Women's Presence on MA Company Boards Climbs

Small Progress in Executive Suites, Says The Boston Club Census

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Women now hold 12.7% of the board seats of the 100 largest companies in Massachusetts, an increase of 1.6% from 2011, according to The 2012 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers of Massachusetts Public Companies, released today by The Boston Club. In its 10th anniversary issue, Unfinished Business, The Boston Club reports that the number of board seats held by women totals 108, up from 74 in 2003, when the Census was introduced. While women made progress in the boardrooms of Census companies, The Boston Club reports little change in the percentage of women holding executive officer positions in the largest companies in Massachusetts.

“We take great satisfaction in the positive changes that have occurred this year”

Key Findings:

• Women now fill 12.7% of the board seats of the 100 largest companies in Massachusetts, up from 11.1% in 2011.

• Sixty-five of the top 100 companies now have one or more women directors, a record high and six more companies than last year.

• Over the past year, 45 new directors joined the boards of 89 companies included in both the 2011 and 2012 Census reports. Fifteen of these directors (33.3%) are women.

• Women hold 9.9% of the executive officer positions in the 100 largest companies in Massachusetts, an increase of 0.3% over 2011.

• Fifty-one Census companies have at least one woman executive officer.

"We take great satisfaction in the positive changes that have occurred this year," said JoAnn Cavallaro, President of The Boston Club and founder of DeCava Consulting. "There is still, however, a lot of work to do. We continue to be committed ourselves to getting more women appointed to the boards of companies in Massachusetts and across the country, and look forward to the day that gender diversity in the boardroom and executive suite will be a given."

About The Boston Club: Founded in 1976, The Boston Club is New England’s premier organization of senior executive and professional women. Its mission is to advance women to significant and visible roles, leading to better business performance and strengthened economic health in our communities. The Club provides personal and professional enrichment to over 600 members from public and private business sectors, nonprofits, education and government.

Electronic versions of The 2012 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers of Massachusetts Public Companies are available at www.TheBostonClub.com. For printed copies, please contact Gero Communications, [e-mail].