As a public company director and former Marine Corps Officer, my colleagues turn to me to discuss and resolve difficult issues.  They do not say "need a woman's perspective," but it is implied and appreciated.

If you believe that women should be better represented on corporate boards but your mutual fund or IRA or 401K Plan is voting your proxies to rubber stamp all-male director slates, then you are part of the problem and need to become part of the solution.  It’s critical that investors weigh in, because ultimately companies will have to embrace gender diversity if their shareholders demand it.

Women are past ready to fill board seats. In our programs at Bentley that span the career spectrum, we see women with strong business skills and an understanding of the complex contexts in which businesses operate. Companies that utilize the full talent pool from top to bottom are stronger.

To survive, businesses will have to be inclusive. The results will be woven into the fiber of their culture. Today's smart businesses will take an extra step to jump start the process. These visionary institutions will be rewarded - others will be left behind.

From an economic, a business and a fairness perspective, diversity matters. To be competitive, we need to use all the talent available to us - both female and male.

Ranked by Princeton Review as #2 in the U.S. among business schools for "Providing the Greatest Opportunities for Women" the UAlbany School of Business actively supports increasing the percentage of women on corporate boards. The 2020 initiative will increase equity, efficiency and profit.