Women head for corporate boardrooms

Sep. 14--Women have penetrated the upper echelons of Fortune 500 companies and started their own businesses in droves.

But there's one part of the work force that has scarcely been touched by the so-called gentler sex.

The boardroom.

Now, one organization has set out to change that.

Boardroom Bound, a nonprofit that trains candidates for board positions with classes and seminars, is launching its Los Angeles office today. The firm is based in Washington, D.C., and has offices in New York and Chicago.

"We've been in the kitchen since the 1950s," said founder Linda Bolliger. "Men have been at this 6,000 years.

"You think in 40 to 50 years we can turn this around?"

The company decided to open an L.A. office because of the concentration of businesses and minorities here.

"You are a hotbed of people we want to get into our pipeline," Bolliger said.

The firm's most popular class is a $1,500, two-day seminar that covers all the basics, Bolliger said. Students learn to translate their skills from sitting on nonprofit boards, learn about corporate responsibility under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and hone their presentation abilities.

Boardroom also offers individual coaching and advanced classes. Those who finish the training process are included in a database of candidates.

In the past 18 months, the organization has placed 26 candidates on corporate boards, including Wyndham International and Holland Mutual Fund, Bolliger said.

Those appointments are tipping the scales toward a balance that reflects the marketplace, but there is still a long way to go.

Women hold 16.7 percent of all Fortune 100 board seats, according to a study done by the Alliance for Board Diversity, a partnership of three leadership firms. The numbers are even lower for minorities. African-Americans fill about 6 percent of board seats and Latinos hold just under 4 percent.

In greater Los Angeles, women hold just 7 percent of board seats on public companies, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Many women prefer to serve on the boards of nonprofits, said Helen Han, who heads the association's L.A. chapter.

"Women are very much into giving back to different organizations that they believe in," Han said. "It's in the character of women."

But serving on a corporate board is considered more prestigious and it can be worth thousands of dollars, unlike volunteer spots on nonprofit boards.

Han believes women will close the gap in the next generation. One place where women have made strides is WellPoint, which owns Blue Cross of California in Thousand Oaks.

Of its 16 board members, five are women and two more are minorities.

"Diversity is a very important part of our overall business strategy," said spokesman Jim Kappel. Selecting women and minorities for the board is part of the firm's commitment to providing career opportunities for all, he added.

Amgen in Thousand Oaks has a less-than-stellar record when it comes to women and minorities on its board. Out of 11 members, only one is a woman and it's unclear how many, if any, are minorities.

"There are many other companies across the board ... that still have some work to do," said Amgen spokesman David Polk. "We would be included in that group, but I think we do have a very, very diverse company."

Charts on Amgen's Web site state the company is on par with the pharmaceutical industry when it comes to hiring minorities and women.

Disney has a fair record, with two women and two minorities on a board of 13, according to its Web site. Disney did not immediately return calls for comment.

For women and minorities who want to get ahead, there are plenty of resources.

"There are just gazillions of courses being offered at community colleges, on the Internet," said Judy Rosener, a professor at the Paul Merage School of Business at University of California, Irvine. "If there are some things you don't know, ... it's good to bone up on your weaknesses."

Women, especially, should figure out where they will get the cash to open up shop.

"Venture-capital companies and banks are less likely to loan start-up money for women," Rosener said.

TIPS FOR WOMEN TO GET AHEAD

--Know what you want: To find a company that fits your lifestyle, ask yourself what do you like to do. Do you want to work for a small company or a big company? Do you need a flexible schedule or can you work long hours?

--Get on the board of a nonprofit: You can use your experience as leverage to get on a corporate board.

--Play up your connections: Find out where people you know are working or serving on a board and pitch yourself to them, highlighting what you bring to the table.

--You don't need an MBA or Ph.D: But if there are areas you aren't familiar with, shore up your weaknesses by taking classes in those subjects. This way, you won't feel inadequate and can play up your strengths during the interview.

--Do your homework: Research the company you are interested in and tell them why you want to work for them. Show them why they need you instead of squeezing yourself into a position.

--Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities: You never know when a casual acquaintance might have a lead.

--Look for women-friendly businesses: Check if women sit on the board of directors, if top managers are women and if the company offers the benefits you need.

--Research how to start a business: Use the Internet and the library to find seminars, classes and tools to become an entrepreneur.

--Find the money: Venture-capital companies and banks are less likely to lend start-up money to women. Think about where you will get cash to open up shop, whether it be from friends or your credit card.

--Don't wait for openings: Figure out the city you want to work in and scout the area for companies that you could add to.

Source: Judy Rosener, professor

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