DIVERSIFY Recap: Building More Equitable Workplaces

Despite modest gains in representation over the past eight years, women – especially women of color – are still dramatically underrepresented in corporate America, Jennifer Stanley, Partner, McKinsey and Company, said today.

At the Chattanooga luncheon, Stanley discussed the reasons behind the highest attrition rates by women seen in years, as well as ways to promote the retention and advancement of women into leadership roles.

The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce DIVERSIFY Summit, Presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, took place at the Chattanooga Convention Center. A breakout session led by industry leader Aletheia Silcott, Vice President, Human Resources, Astec Industries Inc. preceded the in-person event.

Stanley addressed concerns raised by a recent McKinsey and Co. study, conducted in partnership with LeanIn.org.

Top takeaways:

• New talent pipeline issues emerge as women leaders leave their companies
• While women leaders are as likely to seek promotions, microaggressions arise at higher rates that undermine their authority
• Women leaders seek more flexibility and look for companies with a commitment to employee well-being and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
• Women who can choose to work in their preferred arrangements – whether remote or on-site – are less burned out, happier in their jobs, and much less likely to consider leaving companies
• The option to work remotely is especially important to women
• Manager expectations have increased over the past two years with higher expectancy toward promoting DEI best practices

Hosted every June, DIVERSIFY is our Chattanooga Chamber’s annual summit aimed at promoting and providing information about diversity and inclusion among local business and community leaders.

Learn about past DIVERSIFY events, here.

Learn about the Chattanooga Chamber’s DEI initiatives, here.