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A Woman ’ s Place is in the Boardroom
JENNIFER VIEWEG JOHN SIBOLD
Countless studies have found that organizations with more women in leadership benefit from improved financial performance . They are more innovative , build stronger reputations and better leverage talent . Similarly , those with women on their boards financially outperform those without them . In short — when women are at the table , organizations perform better .
Nevertheless , disparities persist , and women do not advance to higher levels of leadership as quickly as men . In February , Deloitte issued the seventh edition of its Women in the Boardroom report , which found that women occupy only about 19 % of board seats worldwide , fill only about 5 % of board chair and CEO roles and , when they do earn a seat at the table , serve shorter tenures than their male counterparts .
Women for Economic and Leadership Development ( WELD ) is committed to changing that narrative .
Charleston , WV , attorneys Amy Condaras and Danielle Waltz are members of the steering committee for the local chapter of WELD , whose mission is to develop and advance women ’ s leadership to strengthen the economic prosperity of communities through programming and networking opportunities .
According to Condaras , some of the most important leadership positions in government and business are found on boards and commissions .
“ It is important for corporate boards and public commissions to have female and diverse membership . Many problems organizations face require opinions and solutions from varied backgrounds ,” says Waltz .
One of the ways WELD pursues its mission is by offering trainings and working with other organizations in West Virginia to advance women to these positions .
For example , WELD ’ s corporate board training prepares participants for board service by exposing them to key issues that directors face . It also introduces them to board governance and provides tips on how to best position oneself to earn seats on for-profit boards .
Similarly , the group ’ s Government Boards and Commissions Governance Skills Certification Program prepares women for appointments to public oversight roles by providing insight into the appointment process . It offers guidance on ethics and conflicts of interest , introduces participants to parliamentary proceedings and offers pointers to prepare candidates for board interviews .
“ At the end of the day , from a business perspective , gender diversity on boards can bolster corporate reputations and create a leadership team that is representative of a company ’ s stakeholders , particularly its workforce and customer base ,” Condaras says . “ From a government perspective , it ’ s all about the constituents and stakeholders . Participation on government boards and commissions gives members of a community a voice in the government process . Increasing gender diversity ensures that boards and commissions are more representative of the communities they serve .”
The Charleston chapter of WELD was launched in 2017 and has grown to about 100 members since . Several , including Waltz , have successfully earned appointments to boards and commissions . Other WELD chapters include Columbus , Cleveland , Pittsburgh , Otterbein University , West Liberty University and several virtual chapters . •
Steps to Board Service
Step 1
Board service is a big responsibility . Work to develop your understanding of the requirements , expectations and responsibilities for corporate board or government commissions member ship . WELD trainings are a good place to start .
Step 2
Appointments are competitive . Women bring tremendous value to the board table , so create a pitch that makes a strong case for selecting you . This may involve building your resume through service in leadership roles with professional or nonprofit organizations and implementing a personal development plan to pique the interest of board nominating committees .
Step 3
Tell your story . Nominating committees need to know of your interest and qualifications . Be sure to network and communicate your interest in potential board roles to position yourself well for consideration .
Step 4
Raise your hand . When opportunities come open , women often second guess themselves instead of saying , “ I ’ m the right person for this position .” Step forward when an opportunity presents itself .
Step 5
Serve and represent well . When you accept a position on a board or commission , be a committed member and do what you say you are going to do . The best reference for future board service or board service at a higher level is a recommendation of someone who has seen you in action .
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE