Fortune 500 Boards Gender Diversity

Proof Point

Women board members of Fortune 500 companies increased from 16% in 2010 to 20% in 2016, or 1,100 out of 5,440 total board seats

2010 – 2016

Proof Point Findings

Increasing Women Representation – Women board members of Fortune 500 boards grew by four percentage points between 2010 and 2016, from 16% (856 seats) to 20% (1,100 seats)
Steady Share of Minority Women Directors – Increased from 161 in 2010 to 207 in 2016, maintaining 19% share of Fortune 500 board positions
Key Drivers – Include increasing recognition that differences in perspective, experience and culture promote innovation and better decision-making, heightening industry expertise of women and racial minorities as workplaces and educational institutions become more accessible to them, as well as growing need for companies to improve image among stakeholders and customers by becoming more inclusive

Market Disruption	Workforce Diversity
Sector	Cross-sector
Source	"Missing Pieces Report: The 2016 Board Diversity Census of Women and Minorities on Fortune 500 Boards," Alliance for Board Diversity, http://theabd.org/; AcceleratingBiz analysis
Date Last Updated	March 20, 2017

Related Proof Points

Extent of Global Companies’ Formal Strategy or Policy in Promoting Diversity

March 6, 2019

Global Companies’ Diversity Priorities

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U.S. Gender and Race Representation in Corporate Positions

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U.S. Adults’ Perceived Major Reasons for Lack of Women Representation in Top Executive Business Positions

January 17, 2019

Diversity Trend of Lyft Drivers

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