On June 1-2, 2016, Mercer hosted its signature When Women Thrive, Businesses Thrive conference in Washington, D.C. The third annual conference attracted nearly 200 executives, academics, policy makers and thought leaders who gathered to address gender diversity challenges and how companies worldwide can overcome them.
"It's time to challenge the status quo, think differently, and recognize the value of driving growth through women."
Pat Milligan, Mercer's Global Leader of When Women Thrive.
The conference built upon Mercer’s research findings – that leveraging female talent creates economic and cultural advantages for organizations. Both men and women thrive when women advance in the workforce. The event focused on key policy, programmatic, and behavioral changes organizations and their leaders can make to increase female participation.
"The only way to break the gender barriers down is to treat them like they are: a workforce issue and an economic imperative."
Julio Portalatin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mercer
Which of these issues mattered most to our audience? In a live poll, 33% of respondents said that it is important to increase the presence of women in the right roles throughout the talent pipeline. Wellness programs specifically designed for women ranked second in priority (22%), followed by pay equity and data to pinpoint gaps in talent flows (both at 15%) and recruitment of female talent (12%).
As part of Mercer's unique, analytical approach to developing an effective gender diversity strategy, we have compiled a summary of takeaways and actions your organization can take on crucial issues.
For more information or to request the presentation files, please email wwt@mercer.com. Conference attendees can download the presentations from the conference mobile app.
“The whole of the program was impressive - sharing insight, encouraging connection and most of all inspiring positive change.”
“Thank you for an outstanding, invaluable conference that gave me so much value to share with my organization.”
“The quality of the team was beyond any of my expectations.”
“Authentic commentary and insights from leaders as well as tools and resources were most helpful.”
“Really enjoyed seeing the data and the conversation. Most interesting.”
Pam Jeffords
Natalia Campillos
