Mexico City, December 8, 2023.— The Universidad Panamericana celebrated the launch of the book Women’s Participation on Boards of Directors, which represents a collaborative effort between scholars from our institution and other renowned universities in the country.
This publication, coordinated by our university’sCenter for Research on Women in Senior Management (CIMAD), featured contributions from five women who are part of the Panamericana family: Dr. Claudia Ortega, Director of Research; María Fernanda Cuen, M.A., Associate Dean of the School of Business; Regina Guzmán, Head of Internal Communications ; and Cecilia Canal, Vice President, with support from Zara Hernández of the Office of Research.
The event included a panel discussion moderated by María del Rosario Avilés, director of the History of Thought program at the Panamericana University’s School of Philosophy and chair of the CIMAD Council. The panel featured Dr. Fernanda Llego, President of the Universidad Panamericana , and IPADE; Yvette Mucharraz, director of CIMAD; and Daniel Aguiñaga Gallegos, executive director of the Center of Excellence in Corporate Governance.
A Call to Action
According to Yvette Mucharraz, “this book responds to a call to action based on statistics that show the low representation of women on boards of directors (…)”.
“We combine our talents and strengths to light the way for those who are seeking to change this reality; we envision possibilities to open doors and fill these roles that, through experience and talent, women can take on,” she said.
Dr. Llergo also highlighted the French Revolution as a crucial milestone in the shift in the conception of women’s rights as citizens. Subsequently, Mary Wollstonecraft gained historical significance when, in 1792, she published her work A Vindication of the Rights of Women, she echoed these ideals and drew inspiration from Rousseau’s philosophical theories to advocate for equal rights.
He also issued a call:“I am here to invite you to join a new revolution, one in which women and men reconcile the unique qualities each possesses , so that we can speak of true richness—not only in the realm of senior management, but in all areas. A revolution where differences are not seen as weaknesses.”
“No one is perfect—neither men nor women; we are both imperfect creatures, and in that imperfection, it is as if we were looking at a puzzle where we can fit the pieces of imperfection together, thereby gaining a richness that far exceeds the divisions that arise in decision-making, ” added the President.
The Need for Cultural and Structural Change
Furthermore, the discussion focused on how corporate policies should evolve to support motherhood, noting that a one-year maternity leave policy makes no sense if paternity leave is only five days . This underscores the need for cultural and structural change within companies to facilitate the reintegration of women who are mothers.
Another key issue was the adaptation of job profiles in the hiring process and the development of management teams, reflecting the constantly changing business environment.
“Companies change. Maybe today I want a board member who knows a lot about artificial intelligence and all these things we have a hard time understanding, but it’s unlikely that in 10 years that will still be my need—it will probably be something different,” said Daniel Aguiñaga.
Findings from the Project
Some of the key findings in this publication are:
- In Mexico, only 4% of board seats at companies listed on the capital markets were held by women in 2022.
- 23% of respondents indicated that their board does not include any women, and only 16% reported that women make up 30% or more of the board.
- The female board members believe that concrete actions are needed to promote their inclusion.
- There appears to be a lack of awareness among some women regarding the role of building manager and how to become one.
- Strategic vision is the most important skill for joining a board, with 63% of respondents citing it as necessary.
- 70% of female board members hold a master's degree, and 10% hold a doctorate.
- Female board members tend to be younger than male board members; however, they are required to have higher academic qualifications to serve on a board of directors.
Through events and projects like this one, the Universidad Panamericana is honored to lead and participate in initiatives that break down barriers and demonstrate our commitment to equal opportunity and the recognition of talent without distinction. With determination and hope, we continue to move forward, knowing that every step we take is a step toward a more inclusive and prosperous society for all.
