How Women Leading in the Detroit Region are Setting Boundaries in the Workplace

For nearly a decade, the Detroit Regional Chamber has invited members and industry leaders to celebrate International Women’s Day through a luncheon, immersive experiences, speakers, and networking.

When to Say ‘Yes’ to Opportunities …  

Kicking off the conversation during the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration, the panelists shared how they decide which opportunities to mentor others in that they can commit to and are willing to invest time in. The women shared the commonality of always wanting to say “yes,” and discussed how they set boundaries. 

“I’ve learned in the last year to be a little more discerning. So, if it’s someone seeking mentorship, I’m actually looking to determine whether he or she is willing to invest in themselves,” Albert said. “[If] they’re not willing to do the work, I can’t do it for them.” 

“We always want to have the biggest and best impact…. ‘How is this supporting the most vulnerable?’ That’s always a question at the core of the work that we do,” Dinaro explained. “At [New Economy Initiative], we understand that intelligence and ideas are distributed equally, but opportunity is not, and access to capital, access to opportunity is not distributed equally.” 

“When I get requests, I think, ‘Am I the best person to actually be a mentor to them?’” Hollins said. “Oftentimes I’m sending people in a better direction … because people will sometimes ask you to be a mentor because of your title, or they connect with you on a personal level … that doesn’t actually mean it’s the right mentor for you.” 

“One of the things that I’ve learned is that when you say yes to something, you’re saying no to something else,” Saifuddin said. “When somebody usually invites me on, I ask them … ‘What kind of talents are you looking for?’ … Because we might not be the right fit, but we know somebody that would be the right fit.”

… And How to Unapologetically Say ‘No’ 

Although it can be hard to say no, sometimes it’s necessary. McDonald also asked the panelists to explain what it looks like for these leaders to say no without an apology.  

“I will reiterate for everyone in the room that ‘No.’ is a complete sentence. As long as you treat people with respect, and I like to offer context as well,” Albert highlights. “So I can say ‘No, that’s not something we’re able to do or I’m able to do right now, but let me connect you to someone else that might be able to take you through the next step.” 

“It took me a long time to learn how to say no, but for me, I had to prioritize,” Dinaro said. “So I have three priorities…my work and my career, my family, and then my own personal health. So I always look at it over the long term. I can’t do everything.” 

“Especially when you’re young … you want to take on everything because you feel like you need experience and exposure,” Hollins said. “What I learned is that sometimes saying yes to the wrong thing, it could be just as bad. The sun, it can either dull or suit or it can make you shine. That’s really important to being intentional about what opportunities you’re taking and the timing.”   

“One thing that I’ve realized is us saying no. It’s okay to take care of yourself,” Saifuddin said. “I don’t think as women we give ourselves enough grace … it’s okay to put ourselves first. When I say no … I try to get an understanding of what they’re trying to accomplish … figure out where it is that we can get the resources that they need.”

Everyone Should Embrace These Parting Words 

As the conversation came to a close, each panelist highlighted one thing each woman in the room should carry throughout their professional and personal journeys. 

“There is a force within each of us. Each of us has a super power, and we have to be intentional and spend some time with ourselves to … figure out what that is,” Albert said. “There’s something in you, and there’s someone watching you that sees exactly what you have to give.”  

“Women are the drivers of the world, and women are the ones who are going to get things done,” Dinaro said. “Find these young girls, encourage them to do everything and anything they want, and really support other women.  

“Make no small plans … and having the audacity to say I belong here, and I deserve this next level role,” Hollins said. “Sometimes it can be a little awkward to some people … but having an audacity to go after things that, you know, many people don’t think you can do, you will always surprise yourself.  

“You don’t need to wait until you’ve balanced everything and figured everything out or you’re perfect, you are enough exactly this moment in time,” Saifuddin said. “So, take your greatness and share it with the world.”