INSIGHT EMPOWER IMPACT Georgetown University WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
WELCOME
CATHERINE TINSLEY, Ph.D. Professor of Management Faculty Director, Georgetown University Women’s Leadership Institute
At the Georgetown University Women’s Leadership Institute (GUWLI), we generate evidence-based insight to empower real-world impact. We offer programs to develop gender-intelligent leaders and partner with companies to create gender-inclusive environments and representative leadership. The institute exemplifies the McDonough School of Business’ philosophy of excellence in research to impact practice. Our groundbreaking research identifies opportunities and obstacles to leadership, training, and inclusion efforts and contributes to better understanding and solutions. This science-based approach benefits women and men of all ages and backgrounds, as well as the organizations that manage this talent. I invite you to get involved in our work: Join the conversation. Learn new strategies. Share your experiences. Together, we can help transform scientific insight into meaningful impact to create a richer, more diverse, and more productive workforce.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
The American workforce is more diverse than it has ever been, and companies spend millions of dollars on leadership training and development. Despite these generous investments, progress has been slow — women are far less likely than men to advance the corporate ranks. More than 40 years after the iconic “Women’s Strike for Equality” in Washington, D.C., women still comprise less than one fifth of corporate board positions, one quarter of all executive officer positions, and less than 5 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs.
Many well-intentioned programs designed to develop gender-intelligent leaders are not informed by evidencebased research. Efforts need to be grounded in science to allow companies to discern the true reasons for gender imbalance and to discover which interventions will make a difference. The Women’s Leadership Institute convenes faculty researchers, company executives, policymakers, and students to build a foundation of data-driven knowledge about gender-intelligent leadership. The institute’s work has implications for corporations and C-suite executives, as well as women and men just starting their careers.
Men and women are equally represented in the job market at every age, yet women do not achieve leadership positions at the same rate as men. S&P 1500 CEO 4 % WOMEN
CHIEF EXECUTIVES MEN
96% S&P 1500 CFO WOMEN
16%
74%
MANAGEMENT OCCUPATIONS
S&P 1500 BOARD SEATS WOMEN
MEN
26%
MEN
90%
10%
WOMEN
WOMEN
39%
MEN
61%
PROFESSIONAL-LEVEL JOBS MEN
84%
WOMEN
52%
Sources: Ernst & Young Center for Board Matters, Bureau of Labor Statistics Household Data 2014
MEN
48%
INSIGHT
The institute pushes the boundaries of knowledge through innovative, thought-provoking research with practical application. Our thought leadership is evidenced by recurring citations in national and international publications, academic journals, and mainstream media, as well as frequent participation in and presentations at academic and general interest conferences.
“ Through its pioneering research on gender-intelligent leadership, the Women’s Leadership Institute is impacting practice and transforming the way corporations conduct global business — a critical part of our mission at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.” DAVID A. THOMAS Dean, Georgetown University McDonough School of Business
Although increasing numbers of women are their family’s primary breadwinner, our research suggests that U.S. attitudes about the gender division of labor within couples lags behind this reality. “Who should bring home the bacon? How deterministic views of gender constrain spousal wage preferences” (2014) reveals that the majority of American men and women across all ages and races still prefer the man to be the primary breadwinner, showing a disconnect between reality and attitudes.
GUWLI research indicates that women often face backlash when they behave assertively, including when they are at the bargaining table. This backlash can make negotiations difficult, leading to fewer opportunities for raises and promotions. To offset the problem, the institute’s research suggests women should convey other status markers, such as organizational achievements, and build strong allies within the organization.
GUWLI and Catherine Tinsley, far right, hosted a discussion on women and leadership with jewelry designer Kara Ross (C ’88), Artemis Rising Foundation founder and CEO Regina Scully (I ’85), and Citi managing director Maria Hackley (B ’83).
EMPOWER
GUWLI empowers Georgetown University students and alumni through regular on-campus workshops, an annual student-focused conference on women in business, and other networking opportunities. A six-week MBA course, “Developing Women Leaders: Cultivating Your Human and Social Capital,” was born out of Tinsley’s work with the institute. In the course, students explore six human and social capital skills that all business people need—regardless of their gender—to advance in their careers. The class is the only women’s leadership course among top MBA schools that offers a unique blend of rigorous research, concrete and tested prescriptions, networking, and practical advice. The institute also frequently partners with student organizations and professional women’s groups on workshops focused on negotiations, confidence, and leadership; panel discussions; and talks.
“ Working with GUWLI has given me access to research about women in business and created opportunities for thoughtful discussion, which I know will help me in my career.” MEGAN MIZAR (MBA ’16)
IMPACT
The institute has a real-world impact on organizations and society. By taking a critical look at diversity initiatives, it sheds light on interventions with demonstrated results. The institute connects organizations with cutting-edge research that will move companies and their employees forward. In a project with Tupperware Brands Corporation, GUWLI is measuring the impact of women’s confidence in multiple countries and examining the relationship between confidence and economic success, as well as how formal and informal control systems influence this interdependency. The research will allow the global company to better serve its employees and bring new insight into confidence-building in the workplace and around the world. “ Organizations struggle with attracting, retaining, and developing women even though they comprise half of the U.S. workforce. As a convener of business, government, and academic leaders, the Georgetown Women’s Leadership Institute is a valuable resource to organizations seeking actionable research, tools, and best practices that advance opportunities for women.” WESLEY COMBS (B ’85) North American Diversity and Inclusion Leader, The Boston Consulting Group
The institute also has worked with companies like Accenture, Ernst & Young, Kate Spade, and Morgan Stanley on a range of challenging issues such as creating diversity and inclusion initiatives, developing human and social capital, exploring the viability and scope of programs, and enhancing women’s participation and leadership in the U.S. financial industries. Recognizing that scholars and executives come to the table with complementary experiences, the institute also convenes leading academics and top-level executives in smaller, invitation-only workshops to tackle issues of gender equity and workforce development. Through these events, organizations can develop novel interventions and real-world solutions, grounded in rigorous research and tested in the workplace to measure and evaluate their efficacy.
“ At Tupperware Brands, we believe a link exists between women’s economic empowerment and confidence. We are partnering with the Georgetown University Women’s Leadership Institute to launch a study to better understand and, if possible, show the quantitative value behind the power of confidence. It is our hope that these findings draw attention to and legitimize the business need for women’s confidence in global economies. The partnership also demonstrates our commitment to accelerating the process of change and to facilitating dialog between academics and practitioners.” RICK GOINGS Chairman & CEO, Tupperware Brands
“ At Accenture, we are committed to supporting our female employees and their professional goals and aspirations — which are as unique as they are. We strive to provide an environment and culture that empowers women to define their personal approaches to success. Our partnership with GUWLI is critical to achieving these goals.” MIMI YEH (MBA ’95) Managing Director, Accenture
Each year, GUWLI hosts the Women in Business conference at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.
GET INVOLOVED
Connect with us to learn more about the Georgetown University Women’s Leadership Institute: Georgetown University McDonough School of Business Rafik B. Hariri Building 527 37th and O Streets, NW Washington, DC 20057 guwli@georgetown.edu Catherine Tinsley Faculty Director tinsleyc@georgetown.edu @GUWLI Georgetown University Women’s Leadership Institute Georgetown University Women’s Leadership Institute
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | GUWLI