Bridging Gender Gaps: Representation Across Industries

The American Psychological Association reported in 2023 that “decades of studies show women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, inspire organizational dedication, and improve fairness.” During the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's 14th Annual International Women’s Day Forum, Patsy Sciutto Doerr, founder of Change for Social Good, led a conversation with three leaders on the crucial role of representation in industries where women are historically underrepresented, strategies for increasing leadership roles among women, and the importance of inspiring young girls to pursue those professions.

Empowering Voices Through Mentorship and Sponsorship

Tara Clinton, global wells and geoscience procurement manager at ExxonMobil, emphasized the transformative impact of mentorship in her journey, sharing, "I've had several pivotal moments in time where that soundboard was able to help me navigate the dynamics of corporate culture."

Asha Varghese, president of the Caterpillar Foundation, shared her unique trajectory from immigrating from India to leading the Caterpillar Foundation, underscoring the critical role mentorship played for her. "Having that representation of mentorship and sponsorship, without that, I don't think I would be where I am today.”

Lisa Marie Czop, senior vice president of ballpark operations for the Washington Nationals, emphasized the importance of vulnerability and learning from junior colleagues in industries that are historically underrepresented by women, saying “there’s this confidence in owning your emotions... it's okay for a more junior-level female to articulate how they are feeling in a room full of men."

A Unified Call to Action

The session not only acknowledged the strides made in advancing women in historically underrepresented industries, but also set a blueprint for continued progress. The shared experiences and insights serve as a beacon for current and future leaders, underscoring the significance of mentorship, sponsorship, and the creation of supportive environments for women to succeed in the workplace.

Panelists shared a hopeful vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of taking risks, embracing one's identity, and the power of bringing one's whole self to work. "Take the risk, say yes, and bet on yourself," advised Clinton.