No Longer Business As Usual
As the
country and the world grapple with economic challenges, it is clear that we can
no longer operate in a sphere made up of outdated paradigms. Successfully moving forward during these
turbulent times calls for capable and diverse leadership that fosters innovation
and new strategies. Sustaining a critical mass of qualified, experienced,
diverse leaders in all organizations is a business imperative.
Corporations
and businesses that diversify their leadership will foster the best thinking, differing
points of view and a comprehensive analysis of issues to drive the decisions
that define the future. More than ever, the message of Milwaukee Women inc (MWi)
to increase gender diversity at the highest levels of corporate management is
relevant and critical. Women can and do impact the bottom line.
This year, Milwaukee
Women inc will once again assess progress in this arena with our biennial
report of the 50 largest Wisconsin-based public companies' board and executive
management leadership. With the help of
our partners, and the generous support of our sponsors, we will be bringing you
the information and tools to advance this initiative to enhance our economic
growth. Plan to hear more about this
important topic with the release of the report this fall.
MWi News...
MWi has
changed executive leadership. On January 31st
I stepped down from my role to focus on the growth of my business, MBA - My
Business Advisors. I have enjoyed my
tenure with MWi and look forward to continuing my involvement on a volunteer
basis.
Milwaukee Women
inc is pleased to announce that Carla Rutley is the new
Executive Director. Carla is an advocate for women in leadership
and is a known voice for economic development in southeastern Wisconsin. Carla most recently was the Executive Director and co-founder of the
Waukesha County Action Network, a nonprofit organization of civic and business
leaders who evaluate public policy issues.
Please join
me in congratulating Carla on her appointment. You can reach her at crutley@milwaukeewomeninc.org
or
414-254-1177.
Marsha Block
Past Chair
Items of Interest...
Leaders in a Global Economy:
A Study of Executive Women & Men
The Leaders in a Global Economy study found, not surprisingly, that men senior executives have higher status jobs than women senior executives. Researchers investigated why this is so by looking at differences in men's and women's demographics, work experiences, family lives, ambitions, and the obstacles they face in advancing. None of these factors could fully explain the outcome. Clearly, other characteristics of men and women or of the workplace affect these differences. Given this context, the study -- sponsored by the Families & Work Institute, Catalyst, and the Boston College Center for Work & Family -- dug deeper to challenge common wisdom. In many cases, it found that common wisdom does not hold up under scrutiny. Read more...
Getting Back on the Diversity
The number of women and minority directors is barely growing. Corporate Board Member magazine tells us why that's worrisome, along with some expert ideas for finding good new
candidates. Read more...
Spencer Stuart Board Index
The Spencer Stuart Board Index is an annual study that examines the
state of corporate governance among the S&P 500. The 2008 index
looks at how boards have changed in the past 10 years. Among other
findings, a key takeaway in our 23rd edition is the increased
independence and changing makeup of today's S&P 500 board. Read more...
Using the Strength of Women to Rebuild the World Economy
The financial crisis jolting the world's economies only highlights the missing voices and lacking presence of women. While many countries and businesses have made strides toward narrowing the gender gap, the vast potential of women to contribute to business and economic growth has yet to be realized. The authors of Ernst & Young's Groundbreakers report say that a crisis presents an opportunity for change. Read more...
Men Get the Blame for Britain's Financial Crises
The interrogation of the lions of British banking, many of whom have
lost their jobs, began on live television recently before the financial
overseers of Parliament's Treasury Select Committee. And in line with
the usual math of the financial world, 18 of the 19 key people in the
room were men.
"Clearly, something needs to change," said Howard Archer, chief European and U.K. economist at IHS Global Insight in London. Read more...
OpEd: Mistresses of the Universe
Nicholas D. Kristof says that banks around the world desperately want bailouts of billions of
dollars, but they also have another need they're unaware of: women,
women and women. At the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, some of the
most interesting discussions revolved around whether we would be in the
same mess today if Lehman Brothers had been Lehman Sisters. Read more...
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