When Women Speak Up: Gender, Whistleblowing and Retaliation

In this roundtable episode of the Great Women in Compliance Podcast, Lisa Fine and Ellen Hunt are joined by whistleblower attorney Mary Inman and Professor Kate Kenny from the University of Galway to explore what really happens when women speak up. Drawing on Professor Kenny’s decade-long research on whistleblowing—including recent work with Transparency International—the conversation examines why women whistleblowers often face greater challenges, which deter them from raising concerns or from deciding to leave a job, rather than speaking up. The discussion unpacks how gender stereotypes, gaslighting, and organizational culture shape how concerns are received, and why women are more likely to speak up when strong protections, anonymity, and collective reporting options are in place. Mary Inman adds a practitioner’s perspective, sharing what she sees in real cases and why many women choose to report together rather than go it alone. As Ethics and Compliance practitioners consider how to help people speak up, this episode challenges us to review our programs and make improvements to support anyone raising concerns.