Suzy Whaley’s Post

Leaders, HR professionals, and anyone invested in female empowerment: The link between sports participation and leadership success for women is undeniable. Our new blog post explores how sports shape female leaders and why investing in girls' athletics matters. #femaleladership #womeninsport #genderequality Let's start a discussion! How can we encourage more girls to stay in the game? https://lnkd.in/gFMk6-UC

Yes 👏🏼. Play to Lead. As Shania says "Let's go girls!" But, wait.... Do those leadership positions we prepare women for ACTUALLY exist for women? In business or in sports? With only 4 out 10 head coaches in women's college sports being women, we have to understand why. And it's time to figure out how we move the needle. We have so 👏🏼much 👏🏼work to do still. #womeninleadership #womenwholead #movetheneedle #women #playtolead

Did you see that our breakthrough new research report titled “Play to Lead: The Generational Impact of Sport on Women’s Leadership"? The report is the first of its kind to survey seven generations of women in their 20’s, 30’s, and up to 80’s, exploring the effects of policy-driven changes, most notably the passage of Title IX in 1972, and dives into the barriers that have impeded full and sustained sport participation across the decades. Play to Lead is the latest proof point – and a call to action for all to prioritize youth sport participation – that the skills, traits and experiences girls learn through the transformative power of sport, have the ability to build a vibrant leadership pipeline that benefits society and bolsters the economy. #girls #sports #leadership https://lnkd.in/e3raBrw9

Yesterday was one of the most highly-anticipated WNBA season openings in the league’s history. 🏀🌟 This is largely thanks to Caitlyn Clark who has emerged as a symbol of empowerment and possibility. Her exceptional skills, media coverage, and public recognition represent what can be called “The Caitlyn Clark Effect,” a phenomenon, seen through the lens of behavioral science frameworks, suggests her visibility and success could potentially draw in a generational shift in attitudes towards women in sports, business, and leadership roles. Social Identity Theory and the Role Modeling framework in behavioral science illustrate how Caitlyn Clark’s success in a male-dominated sport boosts group pride among women and reshapes their perceptions of achievable goals. Every dribble, every point scored, and every game won by Caitlyn under the spotlight not only challenges gender biases but also expands what women see as possible across various domains. Aspiring female leaders can draw parallels between Caitlyn’s perseverance and leadership on the court to business, shifting the goalposts of expectations and influencing their career and leadership choices. The potential ripple effects of Caitlyn’s success can show how success in one arena can ‘Caitalyze’ far-reaching changes, paving the way for the next generation of women leaders. Join us in celebrating and supporting the rise of women in every field. Let's harness the power of “The Caitlyn Clark Effect” to drive change and inspire new heights of achievement. Throughline is proudly women-owned and dedicated to empowering future leaders. Together, we can challenge norms and redefine possibilities! #CaitlynClark #CaitlynClarkEffect #Basketball #WMBA #WomenInSports #Empowerment #WomenInLeadership #BreakingBarriers #RoleModel #WomenOwned #Inspiration #FutureLeaders #BehavioralScience #ChangingTheGame #FemaleLeaders #Throughline #ThroughlineStrategy

Our 2024 Girls’ Aspirations Survey revealed that 9 out of 10 girls wanted more chances to connect with and learn from female role models. Here’s where girls want to connect with more incredible women leading the way: STEM Business/Entrepreneurship Healthcare/Medicine Arts/Creative Fields Social Work/Non-Profit Education Law How are we making sure this happens? ⬇️ ✅ We recruit thousands of ordinary women globally to volunteer as role models across all sectors. ✅ We partner with a wide range of progressive organisations to inspire girls through events, from speed networking sessions to leadership workshops. ✅ We run global social media campaigns, like #ThisLittleGirlIsMe, where thousands of women share the advice they’d give their younger selves. We’re so proud of the progress we have made so far. But we’ve still got a way to go! Follow us on our journey to connect over a million girls with female role models by 2026 💛

In a recent opinion piece for the Montreal Gazette, Concordia University deans Anne-Marie Croteau, Annie Gérin, and Pascale Sicotte have shed light on an alarming trend: the decline of women in leadership positions within academia since the start of the pandemic. This revelation serves as a critical wake-up call for all of us, especially those in positions of influence and decision-making in the academic world. The deans’ observations highlight a fragile progress that cannot be taken for granted. As they rightly point out, the decline in women's representation in leadership is not due to a singular cause but stems from a complex web of factors. These include systemic biases, lack of mentorship, and the ever-persistent challenge of balancing professional and personal life. This piece is a crucial reminder that while strides have been made towards gender equality in leadership, these gains are not immune to erosion. It prompts a reflection on the inclusivity of our institutions and the measures we're taking (or failing to take) to support and nurture female leadership. The call for mentorship programs, policy changes to support work-life balance, and the recognition of diverse leadership styles is not just timely but necessary. These measures are not only about fairness but are strategic imperatives for the enrichment and advancement of our academic institutions. Diverse leadership brings diverse thought, fostering innovation and resilience. As a community of academics, professionals, and leaders, we must take this moment to reflect critically on our roles in either contributing to or dismantling these barriers. How are we actively supporting the women around us? Are our institutions genuinely inclusive, or are there policies that inadvertently penalize or deter women from leadership roles? What can we do differently, starting today, to ensure a more equitable future? This piece is a call to action for all of us to engage in meaningful change. Let’s work towards creating an environment where the next generation of women leaders is nurtured, supported, and thriving. The decline observed by Deans Croteau, Gérin, and Sicotte is not just their challenge; it's ours. As we share this reflection, let’s commit to being part of the solution, ensuring that the progress made towards gender equality in leadership continues to grow, not diminish.

The Monday motivational reminder that we need to kick off #WomensHistoryMonth on a high note. 👏🏼💪🏼 According to an ESPN / EY study, women who participated in sports in school are more likely to graduate from college, and women increase their odds of landing leadership positions when they have a background in athletics. Girls also develop lifelong valuable relationships during their sports careers. #FemaleEmpowerment #WomenOwnedBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneurs

🚨The reality of leadership inequality for Black Women… 📌𝟰.𝟲% of UK leadership roles are held by people of Black, Asian, or minority ethnic backgrounds 📌Over 𝟱𝟬% of Black women in the UK have quit jobs due to racial inequalities 📌In 2023, only 𝟭𝟬.𝟰% of Fortune 500 companies were led by women … and just 𝟮 of them were Black. 📌𝟴𝟰% of marketing professionals in the UK identify as white You might find these statistics shocking, but as Black women, we’ve seen these barriers up close. These numbers aren’t just statistics - they represent real obstacles and systemic challenges that must be addressed. 🍭𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻🍭 lollipop mentoring, founded by Maria McDowell, is on a mission to empower Black women into leadership roles and build a supportive industry network. Our tailored mentorship programs are designed to create opportunities and guide Black women in overcoming these barriers to achieve their full potential. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲—𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲! Sign up to join our new upcoming mentoring cohort this November. As a mentor, or a mentee, your participation is crucial in driving diversity in our industry. Be part of the change 🔗 [SIGN UP] https://lnkd.in/eCJmQRMw #BlackWomeninmarketing #lollipopmentoring #mentoringmatters #BlackWomenlead #sendtheladderdown

"Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” - Michelle Obama, Former First Lady of the United States Introducing our latest edition showcasing pragmatic women leaders in education! Join us in exploring the newest issue titled "Pragmatic Women Leaders in Education 2024," spotlighting remarkable leaders from both K12 and higher education. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gm5mCWG9 #womenleaders #Education2024 #womeninleadership #womenleadership #womenleaders #theacademicinsights #AcademicInsights

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