Do Women Executives Recession-Proof Their Companies?

Women are under-represented not only in the C-suite, but also in the high-potential leadership development programs that would help them get there, according to an analysis of 12,000 leaders in 76 countries by Development Dimensions International. Researchers found 28% more men than women in early-career high-potential programs and 50% more men in executive-level high-potential programs.

The more women on a company's senior management team, the less its share price fell in 2008, according to an analysis of companies from the French CAC 40 stock exchange index. The stock prices of companies led by executive teams with 38% or more women declined less than the CAC 40 average of 42.7%, while stocks of companies with more male-dominated management teams dropped more than the average. Hermès was the only large company whose share price rose (16.8%) and it has the second highest percent of female executives (55%).

Sources: Human Resource Executive and CERAM Business School