How to Improve Women’s Advancement Programs

by Colleen M. Tolan, Deepa Purushothaman and Lisa S. Kaplowitz

July 22, 2024

Illustrations by Jori Bolton

Summary.

“Women’s empowerment” is a common goal of gender-equity initiatives. But what do we really mean when we say we’re empowering women?

Colleen M. Tolan is the postdoctoral research associate for the Rutgers Center for Women in Business. She has a PhD in communication and media from Temple University. Her research interests include interpersonal conflict, civil discourse, and equitable work environments.

Deepa Purushothaman is an executive fellow at Harvard Business School and the founder of re.write. She is also the author of The First, The Few,The Only: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America (Harper Business,2022).

Lisa S. Kaplowitz is the executive director of the Rutgers Center for Women in Business and an associate professor of professional practice in the finance department at Rutgers Business School. She has 25 years of experience as an investment banker and CFO and routinely speaks on issues related to gender equity and advancing women in business. Her TEDx, “Advancing Women by Redistributing the Housework, One Son at a Time,” highlights the need for equal distribution of household responsibilities.

Read more on Gender or related topics Diversity and inclusion and Developing employees

How to Improve Women’s Advancement Programs

Summary.

Partner Center