While we’re thrilled to see an increase in the number of women in positions of corporate leadership, the needle isn’t moving fast enough. We’ve done a great job in recent years focusing on women’s empowerment through initiatives like mentorship and diversity training, but we haven’t yet tackled the structural barriers that disproportionately disadvantage women in the workplace. Our one-size-fits-all, 9-5 workday is a relic of the past, one that pushes women off the corporate leadership track or out of the workforce completely in a forced choice between care and career. Of the 30% of women who leave the workforce, 70% say they would have stayed if they had access to flexibility. If we can help facilitate work-life compatibility through structured flexibility policies while continuing to focus on women’s empowerment, we can increase the number of women in leadership and rapidly accelerate the advancement of corporate  gender equality. 

The Rosenzweig Report is an invaluable reminder that the key to making real, sustainable progress is collaboration and coordination. People skills are more important than ever before, and those who focus on building diverse networks will be the successful leaders in this new economic era. 

This is a moment in history that we must take advantage of, when the impact of a lack of diversity among the powerful is getting the world’s attention. It seems like an overwhelming challenge, but each one of us can do our part, and the Rosenzweig Report is an important example. At Borrowell, we haven’t let being a fast-growing fintech startup stop us from making diversity a priority and one of our core values. Of course, lots of companies talk about diversity. We treat it like any other important goal - we set targets, measure key results and report on our progress. For us, diversity isn’t just about demographic stats, but ensuring that people with different life experiences feel they can be their authentic selves and contribute their unique perspectives to solving business problems. We must do better. Together, I’m confident we can do better. 

The Rosenzweig Report is an essential resource for all concerned with bridging the gender gap in the workplace. The excellent research and depth of knowledge makes is a useful tool for all concerned with gender equality. In spite of Canada being one of the world’s most progressive nations, we all have a long way to go in order to level the playing field. The fact that one of the world’s most prominent talent management companies produces this report indicates how important it is for there to be gender parity amongst top decision makers. Jay Rosenzweig served on the Advisory Board for One Young World 2016 Ottawa – the most international gathering ever hosted on Canadian soil – where it was truly demonstrated that diversity should be viewed as a source of strength. 

Jay has inspired our members at The XX Project empowering women in business. With his insight and executive recruitment strategies, he’s brought amazing opportunities to our network.

The business case for diverse leadership teams is undeniable. Just this year, McKinsey & Company found that top-quartile gender diverse companies outperformed less-diverse peers by 21%. Women bring much-needed perspective, skills and leadership styles to the table. Collecting data and tracking progress is a good first step, but it’s not enough – companies must take bold action to remove the barriers preventing talented women from reaching C-suite roles. It’s the right thing to do for employees, stakeholders and shareholders alike.

For thirteen years, the Rosenzweig Report has provided insight and thought leadership on the progress we’ve collectively made. While we’ve trended upwards over the past decade, we can do better than incremental improvement. The business case has been heard, the conversations have been had and 2018 has emerged as the year to accelerate. I am optimistic we will shift from conversation to measurable action to advance women both inside the outside the boardroom. At Northeastern University Toronto, we are proud to play a role in strengthening the talent pipeline and breaking down barriers through lifelong learning and innovative programs in STEM education.

As an award-winning entrepreneur, businesswoman and Women’s Success Coach, I find the Rosenzweig Report to be a great resource. It turns a needed spotlight on Corporate Canada and charts the business community’s progress in terms of allowing women to reach their full potential. It also reminds women that we need to keep pushing forward, always striving to take the initiative, to be visible and, ultimately to become so indispensable that our advancement is not just an option, but a business necessity.

Women represent nearly half of Canada’s labour force yet are underrepresented in positions of leadership such as in Canada’s C-suite and on corporate boards. This is where decisions are made and women need to play a greater role. Progress can be sustained by throwing out traditional ideals of what a successful leader should be and embracing the diversity and talents of the women of today and tomorrow. Doing so will ensure a stronger, more profitable Corporate Canada.

Progress is happening, albeit far too slow. Despite many of Canada’s largest organizations placing a focus on gender parity, the statistics continue to reveal a disappointing gap in representation in the most important of areas for influence – at the executive level and on Boards. In 2018 a bright light has also been cast on the disproportionate power dynamic that exists in many workplaces. I am optimistic that with continued focus, collaboration and the strength of many voices championing & activating better results, we can drive the change our economy, and our future generations need.

Multiple studies indicate that companies who embrace gender diversity and inclusion in all aspects of their business strategically outperform their peers.  The Rosenzweig Report highlights how far we have come and yet it also focuses on how much more we can accomplish working together.  At Nutrien we do our part to provide opportunities for women to be recognized and reach their full potential.

Now in its thirteenth year, the Rosenzweig Report has provided a critical and much required perspective with respect to gender diversity within this country’s corporate sector. Gender diversity is not only about fairness although it is also certainly about that, it is a significant component in ensuring that businesses are successful, representative and responsive. The Rosenzweig Report helps to illuminate this reality.

I believe we are on the precipice of change and must seize this opportunity to accelerate the number of women in leadership positions across all sectors: business, political and social impact. Study after study, story after story, we are reminded of how vitally important the value of diverse voices are at every level of the workplace and in our communities. Women have come a long way, but The Rosenzweig Report reminds us of how far we have yet to go. Jay’s work elevates the value of female leadership and participation. Never in our history has there been a more important time for diverse voices and visions.

There is no better basis for understanding how well women are advancing in Canada than hard facts. The 13th annual Rosenzweig Report shows definitively that women are not advancing fast enough. When females represent only 9% of senior management in the top 100 Canadian corporations, we know something must change—and rapidly. Men and women must be willing to share the “stage.” For that to happen men must welcome women into the ranks of senior management, and women themselves must aspire to achieve this level of management and do everything in their power to acquire that distinction. The solution, in short, is one that both genders must embrace and bring into being--shared leadership at the top.

The Rosenzweig Report keeps corporate Canada and other nations like it accountable. Without data, we have nothing but assumptions, excuses, and ill-informed opinions. Data helps destroys these dispositions, and I appreciate Jay and his team’s extensive reporting to showcase the slow moving progress of diversity in corporate life.

As the numbers in The Rosenzweig Report show, we still have a ways to go to achieve gender equality. But I believe that there has never been a better time to be a woman in business. I would encourage our community to push for more continued change while simultaneously ensuring that all women feel energized and enthused about the opportunities that exist for them. I would want every young woman to know that she can be herself, work hard, be true to her values, and be very successful in whatever field she chooses.

While the statistics around women in business are discouraging, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to represent women while I’m in rooms filled with men. I’ve learned how to thrive despite obstacles, and am dedicated to sharing the space in these rooms with more women. My startup is fortunate to have a group of both men and women who are almost equally represented on our cap table. Jay Rosenzweig is one of those investors and advisors. He has always encouraged our founding team to be conscious of diversity in our workplace. Having Jay as our mentor has really helped us shape how we think about our hires, partners, advisors, and investors. He’s the motivating force that keeps my head up when I face challenges in the workspace due to my gender. 

Society succeeds when we all succeed, and the progress of women is a significant measure of overall economic success across Canada and around the world. To create equal opportunities across economic, political or social arenas, both men and women have to be involved. Women need to be willing to take calculated risks, operate outside of our comfort zone and commit to mentoring and sharing our knowledge, and men need to speak up and challenge views to ensure women have a seat at the table. Organizations that have strong diverse representation are more successful organizations – and that means that all of us feel included and have a voice that is heard.