When Virginia M. Rometty was appointed to helm this technology company on New Year’s Day, it was another sign to the women who work in this male-dominated industry that advancement really is possible. To ensure that new voices are heard at the top, the company is now expanding its Multicultural Women Reverse Mentoring Program, which allows diverse female participants to describe their experiences to executives at the director level and above. Finding their own mentors is easy, too, thanks to formal and informal initiatives that are offered across the company and by its 140 diversity network groups. High-potential women in engineering, IT and related areas may be selected for the Technical Women Program, which pairs them with coaches and executive sponsors to prepare them for key positions. Every year, 10 multicultural employees participate in leadership programs from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.

President & CEO: Virginia M. Rometty
VP, Diversity & Workforce Policy: Ronald C. Glover

Multicultural women represent…
8% of total employees
1% of corporate executives
5% of senior managers
3% of the top earners
7% of the company promotions in 2010
17% of the board of directors in 2010
 
What percent of the multicultural women employees participated in mentoring? 4%
What percent of the multicultural women employees participated in affinity groups? --