In her welcoming speech, Liz Mohn, Chair of the Board of the Liz Mohn Foundation, spoke about the importance of international dialogue, social responsibility, and female leadership in an increasingly complex world.
“I hope that even more women will have the opportunity and dare to take on positions of responsibility—in all areas of our society. And that they will build and develop international networks. Because our world needs leadership with integrity – and heart,” Liz Mohn emphasized in her speech.
Irene Natividad, President of the Global Summit of Women, then presented the key findings from the latest report, “Women Leading Fortune Global 500 Companies.”
Despite much progress, women are still significantly underrepresented in top management positions and on supervisory boards worldwide. In her presentation, Irene Natividad made it clear that sustainable diversity in management can only be achieved if companies specifically promoted female talent, improved their organizational culture, and clearly communicated the added value of having more women in leadership positions. In addition, change had to come from the top of the company.
The current figures from the report underscore this assessment: In the 500 largest companies worldwide, 29 percent of supervisory board positions are held by women, and only 21 percent of positions in operational top management. In Germany, the figures are slightly higher: 34 percent of supervisory board members are female, and 22 percent are in top management.
The results were analyzed by Ertharin Cousin, member of the supervisory board of Bayer AG, and Ann Sherry, non-executive director at National Australia Bank Ltd., among others. They emphasized that companies performed significantly better when they reflected social diversity. Diversity was thus regarded as an obligation.
Daniela Schwarzer, member of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board, took the opportunity to share her thoughts at the Global Women Summit: “When so many women in management positions come together, as they do here, it creates a valuable space for new perspectives and impulses. This diversity of experience and viewpoints is an asset for business, politics and society – and should be recognized and promoted much more.”
The event concluded with an open question and answer session with media representatives and guests. A reception afterwards provided an opportunity for personal exchange between the leaders.
