What are the challenges slowing women's economic empowerment and how can women and men work together to overcome them? YW Boston's LeadBoston program is excited to invite you to our Women's Economic Empowerment Forum.
 
The forum will provide the opportunity for leaders and decision-makers concerned with increasing economic opportunities for women to hear the challenges faced by women beyond issues of work-life balance and to engage with their peers across sectors on possible systemic solutions. Don't miss out on this chance to explore concrete ways to make a meaningful difference for working women.
 
Moderator:

• Valerie Mosley, Chairwoman, Valmo Ventures

 
Featured Panelists:

• Iris Bohnet, Academic Dean, Harvard Kennedy School; Professor of Public Policy
• Diane Hessan, Chairman, Communispace
• Cathy E. Minehan, Dean of School of Management, Simmons College

RSVP to Laura, lravinder@ywboston.org

Did you know that corporations that have women serving on their boards of directors have seen better financial results than those who do not?

Barbara Krumsiek, Chair, President and CEO of Calvert Investments, Inc. presents "The Business Case for Women on Corporate Boards." 

Ms. Krumsiek will share her own experiences as well as current research on this important topic. You will learn the financial impacts of choosing to appoint women to boards and how companies without women board members may lose a competitive edge. And, European regulations that require a minimum number of women on their boards may put American companies at a disadvantage against their European competitors. Find out what your company can do to regain its advantage.

Once you understand the financial implications of bringing women to your boardroom, you will want to know where to find qualified women.  The Leadership Foundry, which was created by Women in Technology, prepares women to serve on corporate boards in the Washington, DC area.  Before the program closes, Jill Bruning, General Manager of Global Security Services at URS, will share her experience of how The Leadership Foundry helped prepare her for her current role, which includes serving on boards of subsidiary companies.
 
There is networking before and after the presentation and the registration fee includes wine, beverages and hors d’oeuvres.
 
For more information and to register: CLICK HERE

Women negotiating for career rewards face a dilemma: they must weigh the benefits of negotiating against the social consequences of having negotiated. This highly focused program, offered for the very first time, is designed to help women develop individual strategies for improving both their negotiation and social outcomes in career negotiations.
 
REGISTER NOW
 
It will also focus on ways that leaders, both male and female, can better advise female colleagues in their career negotiations and help address their own organizational barriers to women’s career negotiations. More specifically you will explore how to:

• Develop strategies for self-advocating and for career rewards and opportunities
• Learn that career negotiations extend far beyond salary and bonus
• Even the playing field of opportunity for men and women to negotiate for career advancement
• Reduce the potential for gender differences in negotiated outcomes in career rewards or opportunities
• Create more work and family win-wins

You will have an opportunity to focus on your self-defined negotiation challenges at either an individual career or organizational level. The day will feature the latest research findings on gender in negotiations; video-based case examples; small group and structured peer-to-peer problem solving exercises; and interactive discussions.
You will walk away with:

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The Conference Board Governance Center invites you to join us for a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 on the topic of women on boards.
 
Topic: The Board Game--How Smart Women Become Corporate Directors

Date & Time:
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
12:00 – 2:00 pm EDT

Location:
The Conference Board
845 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
 
Speaker(s):
Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, President, Berkhemer Clayton, Inc.; a retained executive search firm
Interviewed by Allie Rutherford, Leader, Center for Board Matters, EY
Remarks by Kim A. Van Der Zon, Partner; Head of US Board Practice, Egon Zehnder International
Board diversity, and more specifically, the role of women on boards, has been a much discussed and even debated topic for decades. And still, female representation on boards is stuck in the high-teens. Our guest has studied the paths women have taken to the boardroom and will share her insights and thoughts on how women can and should prepare themselves for board service.
 
Please register by Friday, May 9th.

Webcast: REGISTER HERE
 
In today’s work environment, women compose roughly 47 percent of the total US labor force, but women only hold 16.6 percent of board seats of Fortune 500 companies. In “The Board Game: How Smart Women Become Corporate Directors,” author/headhunter Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire features the stories of 58 women directors who reveal how they won their first board seats and provides women (and men) essential guidance on how to land a coveted spot on the board.
 
Who Should Attend: This webcast is important for any woman (or man) looking to win a seat on the board of directors and business leaders seeking to recruit more female candidates to board positions.
 
Speakers:

• Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, President and Co-Founder, Berkhemer Clayton Inc. Retained Executive Search
• Toni Riccardi (Moderator), Senior Fellow, Human Capital, The Conference Board

“In a nutshell, women must be represented on corporate boards in order to influence the direction of our companies and our society,” says Michele Parrish SM ’05, founder of Women Leaders in Global Operations (WLGO), an MIT alumnae group. “Plenty of data supports the conclusion that adding women to a corporate board improves the performance of the company. Quite simply, it’s good for the business.”
 
Learn more during a free WLGO webcast titled Leadership on Boards: Improved Performance through Director Diversity. Find out why women leaders improve organizational performance—and how to become an effective board member yourself. Sign up now for the webcast scheduled for Thursday, May 22, Noon PDT/3:00 p.m. EDT via WebEx.
 
Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, author of The Board Game: How Smart Women Become Corporate Directors, will moderate this panel:

• Denise Johnson SM ’97, SM ’97, vice president of Caterpillar’s largest division
• Mark Parrish SM ’95, SM ’95, president and CEO of the Stuart Dean Company
• Stephanie Sonnabend SM ‘79, former CEO and president of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation and co-founder of 2020 Women on Boards

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Technology is frequently touted as the solution to increasing student achievement, but is it really helping educators achieve their goals? A panel of education innovators will examine how technology is transforming classrooms today and the challenges that have arisen along the way. Moderator Lauren Laundry, who is the Associate Editor for education and technology at BostInno, will lead a discussion on how educators are integrating technology into their classrooms, what products edtech visionaries are building, and the policy issues that are hindering progress.

Panelists include:

• Lauren Landry: Associate Editor, Education and Technology, BostInno (Moderator)
• Nigel Jacob: Co-Founder, City of Boston Office of New Urban Mechanics
• Lillie Marshall: Educator and Founder, Around the World L
• Molly Levitt: Founder, Brightloop Learning
• Steve Vinter: Engineering Director, Google Cambridge

 
Educators' Tech Collaborative, an organization that empowers women to transform education through technology, will kick off the event. 
 
Agenda:
6:00-6:45 pm: Networking
6:45-8:00 pm: Panel Discussion and Q&A
8:00-9:00 pm: Networking
 
CLICK HERE to learn more and register.

A meeting to advance Massachusetts’ Competitive Position in the global economy by closing the Gender Wage Gap & increasing the number of Women on Boards of Directors. On June 11, 2014, the Alliance for Business Leadership will host dozens of the most prominent CEO’s and business leaders in Massachusetts to galvanize action on advancing women in the workplace.
 
WHAT IS “CLEARING THE PATH”?
A candid, problem-solving meeting of thought leaders and CEO’s to advance the gender diversity goal, specifically supporting:

• 100% Talent Compact
• 2020 Women on Boards

A critical mass of committed executives will engage in a candid, closed-door conversation to share best practices, dispel myths, and show others the way. We will specifically examine ways CEO’s have overcome barriers to making progress. Given overwhelming agreement that the time has come, we’ll wrestle with the question:
HOW can we help more executives embrace GENDER DIVERSITY and CLEAR THE PATH, remove barriers and advance progress?
 
HOSTS:

• Trish Karter, Co-Founder, Dancing Deer Baking Company
• Jim Roosevelt, President & CEO, Tufts Health Plan
• Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Professor, Harvard Business School

WHO IS BEING ASKED TO PARTICIPATE?

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On November 20, in cities across the United States and throughout the world, thousands of C-Suite and senior level executives will discuss and explore the benefits that women bring to company boardrooms. The goal: to raise awareness and continue the momentum of today’s national and global brands committing to 20 percent or more of their board seats held by women.

This year we will be answering one strategic question:

"What will it take for the U.S. to become a global leader in the advancement of women to company boards?"

Will states or the federal government need to legislate change?
Will a SEC or legislative ‘comply or explain’ directive work?
Will women need to be more vocal and assertive on the issue?
Will men need to embrace and become leaders in the diversity and inclusion movement?
Will shareholder activists need to vote out all male boards?

We hope you'll join us this year. Check this website for up-to-the-minute information on events being planned across the country.

For more information on becoming an event organizer and to receive a copy of our event planning Toolkit please email us at: info@2020wob.com.

For a company whose target market is mostly women, Urban Outfitters is failing miserably on behalf of its board’s gender diversity. Investors are not pleased. Almost half of the company's independent shareholders voted in favor of a resolution to commit to a policy of inclusion that would consider women and minority candidates for the board. The resolution was rejected.
 
Over the past three years, shareholders have repeatedly voiced concern regarding Urban’s all male board, submitting proposals that would address the issue. With each proposal getting shot down, shareholders are digging in, refusing to accept such blatant disregard for gender diversity in the corporate world. In response to their disgruntled investors, Urban appointed one woman to the board last year: the founder and chief executive’s wife. As Gretchen Morgensen said in a New York Times article last year, "Talk about poking your shareholders in the eye with a stick."
 
Trying to understand Urban’s response is perhaps even more difficult when you compare Urban to a company in the same market: Abercrombie & Fitch. A&F jumped the proverbial gun and nominated four women executives, highly qualified in retail, to their board in anticipation of their annual meeting this month.
 
We applaud the Urban investors and their protest vote, and hope more companies like Abercrombie & Fitch recognize the value that women bring to the boardroom table. 

NAWBO Indy is proud to present F.U.E.L., a training series to encourage and prepare woman business owners to seek new levels of involvement in government and politics. Join us Thursday, August 28 for a power packed half day event to include action provoking dialogue from national and state experts from both sides of the aisle. Sessions include:

• Morning Chat with Lt. Governor Sue Ellpermann
• She Should Run and Resources to Run
• Afternoon Conversation regarding Woman on Boards with The Honorable Linda Klain, Administrative Law Judge
• Meet the Candidates Networking Session

This is one you won't want to miss!
 
Agenda
8:00 - 8:30 AM         
Registration
 
8:30 - 9:30 AM         
Morning Roundtable with Lt. Governor Ellspermann
 
9:30 - 9:40 AM         
Break
 
9:40 - 10:10 AM       
She Should Run (Running for Office 101) 
 
10:10 - 10:15 AM     
Break
 
10:15 - 11:00 AM     
Resources to Run (Lugar Series, Indiana Leadership Forum, Women's Campaign School at Yale)
 
11:00 - 1:00 PM
Luncheon Keynote Speaker

• The Honorable Linda B. Klain, JD/MBA
• Administrative Law Judge
• Project 2020: Increasing the Number of Women on Corporate Boards by 20%

 
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Meet the Candidates Networking Reception
 

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2020 Women On Boards is a national campaign to create awareness and to work towards increasing the percentage of women on U.S. corporate boards. We have a goal to influence and affect this increase to 20% or greater by the year 2020. 2020WOB recently formed a Chicago chapter and will be hosting a national event on November 20th. Our speakers will discuss the topic of board diversity.
On November 20th, many cities across the U.S. and throughout the world the "National Conversation" will take place where many C-Suite and senior executives will discuss - "What will it take for the U.S. to become a global leader in the advancement of women to company boards?" Join us for this webinar to learn more about this education and advocacy campaign and how you can get involved BEFORE the annual event.
 
Presenter:
Dr. Judi Spaletto is a results-driven technology and business strategist with 20 years experience implementing large scale global business & technology solutions. Judi possesses deep expertise in both IT and business and leverages that unique combination for a holistic approach to solving business problems. Dr. Spaletto has a Masters Degree in Science and has completed a Doctorate in Business focusing in Information Technology. Judi currently serves as a member of the Board for Roosevelt University's Walter Heller College of Business and volunteers in a number of other organizations.
 
Agenda:

• Introductions
• Background Provided
• Chicago Chapter Needs
• Pledge
• Q&A
• Closing Remarks

 
For more information or to register: CLICK HERE

Corporate Salute with Jeanette Horan, Managing Director, IBM
Join regional business leaders as keynote speaker Jeanette Horan discusses the role of “big data” and security in the future of corporate America--the challenges and benefits of digital media; the sense of urgency that pervades transactions of all sizes; issues of privacy and security; and the impact all of this has on shaping and influencing business and culture. Jeanette Horan was appointed Chief Information Officer of IBM in 2011 and named a Managing Director in July 2014. We'll also announce results ofThe Boston Club's 2014 Census of Women Directors & Executive Officers of Massachusetts Public Companies.
Members: No Charge; NonMembers: $100
 
For more information, visit: http://member.thebostonclub.com/core/events/eventdetails.aspx?meeting=COR01106X0

You’ve heard how hard it is to find qualified women board appointees?  Not for these seven companies.  3M, Care.com, Dollar General, Jack in the Box, Potbelly, Raytheon and Tesla all appointed women to their boards this month.  For some it was a noteworthy first, for others a natural second or third woman director. 

These newly appointed directors bring a range of high-level skills including  IT operations, digital marketing, financial expertise and retail savvy.  Proof positive that senior women executives have the skills and experience that boards need - including industry knowledge, operational experience and functional expertise.

As such, we look forward to their contributions including:
• Diversity of Thought: Women on boards bring different perspectives to the difficult issues facing today’s corporations. It is widely believed that diversity of thought results in better decision making.

• Stakeholder Representation: The makeup of corporate boards of directors should be representative of the company in which it governs: shareholders, employees, and customers.

• Competitive Advantage: A diverse board is better positioned to thrive in today’s global economy where the pace of change is accelerating and rapidly changing economic realities require nimble, strategic and well informed directors.

So the next time you hear the excuse, “we can’t find qualified women,” remember this month’s pool of just-tapped talent.  We applaud all of our recent appointees, and encourage other companies to dive on in, the water’s fine. 

“Beyond Borders” is about more than extending your operations past state and country lines. It’s about expanding the ways in which you think about business, boardroom, and global issues. It’s about the convergence of new models of thinking with tried and true best practices and about connecting the dots between seemingly disparate subjects to create a new framework for looking at strategy and risk. NACD’s 2014 annual Board Leadership Conference will encourage you to go beyond your limits in ways that will benefit your company and your personal development as a director.
 
This year’s conference promises to be bigger and better than ever with a new Global Village, which will feature embassy officials and subject matter experts discussing governance and business practices across the globe, an enhanced Social Media Lab, where attendees can learn more about how to take advantage of mobile technologies, and an enhanced set of break-out sessions broken out by subject area and designed to help you get maximum value out of your time at conference.
 
The 2014 NACD Board Leadership Conference will help directors connect the dots between leading global practices, provide ideas for how your company can become stronger and more sustainable, and how you as a director can continually broaden your skills set and the value you bring to the boardroom.
 

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“My father was not looking for diversity of thought.  He was looking for agreement,”  writes Stephanie Sonnabend.  Thus explaining her challenge in securing women for the board of Sonesta International Corporation, the publicly traded, family controlled global hotel chain of which her father was Chairman of the Board.  
 
However, with her persistent urging, first one woman was added, then Stephanie became the second and eventually a third.  Upon his passing, Stephanie helped create an even more diverse board including four women and two minorities of ten directors.  Did this lead to contentious board meetings with diversity of thought contributing to gridlock and lack of action?  Of course not.  Rather, the new participants helped enhance strategic conversations with a wide-angle view. Board members who had been relatively silent became active participants in more dynamic and valuable conversations.
 
With her three perspectives as insider at Sonesta, as an independent director at Century Bank & Trust and co-founder of 2020 Women on Boards, Stephanie exemplifies the impact of being able to look at a business question from different points of view. 
 
So when you hear the pushback that a more a diverse board means the Chair will have to spend valuable time justifying decisions rather than executing on them, offer a different perspective.  A board comprised of diversity of people can offer new perspectives on forward-thinking strategy and business operations.
 
Read the full article here:  Gender Diversity in the Corporate Boardroom: Creating a Tipping Point for Change

Join the 2020 Women on Boards, Chicago Chapter for an evening of networking, hors d'oeuvres and insightful conversation, at the Sub-Zero/Wolf Showroom at the Chicago Merchandise Mart from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM.
 
A conversation with:
Adela Cepeda, Founder and President of A.C. Advisory, Inc.; Board of Directors, BMO Financial Corp.
 
For more information and to register for the event: http://2020wobchicago2014.eventbrite.com/.

From The Bay State Banner to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, there is an increased spotlight on women serving on the boards of public companies.
 
Here at 2020 Women on Boards, we are gearing up for this year's one-day National Conversation, to be held November 20, 2014 throughout cities in the U.S. and the world, when thousands of C-Suite and senior level executives discuss and explore the benefits that women bring to company boardrooms.
 
We will be asking the question that is gaining increasing interest:  What will it take for the US to become a global leader in the advancement of women to company boards?
 
As SEC Chair Mary Jo White stated in her speech to the SAIS Global Conference on Women in the Boardroom, "As a former director of a public company, I know how important it is to have diversity in the boardroom.  And when I speak of boardroom diversity, I mean more than just diversity of professional experience, industry expertise and education.  I mean real gender and minority diversity, which brings with it a richness and variety of experiences and perspectives that benefit companies and shareholders."
 
Click here to learn more about The National Conversation.

(September 24, 2014) For the ninth year in a row, Pillsbury has been named to Working Mother's 100 Best Companies, which celebrates employers whose groundbreaking benefits—from flexible schedules and child care to innovative leave policies for new parents—are helping redefine workplace standards across the nation.

"The Working Mother 100 Best Companies are the leaders in the advancement of women by supporting their need to integrate family and work successfully," said Carol Evans, President of Working Mother Media. "We are thrilled to honor the U.S. companies that put words into action and build family-friendly cultures on the foundation of thoughtful policies and effective programs."

Pillsbury is one of just four national law firms to make the list. To determine who is selected, companies complete an extensive questionnaire on workforce representation, child care, flexibility programs, leave policies and more. It surveys the availability, usage and tracking of programs, as well as the accountability of managers who oversee them. For this year’s Working Mother100 Best Companies, particular weight was given to flexible work arrangements, women’s advancement programs and paid maternity leave.

The 100 Best Companies are featured in the October/November issue ofWorking Mother and on the Working Mother website at this link.