News that seasoned executive Mary Barra will replace Daniel Akerson as Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Co. is a breakthrough for women in business, says an expert on women in leadership.
“This announcement is truly significant because achieving leadership positions is hardest for women in traditionally male-dominated industries. As the first woman to lead a major U.S. automaker, Barra is breaking another glass ceiling and this is a very exciting development,” says Ivey Professor Alison Konrad. “One school of thought argues that women are most likely to reach such positions when companies are on the verge of decline and that women who are tapped for leadership positions in male-dominated fields are set up for failure. It will be fascinating to watch Barra as she takes over at GM. I’m looking forward to having her prove the naysayers wrong and move the company forward.”
Konrad is available to comment on this development as well as why diversity in companies is good for business.
Konrad has been researching why adding women as board members improves the financial performance of companies. Her research on work and the family also recently earned her the 2013 Rosabeth Moss Kanter Award for Excellence in Work-Family Research from the Center for Work and Family at Boston College and the Center for Families at Purdue University.
To arrange an interview with Konrad, contact Ivan Langrish, Senior Manager Media Strategy at ilangrish@ivey.ca, or call 416-203-0664.
Related Articles
