Boulder’s female execs share workplace strategies for women

Recently a group of C-suite women business leaders in Boulder came together for a discussion about challenges and recent advancements for women in the workplace today. Women continue to face unique challenges in building their careers, but with the right support networks in place, the challenges are surmountable.

Progress has been made in creating equal opportunity for women in Colorado. More women are earning four-year college degrees than men (24 percent versus 21.8 percent, respectively, in 2014). A favorable business climate has resulted in a number of women starting their own businesses, affording Colorado a fifth-place ranking in women-owned businesses in the United States. More women are in the workforce than at any other time in the state’s history.

Despite these many steps forward, women continue to be out-earned by their male counterparts. According to “The Economic Status of Women in Colorado 2015” report, funded by The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, women age 16 and older earned just 80 cents on the dollar compared with white men. For minorities, the disparity is much greater.

Given expectations placed on women to be meaningful financial contributors, it’s time to take a closer look at how women can be empowered throughout their careers to ensure they become equal players in the workplace. The dialogue among local female leaders brought forward key learnings for advancing the role of women and supporting their career paths:

Keeping women in the workplace is a sound business investment. Unlike men, women often face a stark choice as they make their way in the workforce: build a family or build a career. Many women start promising professional careers, pause to have children, but then have difficulty picking up where they left off and, even more so, making advances.

Peer-to-peer mentoring is foundational. One of the simplest is to create mentorship programs, allowing women who have navigated the career path successfully to mentor up-and-coming leaders.

Flexible work schedules offer balance and career growth. Employers must be willing to explore flexibility in work arrangements to position working mothers for success. Job sharing may be an option at some businesses and could enable working mothers — not to mention fathers — the opportunity to keep their careers moving while making time for families. Another solution could include options to work remotely for part of a work week.

Ask for what you are worth. Women may need to adjust attitudes when talking about salary. A common theme identified was that many women lack confidence when asking for the salary they deserve.

For women, the secret to building a successful career often relies on a strong support network that begins with employers willing to be flexible. The support network will likely be more expansive, requiring mentors as well as a community — colleagues, family and friends — that can be called upon to assist in the many aspects impacting a woman’s career. Working together, such supporters can help women succeed in today’s business environment.

Gretchen Wahl serves as senior vice president and commercial banking manager for First National Denver in Boulder.

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