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MISSING:LATINAS IN CORPORATE

AMERICA

HOPE in partnership with Sempra Energy, sponsored a research effort into the status of

Latinas in California corporations

Two main issues underscored the need for the research:

demonstrated need for women in executive positions in corporations

the changing labor force with a fast-growing Hispanic population. Latinas currently represent 14% of the labor force in the US.

“Missing: Latinas in Executive Leadership in California’s Corporations 2009” Report

Questions presented:

1) What percentage of executive leadership

positions do Latinas in California hold?

2) Are Latinas qualified to assume executive

leadership positions?

3) What factors contribute to Latinas being

promoted to executive positions?

Key Findings:

• Latinas are grossly underrepresented in

executive leadership (C-level) in California.

• Latinas choose education majors and career

paths that do not place them as the most

qualified to lead core business functions such

as finance, operations, marketing and legal.

• Latinas, while aspiring to get promotions, often

struggle with personal sacrifices that

accompany executive positions and the

majority is unwilling to sacrifice family for career

advancement.

96.2%

3.8%

Percent of California CEO's by Gender

Men

Women

Latinas not represented in pie chart

The Reality…..

Yet…..Latinas in California represent 14% of the labor force or approximately 2 Million people.

Source: US Census and Department Of Labor

What Is The Business Case for Advancing Latinas in Corporate America?

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FOR OUR COMMUNITY:

Economic Parity Long-lasting impact Greater wealth creation and distribution Ability to direct corporate resources

FOR BUSINESS:

Tap into a growing workforce Speed up globalization efforts Provide cultural insight into growing consumer

demographic

In business, she who makes the gold,

makes the rules.

One version of the Golden Rule….

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Reality Expanded- National Numbers

POPULATION:Women are 51% of the populationMore than half (31%) are women of colorOf that, Latinas make up 14% of the population (17million)- larger than any other ethnic group and right behind white women at 20%.

LABOR FORCE:8.7M Latinas work in the US (5.7%)Only 3.6 % are working in management/professional positions.Change of 116% in 10 yearsProjection for 2016- 11M working Latinas (6.8%)

In 2016, 1 person out of 6 will be Hispanic in the US.

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More Reality….The Corporate Numbers

Corporate Board Seats:0.78 % Latinas hold Corporate Board seats (Women of color hold 3.1% Corporate Board seats)

Corporate Officers: (board elected/ appointed)Women of color account for 1.7% of all “corporate officers” in Fortune 500 companies (even though women of color account for over 50% of people working in the US) vs. women overall make up 16.4% of corporate officers.

Almost 30% of Fortune 500 companies have ZERO women officers

Source: Catalyst.org

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CEO Positions in Corporate America

Fortune 1-500 CEOs:

3% are women (15 women- none Latinas)97% are men 85% are white males.

Fortune 501-1000 CEOs:

15 women- none Latinas Source: Catalyst.org

2% Growth in women CEOs since 20 years ago

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The Latino “Wallet Power” in the United States

$951 Billion in 2008 ( growth of 350%- 3 X larger )California responsible for $249 billion (26%)

$1.4 Trillion in 2013

Largest purchasing power than any other group

Source- Selig Center-The Multicultural Economy, 2008

Advancing Latinas in Corporate America

Lack of Sponsor/Mentors

No access to informal networks

Struggle with career and family

Lack of visibility

No role models& stereotypes

Common Challenges

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Additional Issues For Latinas In Higher Levels Of Management

Lack of role

clarity

Isolation

Increased work-life

balance stress

Publicity

Professional Image and Demeanor

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Another funny- just because…….

Strategies for Corporate Latinas

Get a mentor

Get a sponsor

Perform above expectations

Look for and accept highly visible projects even if it involves volunteering

Excellence in communication skills- language issues

Connect to informal networks

Understand normative communication rules

Professional image and demeanor

Seek line positions ( P&L related) and retrain if necessary

Choose your company wisely- Working Mother Magazine list

Develop cross-department relationships

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Developing Latinas to occupy executive leadership roles in corporate America is vital to business if companies:

want to tap into the growing Latino market with the largest purchasing power

are serious about successfully navigating the global marketplace

will need to fill jobs in the next decades from the largest and fastest growing demographic group in the US.

CONCLUSION

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

www.wilkatoppins.com 713-621-8588 askthecorporatelatina.com

Speaker • Career Coach • Diversity Strategist