When the Executive of Women of New Jersey releases the seventh version of its ground-breaking biennial report on advancing gender diversity in New Jersey’s corporate boards at an event Wednesday morning, there will be much cause for celebration.
The report will show that females hold 230 of the 802 corporate board seats in the state, a total of 29%.
And while this number obviously not reflect the percentage of women in the workplace, it is more than double the percentage (14%) found on the first report, issued in 2013.
Progress clearly is being made.
But this year’s event, to be held 8-10 a.m. at the Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park, will come with some concern, too.
The decade of success came with a willingness of Corporate America to participate — to not only ensure its board had greater representation but reports their results too.
Today, the climate around diversity has changed dramatically.
That’s why this year, EWNJ not only will honor those taking the lead but encourage others to participate.
EWNJ officials say their 2025 theme, “Sustaining the Momentum,” underscores their commitment to advancing progress in challenging times.
That starts with leadership at the corporate level.
People such as Susan Hardwick, who served as CEO of American Water, the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., until she retired this spring.
Hardwick encouraged women to stand together.
“I think, as women, we own a lot of responsibility for our own progression,” she said. “I think we’ve got to stand up a little bit straighter and sit a little bit higher in the chair to take on some of these roles.
“I think it’s all in numbers. The more of us who do it, the more confidence we’ll impart on other women.”
Kathlyn Card Beckles, the chief legal officer at Verisk, said the current mood will show which companies truly were allies.
“At the end of the day, companies are going to look at their values and ask, “Who are we? What we proclaim to be on paper, does that show up in practice?’” she said.
“And if diversity was ever part of their values, I think you’ll continue to see it in practice. And for those companies for whom it was never part of their value set, you probably didn’t see it in practice, and it was very superficial and easily shed.”
Of course, EWNJ has long said greater gender representation is not a gender issue, but a leadership issue.
That’s why it welcomes the words of Bob Garrett, the CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.
“I think it’s so important that our workforce, our leadership, and our board reflect the communities that we serve,” he said. “If you think about it from the perspective of gender diversity, 65% to 70% of health care decisions are made in individual families by women.
“So, we really need to have that voice at the table. But diversity of representation is really important to me, particularly as you’re taking care of a state that is very diverse in so many respects.”
Megan Myungwon, the chair and CEO of Panasonic North America, said tumultuous times may signal a call for stronger actions.
“As women, maybe we have to do a better job of educating ourselves that you can do more,” she said. “It’s okay to be ambitious. Self-awareness is important. I do think it’s important how you project yourself.
“And in addition, don’t limit yourself. Know yourself first, but at the same time, don’t limit yourself. Don’t hesitate to dream big and dream wide.”
Don’t hesitate to fight for a seat at the table.
