Driving Change: Leadership, Innovation, And Investment In A Shifting Landscape
The Forbes Power Women's Summit, now in its 14th year, recently convened in New York City, bringing together influential women to discuss pressing issues, including activism, artificial intelligence, and navigating industries dominated by men, such as healthcare, sports, and technology (Forbes). The summit, led by Executive Vice President Moira Forbes, aimed to redefine the concept of "power" and its implications for women.
According to Forbes, the notion of power can be a sensitive topic, especially for women. During the summit, notable women, including Melinda French Gates and Regina Dugan, the first woman director of DARPA, announced a significant investment in women's health issues. The $100 million investment will focus on research and development in areas such as cardiovascular, autoimmune, and mental health issues (French Gates and Dugan, as cited in York, 2025). French Gates emphasized that women's health is crucial to their participation in education, government, media, and society as a whole.
The increasing value of women's sports was another key topic, with the industry estimated to be worth over $2 billion, up from $700 million just two years ago. The growth of women's sports has led to record-breaking attendance, increased fan engagement, and technological innovation, as seen in the New ← →
The ascent of women to leadership positions in business has been a gradual yet significant phenomenon over the past few decades. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, companies with a higher proportion of female executives are more likely to outperform their peers (Kirkpatrick, 2019). Despite this, women continue to face substantial barriers to advancement, including unconscious bias, limited access to networking opportunities, and a persistent pay gap.
A study by the Harvard Business Review found that women are less likely to be promoted to leadership positions than men, even when they possess similar qualifications and experience (Cortina et al., 2017). The underrepresentation of women in business leadership is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. Research has shown that companies with diverse leadership teams are more innovative, more profitable, and better equipped to navigate complex global markets (Bass & Riggio, 2006). A study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics found that companies with at least 30% female leaders had a net profit margin 15% higher than those with no female leaders (Kirkpatrick, 2019). To address the shortage of women in leadership positions, organizations are implementing various strategies, including mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives, and diversity and inclusion training.
Other references and insights: Check hereFor the 14th year, Forbes hosted the annual Power Women's Summit in New York City this week. Led by Executive Vice President Moira Forbes, the ...○○○ ○ ○○○