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California businesses may lead the nation in many arenas, but gender diversity isn't
one of them, according to an annual study by the UC Davis graduate school of management.
the 'Study of California Women Business Leaders' shows that even the state's corporate giants
have few or no women executives or board members, and at the current rate, it will take more
than a century for women to achieve gender equity in the top ranks.
Only one of the 400 California companies in our study actually has as high as 40 percent
women among its highest paid executives and board members.
That one is women's apparel retailer, BEBE headquartered right outside of San Francisco.
This marks the second year BEBE has been recognized as the company with the best gender balance.
I was surprised by the fact that 1/3 of the 400 largest companies have no representation
of women on the board and on the executive positions.
The study reports that greater gender diversity means greater diversity in thinking styles,
skills, and experiences. BEBE executive Linda Vileiko says it's much more.
I think women, girls should be inspired to believe that they can have successful careers
and there are companies that definitely do support women.
But at this rate, those companies are hard to find even as business schools like UC Davis
supply state with new leaders, both women and men, each year.
I'd just issue a challenge to California businesses that they can and should be better in terms
of being mindful of diversity issues and especially gender diversity issues.
For UC Davis, I'm Kristen Simoes.