Shaping the Future of Women's Leadership

While the U.S. has seen the number of women in the C-suite increase over the last few years, progress for women at the manager and director levels has been slow.

At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's 14th Annual International Women’s Day Forum, Carmen West, vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, led an expert panel discussion focused on advancing the next generation of women into leadership roles, emphasizing mentorship, education, and organizational support.

Empowering the Next Generation with Vision and Commitment

Kate Maloney, executive director at Infosys Foundation USA, underlined the critical role of education in empowerment: "They [future women leaders] make up half of our population and are deserving of equal attention as their peer boys and future men... investing in their education is the greatest foundation you can give for their achievement."

This sentiment was supported by Dr. Kimberly Wise White, vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs at the American Chemistry Council, who talked about the importance of mentorship: "Because someone did it for me, I should do it for someone else."

Strategic Reprioritization for a Brighter Future

The panel emphasized the need for strategic initiatives to address the educational and professional gaps women face, including enhancing STEM education and promoting growth opportunities. These efforts aim to create supportive environments for women's success, with Maloney's initiatives to bridge the digital skills gap and Johnson's work in fostering workplace cultures that empower women to achieve their full potential serving as prime examples.

A Call to Action for Measurable Impact

Rodríguez highlighted the critical need for measurable progress towards advancing opportunities for women to thrive.

"I would really like to see in 20 years... a society and economy where women, mothers, sisters don't have to take two to three jobs to support themselves and their families where there's less disparity.”

With a collective optimism for a future where women's leadership is integral to business success, the panelists provided a roadmap for empowering future women leaders. This blueprint emphasizes the need for strategies that support today’s young and emerging women professionals for the future of work and to help them reach their full potential.