News & Insight
December 2012

Increasing Gender-Balance on Corporate Boards

On 12/12/12, 2020 Women on Boards chapters, affiliates, friends and supporters will hold lunch events in cities across the U.S. to share ideas, strengthen and grow our networks, and change business for the better. 12/12/12 luncheons will promote the work being done to increase the number of women on U.S. company boards and will raise critical funding for the 2020 Women on Boards national campaign.

Studies by Catalyst and McKinsey, among others, have shown that increasing gender balance on boards leads to better decisions and company performance. Corporations that do not bring more women onto boards will fall behind their competitors who tap into the expanding pool of talented women. The mission of the national campaign 2020 Women on Boards, www.2020wob.com, is to increase the percentage of women on U.S corporate boards from currently 15.6% to at least 20% or greater by 2020. Campaign supporters include individuals, organizations and companies that embrace the principle that diversity in the boardroom encourages good corporate decision-making. Chapters are being launched in major cities across the U.S. 2020 Women on Boards publishes the annual Gender Diversity Index which reports on the gender diversity of Boards of Directors in Fortune 1000 companies.

There are now 23 confirmed luncheons occurring on 12/12/12 in cities across the US – and events in Canada and Italy! We will also be holding a day-long Tweet-a-thon (#1212WOB). To learn more or look for an event near you click here. Traveling? No problem - attend an event in one of our host cities and make new connections!

Buy a seat, buy a table, become an event sponsor. Your contribution will help the campaign to put more women on corporate boards.

Interested in attending a luncheon in New York? Register here to attend the 12/12/12 buffet luncheon at global law firm Reed Smith for an expert panel discussion with industry and board recruitment leaders including Vikki Pryor, Principal, Change Create Transform; Former President and CEO of SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company; 2020 Women on Boards, Board of Leaders; James Barnes, Partner, Corporate Governance Practice, Reed Smith; Doug Conant, Former President & CEO, Campbell Soup Company; co-author,Touch Points: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments (Jossey-Bass, 2011); and Patricia Lenkov, President, Agility Executive Search. The panel will be moderated by Carol Hymowitz, Bloomberg Editor-at-large. Reed Smith is located at 599 Lexington Avenue, 22nd Floor.

OR

Register to attend the 12/12/12 plated luncheon at The Benjamin Hotel for a conversation with Sallie Krawcheck, former president of the Global Wealth and Investment Management Division of Bank of America. Sallie will be interviewed by Gillian Tett, Financial Times US Managing Editor. The Benjamin Hotel is located at 125 East 50th Street.

Christiane Neumayer is an Account Director at WJM Associates and the Chair of 2020 Women on Boards New York Steering Committee. [email protected]

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