Over the past two years, as I\u2019ve helped build and lead the Advantage Women\u2019s Interactive Network (WIN) employee resource group, I found myself having conversations with other associates who wondered why I am dedicating so much time and effort to this voluntary role that is unrelated to my compensation or performance review. \u201cWhat\u2019s the point?\u201d they ask. \u201cWhy does it matter to you whether women are promoted into leadership roles?\u201d<\/p>\n
There isn\u2019t a simple way to answer these questions.<\/p>\n
One of the reasons my involvement in WIN matters is allyship \u2014 the ability to use my position and privilege (a \u201cscary\u201d word, I know) as an American, middle-class, white male executive to support historically marginalized communities. I\u2019m able to leverage the privilege and power that our society gives to me to help increase opportunities for others. This desire for a higher purpose has led my heart to help women, all women, including those who identify as nonbinary.<\/p>\n
It’s also about fixing a broken rung that has long existed on the career ladder at so many companies. Women still make only 82% of a man\u2019s wages in the same full-time position and women of color earn even less, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. A McKinsey & Co. study, \u201cWomen in the Workforce 2021,\u201d showed that women are promoted to manager-level roles at half the rates of men. Even worse, the small gains that have been made for white women over time have not translated to gains for women of color.<\/p>\n
At Advantage Solutions, we are fortunate our company is committed to prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Our leadership recognizes we must create an inclusive culture to grow and succeed.<\/p>\n
Our employee resource groups, such as WIN, provide a positive, inclusive support system where everyone has a voice. The amount of education, content, resources and self-reflection these groups provide to anyone who joins is incredible.<\/p>\n
WIN\u2019s mission is to help build an inclusive culture and provide community and support to help women grow and lead. WIN encourages women to achieve more in a world that is not equal, while celebrating and highlighting women\u2019s accomplishments, abilities and contributions.<\/p>\n
A strong culture of equity and leadership not only shapes how we work together\u2014it also strengthens trust, accountability, and long-term consumer engagement.<\/p>\n
When I have conversations with others about why I\u2019m so involved in WIN, I\u2019m sure to ask, \u201cHow are you supporting gender equality?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Over the past two years, as I\u2019ve helped build and lead the Advantage Women\u2019s Interactive Network (WIN) employee resource group, I found myself having conversations with other associates who wondered why I am dedicating so much time and effort to this voluntary role that is unrelated to my compensation or performance review. \u201cWhat\u2019s the point?\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2657,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"mrktblog-category":[43],"class_list":["post-2638","mrktblog-posts","type-mrktblog-posts","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","mrktblog-category-people"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n