This letter from Ramona Aubry is part of Pavilion’s International Women’s Day 2025 collection, where the women of Pavilion share heartfelt letters to their younger selves. Through these reflections, they explore the lessons, challenges, and defining moments that have shaped their careers. Read more inspiring stories here.
Dear Ramona,
There are ten lessons you must learn—some the hard way, some through quiet reflection—but each will shape you into the woman you are meant to become. Read them, remember them, and when life tests you, hold them close.
1. Experience comes with tears and sacrifice, but it’s the most important lesson in life.
You will struggle. You will question if it’s worth it. It is. Every setback, every sleepless night, and every disappointment is teaching you something invaluable. Growth isn’t painless, but it’s always worth it.
2. A professor once told me: "If you are a woman and you are beautiful and intelligent, nobody will forgive you for that."
You will be underestimated, dismissed, and even resented—simply for being who you are. Let them be uncomfortable. You don’t exist to make others feel secure.
3. It’s rare to make friends at work.
You may find allies, but true friendships? They’re rare. Work is a place of shifting priorities, competition, and politics. Keep your heart open, but your expectations measured.
4. Don’t strive for perfection, strive for consistency.
Perfection is a lie that will drain you. Consistency, however, will build you. Show up, do the work, and grow steadily—this is how success is truly made.
5. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t deserve to be there.
People will try to make you doubt yourself. Do not let them. You are in the room because you earned it, and that’s the only validation you will ever need.
6. Live more and worry less.
Nobody is thinking about you as much as you think they are. That embarrassing moment? Forgotten. That mistake? Irrelevant now. Let go of the worry—it’s stealing time you’ll never get back.
7. Don’t mistake your job for your family.
Your job will replace you in a week if you leave. Your family, your real support system, will not. Keep your priorities straight.
8. Don’t let men make you feel less capable because you are a mom.
Motherhood doesn’t make you weaker—it makes you a powerhouse. Your ability to multitask, empathize, and problem-solve will be your greatest leadership strength. Never let anyone make you feel otherwise.
9. Your mental health will not make your company a better company.
Sacrificing yourself for work will never be rewarded the way you think it will. Protect your peace—no title is worth losing yourself.
10. Never let people abuse you or put you in a corner because you made a mistake.
You will fail, and that’s okay. True leaders embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. If someone shames you for a misstep, they are not a real leader.
These are the ten lessons that will define your journey. You will forget some, and life will remind you. You will doubt some, and experience will prove them true. But above all, know this—you are more than enough.
With strength and love,
Your Older, Wiser Self 💙
The Women of Pavilion Community is a dynamic subcommunity of Pavilion dedicated to fostering belonging, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth for women in go-to-market. Led by Anne Pao, Founder and CEO of Ignite Consulting, and Lindsay Tjepkema, Founder and CEO of Human Brands Win, this group empowers members to break barriers, advocate for themselves authentically, and advance both personally and professionally through curated content, exclusive events, and a supportive network.
Curious to learn more? Explore Pavilion membership.
