Íæż½ã½ã has a deep commitment to the mission of educating women to lead and influence. Our School of Business develops strong and diverse women leaders who positively transform organizations to shape a better world. The production of the annual Minnesota Census of Women in Corporate Leadership is one distinct way in which Íæż½ã½ã's invests in this commitment and holds us all accountable for supporting women in leadership.
Over the past 16 years, Íæż½ã½ã has established the Census as the leading source on women in corporate leadership. Íæż½ã½ã’s remains the only institution in Minnesota conducting this important research, which includes women of color.
In the , both women’s representation on boards and in executive officer roles increased slightly, reaching new highs. While these gains are positive, the stark reality is that the rate of progress has slowed to a pace not seen in eight years. The slowdown to a culture shift triggered by the conservative movement in the United States, as well as the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision striking down affirmative action at the collegiate level. The court decision caused companies to anticipate similar challenges against corporations. Taken together, these events reduced companies’ commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Because the anti-diversity climate has spilled over to the corporate sector (Conference Board, 2024), it is likely to suppress or reverse years of gender-equity progress documented by the Minnesota Census. Fortunately, this year’s report offers a few actionable insights extracted from the qualitative data collected this year.
President Evans on this Year’s Women in Corporate Leadership Census
This year's report underscores an urgent truth that bold and diverse leadership is necessary. One key highlight from this report is that the rate of progress that this study has tracked for 16 years now is slowing. Factors outside of this state such as corporations' reduced commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down affirmative action at the collegiate level means this slowing progress could come to a tragic halt.
We cannot let that happen. This report highlights companies in Minnesota that remain steadfast in their commitment to advancing women in leadership, and they are not about to let that happen. There's evidence that shows how companies that maintain an unwavering commitment to advancing women in leadership roles see the benefits permeate the organizational culture, proving it is possible for the company and its employees to find success. These organizations prove that prioritizing equality is not only the right thing to do but also a strategic imperative. Companies that champion women leaders create cultures of innovation, resilience, and success--for their businesses, their employees, and their communities.
Women leaders--especially women leaders of color--bring unmatched strength and vision to their roles, often while navigating systems that doubly challenge their progress. Across industries like law, medicine, education, and politics, the standards for women are higher, and the scrutiny is harder. Yet time and again, women rise to meet and exceed those expectations. That is why, at Íæż½ã½ã, we prepare our students to do just that. We teach to a higher standard so our graduates, the future women leaders of Minnesota and beyond, can shatter barriers and build a brighter, more equitable future.
President Marcheta P. Evans, Íæż½ã½ã