introducing our
2024 IMPACT REPORT
In 2024, only 28% of board seats were occupied by women. We’re here to change that.
founders’ note
OUR MISSION
Since 2020, Women On Boards Project (W Project) has been working to increase the number of women serving on the boards of successful, privately-held consumer companies. When we launched, our mission was to help close the gap and increase representation, at a pivotal time when a series of cultural events led to heightened awareness of existing disparities.
Today, with DEI initiatives being slashed across the country, a lack of parity for women in the workplace and impossible standards placed on women CEOs, our work is more important than ever.
The purpose of this impact report is to highlight the crucial work being done across our organization and the progress we’ve made in 2024. What started five years ago, as a 20-company initiative, has grown to 60+ companies, a network of 7,000+ women and 10 investor sponsors. And we’re just getting started.
- Cassie Burr, Co-Founder and CEO, Women On Boards Project
performance snapshot
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
Women On Boards Project exists to elevate organizational excellence, consumer understanding, and business performance by identifying secret weapons for male-dominated boards of consumer-driven organizations: exceptional, successful women.
We believe:
✓ We don’t have a supply problem… we have a demand problem.
✓ Boards should reflect the consumers they serve.
✓ We need to change the perception of what a strong board member looks like.
A snapshot of our successes this past year to further this mission:
hosted events like:
Women in Restaurants Networking Event in partnership with Baird
Women in Consumer at Expo West in partnership with VMG
candidates
IN THE INDUSTRY TODAY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF BUSINESS DECISIONS ARE MADE BY MEN…
However, women drive 70-80% of consumer purchasing, while only 28% of company boards have women serving as directors. Yet, companies with at least one woman on the board have, on average, higher returns on equity and higher net income growth than those that do not.
Women On Boards Project is continually and actively seeking out highly qualified professional women to occupy these positions, especially first time board members, with the goal of eradicating the term “board ready.”
To date, our community of 64 placements has added almost 50 additional board roles to their portfolios since we helped place them – something we call the multiplier effect.
2024
BOARD PLACEMENTS
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Vanessa Drew
Health-Ade, GSK
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Nancy Pak
Tate's Bake Shop, Colgate, Tom's of Maine
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Kristin Shane
PetSmart, Target, Harry's
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Andrea Wishom
The Oprah Winfrey Network, Pinterest, Tory Burch
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Karin Silk
Qdoba, PepsiCo, Rubio's Restaurants
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Hana Khouri
Topgolf, Live Nation Entertainment, Drive Shack
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Grace Zuncic
Cotopaxi, Chobani, Goldman Sachs
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Meredith Guerriero
Google, Pinterest, Fetch
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Caitlin Landesberg
Strava, This Is Water Venture Fund
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Heidi Cooley
Crocs, Sports Authority
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Michelle Singer
Johnson & Johnson, Lotus Bakeries
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Amy Boyer
General Mills, Health Warrior
“JOINING WOMEN ON BOARDS…
empowered me to become a part of Fireclay’s board, opening doors to serve on additional boards as well. The experience and connections I've gained through this journey have been invaluable in my professional growth.”
- Michelle Arnau, Fireclay Tile
partners
COMPANIES NEED WOMEN ON BOARDS
Having a gender-diverse board improves performance and allows boards to make decisions based on their actual consumer profile, yet despite the obvious benefits and over-supply of qualified candidates, only 28% of board seats are occupied by women.
The W Project exists to change that. By working alongside some of the most reputable consumer brands, we’re actively working to change perceptions, and address the disparity in the boardroom and beyond.
2024
PARTNERING COMPANIES
Two additional companies will be announced in Q4 of 2024.
“I’VE HONESTLY JUST BEEN LOOKING TO PAY IT FORWARD…
to use my expertise to hopefully be able to help somebody else in their journey. What it's allowed me to do, beyond the contribution that I've made, is selfishly, it's allowed me to grow as a board member.”
-Ana Badell, Rowan Board Member
sponsors
THE CATALYSTS FOR INDUSTRY CHANGE
The Women On Boards Project operates on the belief that a supply problem never existed—there are more than enough capable women ready to fill board seats. The true challenge is generating demand from boards seeking women with proven track records of success. As a catalyst for change, Women On Boards Project continues to push consumer investors to create opportunities for these roles and actively facilitates connections that make this progress possible.
“IT’S EASY TO GET BEHIND THE MISSION OF WOMEN ON BOARDS PROJECT...
because we see the opportunity to increase representation of women in the boardroom. What makes them the right partner for us is that they rally around the fact that there is no lack of board-ready women. In fact, every day we’re reminded of just how many incredibly talented, capable women are ready to add value in a bigger way. As a sponsor of their work and the introductions they've made across our portfolio companies, we see firsthand the impact a seasoned operator can have. It's actually part of our job to help catalyze that demand throughout this industry, and an honor to do so alongside W Project.
-Melissa Facchina, Co-Founder and General Partner at Siddhi Capital
how we operate
OUR ORGANIZATION
Women On Boards Project was created by a small network of powerhouse women who knew dozens of other talented women and CEOs who needed their expertise.
The problem: neither group knew they needed each other nor seemed to be able to find one another. Today, the W Project has grown exponentially to include 30+ women and men who proudly volunteer their time to support a common vision: get more women on the boards of privately held consumer companies.
Through strategy sessions, networking events and more, initiatives and activations this past year showed a true display of our collective (Wo)manpower.
our trusted partners
HELP AMPLIFY OUR MISSION
Our partners help further our mission, and without them, our work would not be possible.
looking ahead
WE MUST ACCELERATE THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE
Since 2018, the rate at which women are being brought into boardrooms is slowing. Our work at the Women On Boards Project is and always will be firmly dedicated to addressing the issue of existing disparities, and ultimately to close the gap and increase representation.