“Broads on Boards” – women of influence share tips for joining a board

Oct 16, 2012 | Diversity in Leadership

by Tina Edan, Maytree

We know that measurement inspires action.

That is why Catalyst, a leading nonprofit organization supporting the advancement of women in business, tracks women in leadership positions on boards. It found that only 14.5 percent of board seats in corporate Canada are held by women, an increase of just 0.5 percentage points since 2009.

Its response? In March it launched The Catalyst Accord, a call to action for corporate Canada to increase the number of women on FP500 boards to 25 percent by 2017.

A variety of approaches can make a difference. “Broads on Boards” is an initiative led by a small group of influential women who are connecting qualified women with board opportunities, one position at a time. It was just one initiative cited for increasing gender diversity on boards of directors at a recent Catalyst breakfast panel discussion.

The panel, featuring Deborah Gillis (Senior Vice President, Membership & Global Operations, Catalyst), Lynda Bowles (Toronto Audit Partner, Deloitte) and Beverly Topping (former President and CEO, ICD), had some useful advice for anyone interested in joining a board:

Know why you want to be on a board and what you will contribute.
Develop a reputation and visibility as an expert in something.
Network.
Find out what you love doing and connect with relevant opportunities.
Consider joining a board that is going through a challenge. Helping to repair a situation will both develop and showcase your governance skills.

Later this month, Catalyst will be releasing data on the ongoing challenges for gender diversity. Stay tuned!