Employees who participate in the “New Women Rules” sessions held by the Women’s Supply Chain Council at Kraft Foods read a book about 50+ well-known female leaders, then discuss the ways in which its lessons apply to their lives.

When you’re navigating the business world, having like- minded colleagues around to motivate and support you can be vital to your success. To foster a sense of community among its members, this consumer goods company’s Supply Chain Women’s Council and Women’s Sales Council offer regional and national conferences, career development sessions, mentoring programs and networking workshops, all of which increase attendees’ comfort with leadership tasks and boost their odds of advancement. In one program, female managers work with executive coaches to prepare for senior management positions, critically analyzing their performance reviews and growth plans and setting defined goals.

CEO: W. Anthony Vernon

Executive VP, HR: Karen May

% of senior managers who are women: 37%

% of corporate executives who are women: 33%

% of the top 10% of the company’s earners who are women: 37%

% of corporate executives with profit-and-loss responsibility who are women: 33%

% of the executives running divisions with revenues of more than a billion dollars who are women: 30%

% of executives who report directly to the CEO who are women: 27%

% of the members of the board of directors who are women: 27%