Microsoft and Google’s CSOs discuss their feelings about CSO Barbie
Microsoft and Google's CSOs discuss their feelings about CSO Barbie
The Complexities of Being a “Woman Leader”
In recent times, one question has repeatedly left us torn between pride and concern: what does it mean to be a “woman leader” in our industry, in the sustainability space, in the C-suite? It is a question that sparks a range of emotions and raises important considerations about gender dynamics and the perception of certain roles.
Let’s start with the aspects that fill us with pride. Women and girls have been at the forefront of leadership in addressing the climate crisis and environmental degradation, with prominent figures like Jane Goodall, Christina Figueres, and Greta Thunberg leading the charge. As women sustainability executives, we find ourselves part of an incredible peer group of other women driving change in this critical area. Given that the climate crisis is regarded as one of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced, it is paramount to have the representation and intellect of women worldwide dedicated to solving this existential issue.
However, as individuals who have experienced careers spanning government, private equity, and the tech world, we are acutely aware of how the “feminization” of certain roles or types of work can sometimes be used to undermine their significance and marginalize the women involved. Sadly, these fears are not unfounded. In a thought-provoking article by Fortune’s Peter Vanham, he highlights how senior leadership roles traditionally filled by women, such as the chief human resources officer or chief communications officer, can often become career dead ends, while roles traditionally held by men tend to lead to clearer and more frequent paths to CEO or other executive positions.
The situation is even more disheartening in the field of private equity. According to a 2022 Axios article, women make up only 34% of entry-level investing positions in the private equity world – the seats of power – while occupying 57% of non-investing roles. Furthermore, as positions become more senior, the gender gap widens, with women accounting for just 9% of investment committee members, of which a mere 1% are women of color. This gender disparity inevitably affects the ideas and companies that receive funding, perpetuating a cycle of inequality.
Reflecting on our own current roles, it is important for us and other women in executive positions to confront our complex relationship with leadership. Being a woman is undoubtedly a fundamental part of our identity, and in a world where gender gaps persist across numerous sectors, we recognize the symbolism and significance of discussing and celebrating women’s leadership. However, it is equally crucial to emphasize that just because we are women in these positions, it does not diminish the importance of the work as “women’s work” in a derogatory sense.
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Fortunately, there is room for hope. A recent Harvard Business Review article titled “The Evolving Role of Chief Sustainability Officers” sheds light on the increasing power and strategic impact of sustainability leaders within companies. In our own organizations, sustainability is deeply integrated into every aspect of our business, from products and technology to customer relations and government engagement. Sustainability is no longer confined to a corner but serves as a driving force behind our companies’ purpose and success.
While there is still progress to be made, such as increasing the representation of women from diverse backgrounds in our field, we are witnessing examples of chief sustainability officers, including women, ascending to top leadership positions in their companies. This is a cause for celebration, but we eagerly anticipate the day when women’s leadership is no longer viewed as something extraordinary, but rather as a normalized and integral part of our workplaces and societies.
Melanie Nakagawa is the Corporate VP and Chief Sustainability Officer at Microsoft, while Kate Brandt holds the position of Chief Sustainability Officer at Google.
The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.
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