Why sponsorship — not mentorship — may be the key to helping women advance their careers

Published Updated 7 Min Read

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Despite more companies presenting diversity and equity at the forefront of their values, women still find themselves underrepresented at the executive level, and are missing out on the compensation and influence that comes with it. 

Less than 11% of senior executives are women among the world’s largest Fortune 500 companies, according to data from marketing communications firm Weber Schandwick — and that trend isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Fewer women held senior and even junior level positions in 2021 than they did in 2019, according to a study by IBM. To make matters worse, IBM also found that only 30% of junior women managers reported having sponsors or mentors, which can prove essential to career advancement. 

Deanna Cuadra
Senior Reporter

Deanna Cuadra is a senior reporter at Employee Benefit News. Her work covers healthcare, U.S. policy and reform, challenges faced by women and parents in the workplace and innovation in work culture … Read full bio


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