The History of Global Women

More than ever before, New Zealand needs its most senior women to achieve their full leadership potential – guiding critical decisions, and becoming role models for our emerging female achievers.

The talent is there...

31% of MBA graduates and 51% of university graduates globally are women comprise 47.1% of the NZ workforce, with managerial and professional women the fastest growing segment
(and accounting for 30% of the market)

... and it makes business sense

A McKinsey report found companies with strong representation of women at senior level performed the best on a range of financial indicatorsRecent Catalyst Global research shows that organisations
with diverse management teams had a 35.1% higher Return
on equity

... but we are failing to harness it

In NZ women hold 19% CEO/MD positions – down from 22% in 2006
In NZ Women hold 8.65% (54 out of 624) Board of Director positions on NZSX
NZ ranks 10th globally in female representation in business management – down from 4th in 2004

A group of business women had the vision for and belief that:

New Zealand's nationally and globally successful, influential women leaders needed a forum to serve as a catalyst for change, and to mobilise a community of inspirational and ambitious women leaders by raising the ceiling of New Zealand business activity and further connecting leaders (corporate, professional, creative, public, national and global) there is the basis for competitive advantage and a model for working with the world's best.

Out of this vision and belief a Global Women business case was developed, and a board with influential leadership and passion was recruited to establish and lead the organisation.