Despite Progress, Study Finds Women and Minorities Still Underrepresented in Executive Positions

November 23, 2010 - Posted by The Leadership Conference

A recent study by Calvert Investments found that women and minorities are still underrepresented in top-level positions in companies despite their increasing workforce participation.

The study assessed the companies on the Standard & Poor's 100 index based on 10 indicators including Equal Employment Opportunity policy, the scope of diversity initiatives, family-friendly benefits, the highest paid executives, and the corporation's overall commitment to diversity.

The study found that only 18 percent of director positions were held by women, with only 8.4 percent in the highest-paid executive positions. Also, 56 companies out of 100 had no women or Black, Latino, Asian, or American Indian representation in the highest-paid executive positions.