2020 Women on Boards conference will be Nov. 21
Can you tell us more about Oklahoma City's fifth annual 2020 Women on Boards conference to be held Nov. 21?
The 2020 Women on Boards: National Conversation on Board Diversity is a national campaign that redefines successful corporate governance and gender diversity standards and creates a cultural imperative for corporate action. The campaign launched in Boston in 2010 and expanded nationally in 2011. Across the country on Nov. 21, thousands of leaders, high-level executives, authors and recognized experts will discuss "How Can We Help Each Other and Seek Allies to Find a Corporate Board Seat?" as well as talk about benefits, obstacles and strategies to increase diversity on corporate boards. Oklahoma City's conversation on board diversity will happen between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Oklahoma City University Meinders School of Business. Other sponsors include Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Heritage Trust Company, Metro First Realty, Purse Power, Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, Francis Tuttle, DBG Construction LLC, Lean In, and Clarity — leadership, training, coaching. Joining me on the planning committee are Kitti Asberry, Krystle Brewer, Carly Davison, Olena Lifset, Lissa Qualls, Deemah Ramadan and Kathy Shelton.
Why is it important to increase gender diversity on corporate boards?
It makes good business sense, as companies with more diverse boards tend to be more profitable, better equipped to adapt to changing economic needs and benefit from better corporate governance.
Saiyida Gardezi is on the Oklahoma City host committee of the 2020 Women On Boards: National Conversation on Board Diversity and a portfolio manager at Heritage Trust Company.
Diversity of thought leads to better decision making, as women on boards bring different perspectives. Research has shown that Fortune 500 companies with at least three female directors have 42% higher return on sales and 53% higher return on equity. The average number of corporate board seats held by women on the 2018 Russell 3000 Index (R3000) has risen to 17.7%, up from 16% last year. This upward trend represents good progress, but still half the companies in the index have one or no women on their boards. Fortune 1000 companies reached 2020 Women on Boards' goal of 20% board seats held by women last year. This tells us that corporations across the United States are making progress. Since men hold most senior leadership positions, it's critical to engage them in this effort.
Who are this year's speakers?
Former Edmond mayor Patrice Douglas will give the opening address. Deemah Ramadan, CEO of DBG Construction, will review the Gender Diversity Index; Natalie Shirley, president and CEO of National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, will be our keynote speaker.
This year's guest for the fireside chat will be Dana Weber, president and CEO of Webco Industries in Sand Springs. Donna Miller, co-founder and CEO of Purse Power, will moderate. The 2019 National Conversation on Board Diversity will be focused on how to help each other and seek allies to find a corporate board seat. The second half of the event will be focused on table topic discussions led and facilitated by Angela Kouplen, senior vice president and chief information officer of WPX Energy and leadership coach Lissa Qualls of Clarity. Coaches and women who have served/are serving on corporate boards will act as facilitators and mentors at each table. They include; Joy Labar, Patrice Douglas, Jacque Fiegel, Alice Frentz, Dana Weber, Angela Kouplen, Natalie Shirley, Trish Bennet, Keren Williams in addition to Lissa Qualls, Deborah Davis, Necie Black, Kelly Gallagher, Linda Clark, Candace Curry, Penny Hampton, Danielle Hoeltzel, Donna Miller, Gina Bertoletti, Jennifer McGrail, Melissa Rutherford, Michelle Roller, Alison NailMalone, Ticki Favaroth, Melanie Thompson Stillinger, Carol Proctor and Jan Moran.
How can interested parties register for the event?
Go to 2020wob.com, click on "Find Out More" under "news from the 2020 Campaign" on center left of the page, and scroll down to Oklahoma City where you will find the link for registration. Cost for attending this event is $100 with the early bird discount that ends on Oct. 31, following which the price increases to $125. The cost for corporate sponsorship ranges from $500 to $7,500 with varying sponsorship tiers and benefits. For more information, contact Donna Miller at dmiller@pursepower. com or Kitti Asberry at kittiasberry@gmail. com.