Presenter
Greg Swienton, CEO of Ryder System
Bonnie Schaefer, Co-CEO of Claire's Stores
Marla Schaefer, Co-CEO of Claire's Stores
Program Overview
The
inaugural launch of WEL's 2004 Florida Census of
Women Directors and Executive Officers was the forum
for an active CEO panel discussion on the benefits
of gender diversity. Marla Schaefer and Bonnie
Schaefer shared that when their father ran Claire's
it was patriarchal. Since they have taken charge,
their vision of putting women in decision-making
positions has been realized - particularly relevant
for a retailer selling jewelry to a youthful female
market. Also, they encouraged women directors to
speak out about their accomplishments!
Greg Sweinton shared that if you want the big jobs,
you go where the money is. It means taking jobs
with that kind of responsibility. He acknowledged
that it's tougher for women to break through and
that companies are short changing themselves if they
don't consider women for management or boards
position. He said, "the value of diversity is not
just sex or race, it's the diversity of thought."
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