Taking a holistic view of one’s career is encouraged by this major university, which focuses its budget on programs that help to expand employees’ quality of life as well as their paychecks. Women represent 51% of employees and are the majority of those participating in formal mentoring initiatives and two leadership programs. They are also far more likely to take advantage of the university’s free undergraduate and graduate degrees for employees, and the four free credit hours of nondegree studies it offers workers each semester. If they choose to attend another school, they can access $111 in tuition aid per credit, up to eight credits annually. While employee kids get 50% off tuition at Cornell, they are also reimbursed for up to 30% of their costs at other institutions of higher learning.

President David J. Skorton, MD

VP, HR Mary George Opperman

Women managers/execs 49% 

Women among top earners 29% 

Women hires in 2010 42% 

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 0

Allows new moms to “phase back” into work with reduced hours? Yes

Offers affinity group for new mothers? No

Offers backup childcare? Yes

Employees working flexibly 60%