In a study on women and advancement, this pharmaceutical company sought to explain why more female employees weren’t moving into its most senior positions. Out of this effort grew its strategy-focused Global Advancement of Women Steering Group. Among the women who have recently scored big promotions are Marion McCourt, the former president and CEO of AstraZeneca Canada, named chief operating officer for the U.S. business, and Linda Palczuk, VP of sales and marketing, who now also oversees business development, procurement and commercial strategy.

President, AstraZeneca US & CEO, North America: Richard Fante

Executive VP, HR & Corporate Affairs: Lynn Tetrault

% of senior managers who are women: 40%

% of corporate executives who are women: 29%

% of promotions to manager, senior manager and corporate executive positions that went to women: 53%

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

% of corporate executives with profit-and-loss responsibility who are women: 50%

% of the executives running divisions with revenues of more than a billion dollars who are women: 43%

% of executives who report directly to the CEO who are women: 43%

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

% of female workforce participating in mentoring: 2%

Helping moms achieve a balance between their personal and professional lives is important to this pharmaceutical firm. After surveys revealed that its employees desired more emphasis on work life balance, it reviewed its procedures and began taking aggressive steps to root out low-value, time-wasting work. Managers prioritized assignments, streamlined their teams’ daily routines and scheduled workplace discussions with direct reports. The CONNECT Mentoring program, which facilitates career growth for women and people of color, was introduced; initiatives to help employees relax sprang up, from lunch-and-learns on handling stress to fitness and meditation sessions. Special events for women, parents and caregivers allowed moms to bond.

President, AstraZeneca U.S. & Regional VP, North America Richard Fante  

VP, HR North America Jayne Stanier

Women managers/execs 48% 

Women among top earners 39% 

Women hires in 2010 54% 

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 6 

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 66%

AstraZeneca’s 2009 workshop on “Relieving Caregiver Stress” taught yoga and meditation techniques to employees with eldercare responsibilities.

Working moms at this pharmaceutical firm enjoyed last year's pilot of its Total Leadership program, an initiative that used guided exercises and group coaching to help participants prioritize and rebalance their lives. Moms still continue to benefit from the advice of the Working Parents Network, which hosts programs on family-friendly topics such as meal planning and managing home finances. If they need child care, parents can turn to an on-site facility at headquarters or use the firm's affordable backup-care program. Peer mentoring is provided by the Success Circles initiative, featuring 21 small groups made up of employees of different ages, ethnicities and job functions. Resilience training teaches workers to manage change and cope with challenges; last year, 1,161 people attended sessions, with even more accessing them online.

President, AstraZeneca U.S. & Regional VP, North America Richard Fante

Senior Manager, Work-Life Andrea Moselle

Women managers, senior managers and corporate execs 47%

Women among top earners 38%

Women on board of directors 25%

Women corporate executive hires in 2009 0%   

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year* 9%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year* 40%

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement 3%

Do formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance? Yes

*Percentages reflect number of women participants versus company’s total female workforce.