Mary B. Cranston
Mary B. Cranston is the Retired Senior Partner and immediate past Chair of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Pillsbury is an international law firm with over 800 attorneys in 15
ABOUT US
The mission of DirectWomen is to increase the representation of women lawyers on corporate boards. DirectWomen identifies leading women lawyers from around the country who are able to provide the experience, independence, and business judgment required for board effectiveness. Through its various programs, DirectWomen develops and positions women attorney leaders for board service. It also serves as a resource for companies seeking qualified women board candidates.
DirectWomen is a national nonprofit that works to increase the representation of women lawyers on corporate boards. 40% of DirectWomen alumnae have been elected to serve on at least one corporate board.
OUR VALUE PROPOSITION
Research by Catalyst and many other organizations, including McKinsey & Company and Credit Suisse, reveals that companies with women board members, particularly those with three or more women board members, financially outperform, on average, those with fewer or no women board members.
Additional research shows a positive correlation between gender-diverse teams and problem-solving as well as group performance and innovation. In fact, many institutional investors believe that gender-diverse boards are good for business performance. Research also suggests that a higher percentage of female directors is correlated with increased gender diversity throughout the corporation.
Empirical studies indicate that lawyer-directors’ professional judgment, legal expertise, and familiarity with regulation and risk management improve the value and operation of the company.
Through its various programs, DirectWomen readies women attorney leaders for board service and serves as a resource for companies seeking qualified women board candidates. The women lawyers profiled below evidence the types of leaders who comprise DirectWomen’s alumnae and the value they offer to the corporate boards on which they serve.
Do you know a company that is seeking qualified candidates for their board of directors? Find out more information about DirectWomen’s alumnae via our online database or email DirectWomen’s Executive Director, Shawn Taylor Kaminski, at [email protected] or call DirectWomen at (833) 239-6636 for specialized board recommendations.
OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
DirectWomen is pleased to offer a variety of virtual video programs. For the latest registration information, visit our upcoming programs page.
SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR BOARD EXCELLENCE AWARD LUNCHEON
At the Luncheon, DirectWomen presents awards that celebrate diversity in the boardroom and excellence in board service. DirectWomen’s awards include: the Sandra Day O’Connor Board Excellence Award, the Distinguished Alumna Award, the Board Diversity Award, and the Mary Ann Jorgenson Board Empowerment Award.
BOARD INSTITUTE
Each year DirectWomen identifies a small group of leading women lawyers from around the country to participate in the annual Board Institute based on an assessment of their ability to provide the experience, independence, and business judgment required for board effectiveness. The Board Institute provides working sessions designed to help participants develop their value proposition and personal board-search strategies.
SUCCESS STORIES
Christina Ibrahim
Christina Ibrahim is an accomplished corporate board member and global C-suite executive with diverse experience in general management, corporate structure, culture, governance, ethics and compliance, crisis management, Assurance (internal audit),
Rosemary T. Berkery
Rosemary T. Berkery is Vice Chairman of UBS Wealth Management Americas (WMA) and Chairman of UBS Bank USA (BUSA). With approximately 7,000 of the most productive Advisors in the industry and more