Allyship
HELP CREATE UNOBSTRUCTED JOURNEYS TO LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN
what can you do?
Educate Yourself
You can’t fix a problem if you don’t think it exists. Most women and men in British Columbia believe we have reached gender equality in the workplace, yet our research tells a different story. Women still report having access to fewer opportunities and experiencing more barriers than men. This is the work of Minerva – our education programs, workshops and annual virtual Forum are an opportunity and commitment to create better workplaces for all.
Invest in Women’s Leadership
By advocating for women’s participation in leadership training, you’re helping to accelerate their learning, development, and confidence. You are also actively contributing to the pursuit of gender equity in professional settings. Minerva offers leadership programs that go beyond teaching tactical skills and help enable supportive professional circles and the development of authentic leadership styles.
organizational benefits
WHEN WE INVEST IN WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP, WE ALL WIN
Strengthen culture
Advance women leaders faster by investing in their development
Grow your leaders
Enhance leadership capacity and performance
A commitment to DEI
Make progress toward gender equality
leadership development
WHY YOU SHOULD SUPPORT THE LEADERS ON YOUR TEAM
Ensuring women are getting the critical skills, experiences, and feedback they need to progress is core to any gender equity strategy. Women generally get less leadership training, and more personal — and less actionable — feedback than men. It’s proven that investing in women’s education and leadership development positively impacts communities at a local, national and global level.
partnership opportunities
Sponsor Participants
Sponsor participants to Minerva’s open cohort offerings with discount rates for multiple participants.
In-House Programs
Contract Minerva to deliver in-house leadership programming within your organization. In-house programming helps to develop an organizations leadership pipeline, improve internal networks and communication, and is a clear action to advance women in your workplace.
our programs
INCLUSIVE SPACES FOR SELF-DISCOVERY AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING
leadership
early career
Emerging Leaders
A high-impact development program designed to help new managers make the transition from individual contributor to effective leader.
leadership
mid-level leaders
Women Leading the Way
Our flagship career accelerator that stretches mid-level leaders and moves them towards their next challenge.
leadership
leaders
Bloom Leadership Program
A development program for newcomer, immigrant, and refugee women looking to advance their careers and learn tangible leadership skills and tools.
brochures for employers
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
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A high-impact development program designed to help new managers make the transition from individual contributors to effective leaders.
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Our flagship career accelerator that stretches mid-level leaders and moves them towards their next challenge.
the current reality
THE FACE OF LEADERSHIP IS CHANGING, BUT IT’S NOT CHANGING FAST ENOUGH
At Minerva, we have been measuring gender diversity in leadership in British Columbia for nearly a decade. Our Face of Leadership™ Scorecard has been used to showcase progress in organizations, but there is still work to be done. Our most current research suggests women continue to face greater barriers to success and are still underrepresented at all levels of leadership across all industries in our province.
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in BC, women earn 17% less than men
FOR COMPARABLE WORK — ONE OF THE HIGHEST GENDER PAY GAPS IN CANADA
Minerva BC and Mustel Group, 2023 (Unobstructed Journeys Report)
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only 51% of women believe they have fair and equal access
TO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORKPLACE, AND ONLY 46% FEEL INCLUDED BY PEERS IN LEADERSHIP CIRCLES
Minerva BC and Mustel Group, 2023 (Unobstructed Journeys Report)
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33% of women have had their competency questioned
FACED NEGATIVE REMARKS OR EXPERIENCED EXCLUSIONARY BEHAVIOUR IN THE WORKPLACE BECAUSE OF THEIR GENDER
Minerva BC and Mustel Group, 2023 (Unobstructed Journeys Report)
sponsor future women leaders
WORKPLACE SPONSORS ARE INTEGRAL TO OUR MISSION
Only 35% of women in BC report having a workplace sponsor, but 91% of those who do say it’s helped them progress in their career. Mentors and sponsors can offer valuable support in challenging career environments, and help employees get the critical feedback, skills, and experience they need to take the next step in their professional journey.
Minerva believes in the importance of workplace sponsorship programs for women that go beyond relationship-based mentoring. Your organization can contribute to gender equity in leadership by providing access to powerful sponsors who, in turn, provide proactive career support.
IDEAS FOR ACTION
Encourage every senior leader to sponsor at least one woman to increase visibility
Design mentorship and sponsorship programs using an intersectional approach so they result in career advancement outcomes for all women
Pay for memberships to women’s industry associations and sponsor attendance at women’s conferences and events