Front | 2020 Women on Boards

2020 Women on Boards is a national campaign to increase the percentage of women on U.S. company boards to 20% or greater by the year 2020.

Hear what our Board of Leaders has to say about the campaign...

Many proponents of board diversity tout the different perspective that women bring to many issues. While that may be true, the simple fact is that omitting women from any issue omits half of the thought leadership on the planet.

Joe DeitchFounder and Chairman, Commonwealth Financial Network

I have seen first-hand the success that can occur when women are given the opportunity to lead. Studies show that gender equity and diversity greatly improve work practice, benefitting business and society as a whole. Particularly now, in these economic times, women must have a seat at the table in every level of enterprise.

Helen DrinanPresident, Simmons College

The bottom line business case has been made: different perspectives, enhanced decision making, and mitigating "group think" to reflect the markets, employees, clients and communities in which companies operate, gender diversity is a strategic business imperative.

Janice ElligCo-CEO, Chadick Ellig, Inc.

Marian L. HeardPresident and CEO, Oxen Hill Partners

When a company's board is all white and male, it makes us wonder, "Is this a mistake? Does this company feel embarrassed that it can’t attract a more diverse group?” Given that women make over 80% of consumers purchases, having female representation on boards is no longer optional.

Diane HessanPresident and CEO, Communispace Corporation

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.

Janet JankuraDirector, Green Earth Technologies, Inc.

All companies operate in a fast changing, complex and diverse environment. The most successful companies embrace diversity at all levels – especially on the Board - as one of the most effective tools to remain competitive and to deliver value to its customers and shareholders.

Jackie Jenkins-ScottPresident, Wheelock College

As a confidential advisor to global CEOs, it is clear that sustainable innovation requires organizations to embrace difference, diversity, and dissonance. The job of top leadership is to make these tensions productive. Companies whose boards fail to embrace and make productive diversity, difference, and dissonance are at risk.

Saj-nicole JoniCEO, Cambridge International Group Ltd.

Modern boards must include directors who are empathetic to and representative of the population that supports the company and modern directors have to understand what people are feeling and thinking today. Since women constitute the majority of consumers and an increasingly large part of the labor pool, it just makes sense that they add value in the boardroom.

Karen KaplanPresident, Hill Holiday

Steven E. KarolManaging Partner and Founder, Watermill Group

Patricia KarterChief Deer, Co-Founder, and Former CEO, Dancing Deer Baking Company, Inc.

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.

Joe KeefeCEO, Pax World

Calvert views diversity as a strategic business and investment imperative. Companies that are embracing board diversity by drawing on a wide range of viewpoints and backgrounds are better positioned for future success.

Barbara J. KrumsiekPresident, CEO, and Chair, Calvert Group, Ltd.

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.

Gloria C. LarsonPresident, Bentley University

Women do make a difference in the boardroom. They bring a collaborative leadership style that benefits boardroom dynamics by increasing the amount of listening, social support, and win-win problem-solving.

Joanna T. LauFounder, CEO, and Chair, Lau Technologies

Margaret McKennaPresident Emeritus and Professor of Leadership, Lesley University

Terry MollnerFounder and Director, Calvert Family of Socially Responsible Investment Funds

Soledad O'BrienAnchor and Special Correspondent, CNN/U.S.

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.

Vikki PryorChange Create Transform

Pamela D. A. ReevePresident, The Commonwealth Institute

Akamai strongly advocates board diversity, because we value the wide range of experience and perspective that it brings to our strategy development and corporate governance.

Paul SaganCEO, Akamai

The presence of women on boards is just good business. With more than half of the population female, it makes sense to be represented in similar fashion on a board of a public company. No matter the business sector, the buying or investing public should be represented appropriately on the board.

Larraine SegilBoard Member, Frontier Communications

For far too long the discussion around the number of women on corporate boards (or, more accurately, the number not boards) has been framed as "Why should organizations make having more female board members a priority?" 2020 WOB has created a seismic shift in the discussion by re-framing the question as "Why not?!".

Jan ShubertDirector, The Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College

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.

Donald S. SiegelDean and Professor, University at Albany

Barry R. SloanePresident, CEO and Director, Century Bank & Trust Company and Century Bancorp, Inc.

It is time to give women a greater voice in corporate America. Smart companies will add women quickly to find the best talent. Women will be joining boards at a rapid pace.

Stephanie SonnabendCEO and President, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation

Smart and enlightened women on boards, like their best male counterparts, are champions of the interests of shareholders, always mindful too of a company’s customers and employees.

Wendy Markus WebbManaging Director, Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC

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