Innovative Practices to Increase the Presence of Female Leaders on Campus

In this paper, we will focus on how we can close the gap that exists between what we understand to be important and what we practice at our Jesuit business schools, in regards to women and leadership. Specifically, we will discuss what our home institution, Boston College, has done and is doing to bring more female leaders to campus. A question we address here and in our work is, "Why aren't women represented on stages both across the world and in our own institutions to speak about their work in fields that they lead?" A mindset shift is necessary, and we are determined to change the narrative. The Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics exposes Boston College students to female voices that will eventually allow for both men and women to see themselves and be seen as leaders. The Business Ethics program, known as the Portico program, makes hiring and curricular decisions in consideration of gender equity, recognizing the responsibility it has to influence the views of first-year students. Finally, the student groups on campus Women's Innovate Network (WIN), Women in Business, and Smart Women Securities increases students' ability to connect with women in leadership positions by bringing female alumni back to campus.