Celebrating leadership in action: Noémie Plumridge named 2025 WiNN ‘Woman of the Year’

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day under the 2026 Global UN theme, Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls, we are proud to spotlight an outstanding leader within the Navitas community. Noémie Plumridge is the Director of Marketing and Admissions at International College Portsmouth (ICP), and recipient of the prestigious ‘Woman of the Year’ award at the 2025 Women in Navitas Network (WiNN) Annual Awards.

Noémie was honoured during the 2025 WiNN Annual Awards, a global celebration that recognises women across Navitas whose leadership, impact and influence elevates our organisation. The ‘Woman of the Year’ Award is presented to an exemplary leader who not only demonstrates exceptional professional excellence but also inspires others through authenticity, courage and commitment.

Noémie’s nominations described her as: “An exceptional, empowering leader whose vision, compassion, and transformative impact make her the heart and force behind ICP’s success.” 

Her leadership reflects the very essence of the 2026 IWD theme: taking meaningful action, advocating for fairness, and creating environments where all women and girls can thrive.

At ICP, Noémie is known for her ability to unite teams, champion bold ideas, and nurture a culture rooted in empathy and empowerment. In both her personal and professional spheres, she consistently “shows up, leans in, and inspires others to do the same,” embodying the values celebrated not only by WiNN but by women’s movements worldwide.

To mark International Women’s Day, we sat down with Noémie Plumridge for a special Q&A reflecting on her leadership journey and her vision for a more inclusive future.

Congratulations on being named WiNN’s 2025 ‘Woman of the Year’! What does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

Winning the ‘2025 Woman of the Year’ award means more to me than I can easily put into words. Personally, I feel incredibly grateful and genuinely humbled. Having seen the nominations and the stories of the women I was shortlisted alongside, I know just how much talent, resilience and fantastic leadership exists around me. To be recognised among such inspiring women was truly an honour.

Professionally, this recognition has been a real boost. It has strengthened my belief in the importance of empowering others, lifting one another up and continuing to push. I am surrounded by extraordinary women every day, and this award feels like a reflection of the collective strength, collaboration and support we share, so this really is not just an individual achievement.

Your colleagues describe you as an exceptional and empowering leader whose vision, compassion, and transformative impact has made you the heart and force behind ICP’s success. What principles guide your leadership style?

For me, leadership has never been about authority or hierarchy, it is about creating an environment where everyone feels confident to contribute, challenge ideas and bring their full selves to the table.

In a fast-paced and ever-evolving industry like ours, no single person can be on top of everything alone. Success depends on building a team culture where we rely on one another, share knowledge openly, and are not afraid to question or refine each other’s thinking. I actively encourage challenge, because respectful challenge strengthens ideas and drives better decisions.

Trust is also fundamental. I aim to empower my team by giving them ownership, clarity and the space to grow. When people feel trusted and supported, they perform at their best.

WiNN champions allyship, community, and women’s empowerment. What or who has helped you thrive in your own career, and what advice would you offer to women at earlier stages of their career?

I have been incredibly fortunate in my career journey. My first four managers were men who were genuine allies, leaders who actively championed equality and pushed boundaries to ensure I had opportunities to grow. They didn’t just support me; they empowered me, challenged me and created space for me to step forward.

Today, I continue to thrive working with an incredible manager who is a woman who walks the talk and empowers everyone else around her to be the best they can be! I am surrounded by an extraordinary team, particularly the women I work alongside every day. I am constantly inspired by their resilience, whether that is balancing motherhood and demanding careers, navigating difficult health challenges, or simply showing up with determination and strength in a fast-paced environment.

For women at earlier stages of their careers, my advice would be this: seek out environments and leaders who champion growth and inclusion. Don’t be afraid to take up space, to voice your ideas and to challenge respectfully. Confidence doesn’t always come first, sometimes courage does. I also always say to my team “good things happen to good people”, it always does!

And when you progress, remember to become that ally for others. Empowerment should never stop with us; it should continue through us.

Looking ahead, what actions (big or small) do you believe will make the greatest difference in advancing equity, opportunity and representation for women and girls globally?

As a mother of two young girls (aged 3 and 5) this is a big one for me. I am already doing all I can to ensure their inner voice tells them that there is nothing they cannot do – but we need the world around them to also shift.

We need to normalise women being heard, challenged and promoted based on their ability and potential. It means calling out bias when we see it, even when it feels uncomfortable. It means ensuring that flexibility in the workplace is not seen as a compromise, but as a strength that enables diverse talent to thrive.

Representation is also powerful. When women and girls can see leaders who look like them, speak like them, or share similar experiences, it expands what feels possible.