International Women’s Day 2026: The power of contribution

International Women’s Day 2026 centers on a powerful idea: Give To Gain.

When we give generously — our time, expertise, empathy, and support — we make big impacts, expand opportunities, and can build systems that work better for everyone.

Supporting women strengthens government technology

In government technology, that reciprocity is especially visible. Agencies operate under intense pressure: limited budgets, staffing shortages, aging systems, and rising resident expectations. Women in government technology and the public sector consistently bring their leadership and perspectives to these challenges, advancing progress — so people and partnerships gain confidence, momentum, and get results.

Giving empathy to gain momentum

Modernization is rarely just a technical project; it’s a task that requires teamwork, juggling resources, empathy, and creativity. For example, implementation teams often walk into environments where staff are already stretched thin.

As Liza Perkins, Team Lead of Implementations at PayIt, explains:

“[Agency staff] have a lot of priorities and really limited resources. And so when we come in to implement the PayIt platform for them, my goal is always to make it the smoothest, quickest implementation experience they’ve ever had. I feel pretty proud that now, our platform is able to meet so many different priorities and do that efficiently.”

She adds:

“I feel like we’ve always heard that resources are limited, so I don’t wanna make the project harder than it needs to be. Everybody is grappling with different tasks in their day-to-day, different battles that they might be going through. And so to just have a more empathetic ear toward what they might be dealing with, I think that goes a long way in a project.”

Liza has tapped into something powerful: Empathy is a strategic advantage in government modernization. When leaders give understanding, they gain trust, and trust accelerates transformation in government.

Giving clarity to gain sustainable progress

Innovation in government comes with real constraints: legacy systems, compliance requirements, cybersecurity concerns, and staffing gaps. Agencies are expected to deliver modern digital experiences while navigating systems that were designed decades ago.

Debbie Brannan, Client Success Director at PayIt, sees this tension every day:

“The biggest hurdle is balancing innovation with risk. Agencies want to modernize, but they’re constrained by legacy systems, staffing gaps, and valid concerns about data security and compliance. Many know what they want to do — it’s the how that gets murky. They are challenged with the growing expectation for ‘Amazon-like’ government; residents expect seamless, mobile-friendly experiences, but internal systems often aren’t built to deliver that yet. Bridging that gap requires not just technology, but cultural and process change as well.”

One of the most common frustrations she hears?

“A frequent frustration is ‘We don’t have the resources or time to modernize.’ Staff feel like they’re running in place just to keep daily operations running.”

How Debbie deals with these challenges reflects the spirit of Give To Gain:

“I help reframe modernization as a series of achievable steps, not an all-or-nothing project. Sometimes that means helping them prioritize quick wins that create breathing room: automating one payment service, digitizing a single form, or improving resident communication. Once they see results, momentum follows.”

By giving agencies clarity and manageable next steps, leaders gain forward motion. And as Debbie shares, the mindset matters:

“Don’t confuse motion with progress. In government and technology alike, it’s easy to chase activity that looks productive but doesn’t move the mission forward. I’ve learned to pause and ask, ‘Is this solving the real problem?’”

Giving perspective to gain connection

Shiny new tools are fun, but the platforms and processes we provide have one overarching goal: to make digital government services easier to use and access. Modernization is about people — residents, staff, and communities.

Alexis Fields, Senior Marketing Manager of Resident Communications at PayIt, emphasizes the power of meeting people where they are:

“I would say to agencies working through modernization, give yourself credit. The work that you do isn’t easy, and you’re balancing so many competing priorities. Every small step you take toward making services more accessible has a real impact on the residents that you serve. So those moments of progress really matter.”

Her guiding principle reflects the heart of Give To Gain:

“The best advice that I’ve ever gotten is to meet people where they are. I carry that into every project, whether communicating with residents, collaborating with agency partners, or working with colleagues. Taking the time to understand their perspective changes everything. It reminds me that communication isn’t just about pushing out information.”

When organizations create space for listening and understanding, they gain stronger relationships and better adoption. 

Giving partnership to gain confidence

Reciprocity doesn’t stop at internal leadership. It extends to partnerships built on responsiveness, accountability, and shared ownership.

Amy Lopez, Tax Collection Assistant for Cabarrus County, North Carolina, highlights the difference that a focused partnership makes:

“Everybody at PayIt is really helpful, quick to respond, and we always know exactly who to contact. The previous vendor was a much larger company, so getting a hold of anyone was so much more of a chore. With PayIt, we have a specific person to work with — it’s just a lot easier.”

Mavis Thompson, License Collector for the City of St. Louis, Missouri, echoes that experience:

“Working with the PayIt team has been a wonderful experience. I would recommend PayIt to all entities looking to enhance their online presence — especially with reconciliations and distribution of funds.”

And the impact extends to residents:

“Customers sing its praises — they love it,” reports Rachel McClure, Collector of Revenue, City of St. Louis, Missouri.

When agencies are supported by partners who give responsiveness and expertise, they gain confidence with each success.

When women thrive, government thrives

We’re proud of the women at PayIt and the women we work with in government. They show up each day with determination and generosity that propel us all forward. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who give their expertise, leadership, and heart to public service every day.