:
I believe the industry needs to come together to actively promote diversity at all levels – whether it’s gender, ethnicity or background. By ensuring diverse representation in leadership positions, we create an environment where different perspectives thrive.
We need to organise regular training programmes that can sensitise our workforce to unconscious biases and foster empathy. Let’s educate ourselves and our teams about the importance of equity.
The industry needs to recognise that life circumstances vary and offer flexible work arrangements, especially for working parents, to ensure a level playing field.
Dix took her team to the She’s the Negotiator event as both a bonding exercise and an opportunity to upskill
We need to collaborate with women’s organisations to address specific challenges faced by women in the industry and contribute to broader gender equality goals.
We also need to establish mentorship programmes to connect experienced professionals with women seeking guidance in their careers and promote inclusive networking events. This is similar to the important work done by Women in Travel Retail (WiTR), which fosters meaningful professional connections and cultivates a supportive community.
Travel retail needs to ensure that women are adequately represented in decision-making roles and corporate boards. Also, the industry needs to establish diversity goals and track progress toward achieving them. Finally, we need to ensure that marketing materials, campaigns and brand representation reflect gender diversity and inclusivity.
“By fostering visibility, recognition and inclusion, we all contribute to a fair and empowering workplace.”
As a mother herself, Dix understands the need to balance professional and personal aspirations
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The Moodie Davitt eZine Issue 332 | 8 March 2024
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