Recap of 2007 International Women's Day Seminar

Panel Members:

Robin Kane - Director of Human Resources, Whitewave Foods
Elizabeth Cornish - Senior Vice-President of Development, Diversified Agency Services Omnicom Group
Caroline Gundeck - Chief Diversity Officer, Global Wealth Management Group Morgan Stanley

The subject of the seminar was A View from Above: Success in the Corporate Setting. Here are the major leadership points made by the panel.

1). Barriers to corporate success are: Gender based stereotypes, Exclusion from informal networks, Lack of female role models

2). Best Practices Companies develop women leaders by:
- Creating and communicating a compelling business case from the top down for gender inclusion
- Engaging key sponsors and equipping them with the knowledge and information needed to be change leaders
- Establishing metrics and aligning business objectives with diversity initiatives
- Implementing effective women's leadership development programs
- Providing "real world" opportunities for women to demonstrate leadership abilities
- Rewarding successes and reinforcing the changes

3). Examples of successful women's leadership initiatives can be found at:
- Safeway. Program - Championing Change for women: An Integrated Strategy
- PepsiCo. Program - WOC Women of Color Multi-cultural Alliance
- Price WaterHouse Coopers. Program - UPE Unique People Experience
- Chubb. Program - Reach Up, Reach Out, Reach Down
- Marriott International. Program - Council on Women's Leadership Development
- General Mills. Program - Affinity Based Network Groups

4). About the Glass Ceiling - Make opportunities for yourself and prove the business case to counteract the glass ceiling effect. Create your own network and get recognized for your successes. Find opportunities to engage others and showcase your achievements.

 
5). On Mentoring - Don't shy away from having a male mentor. The relationship is more important than the gender. It's important to network informally as well as formally. Volunteering to work on a campaign such as Go Red for Women will give you the opportunity to meet people and form a relationship.