Four of WellPoint’s 14 state plans are led by women.

When the CEO shows up at events for female employees to explain how she got where she did—and how they can, too—it makes a big impact. Angela F. Braly, who directs this health-benefits company, recently inspired associates at an in-house gathering called Women Who Mean Business, during which female leaders discussed life at the top. Lots of them are there: Women make up nearly half of the 12-member board of directors and comprise about one third of the executives at the company. “I’m a firm believer in sharing experiences and knowledge with others,” says Lori Beer, EVP of Enterprise Business Services, who oversees more than 50% of the company’s associates.

Chair, President & CEO: Angela F. Braly

Executive VP, HR: Randy Brown

% of senior managers who are women: 45%

% of corporate executives who are women: 33%

% of promotions to manager, senior manager and corporate executive positions that went to women: 62%

% of the top 10% of the company’s earners who are women: 45%

% of corporate executives with profit-and-loss responsibility who are women: 27%

% of the executives running divisions with revenues of more than a billion dollars who are women: 31%

% of executives who report directly to the CEO who are women: 25%

% of the members of the board of directors who are women: 38%

% of female workforce participating in mentoring: --

Women are 31% of the executives at State Farm, up 12% since 2000.

Women have been a powerful force at this insurance company since the 1920s, when they first served on its board of directors, were hired as employees and became agents. Today, the female managers and executives who are identified as high-potential by talent reviews create development plans, adopt stretch assignments or job rotations and get mentored by senior leaders. While many women participate in the company’s Leadership Development Acceleration Program, those in line for senior executive positions join the Executive Assistant Program at headquarters, an initiative that improves their ability to strategize, innovate and collaborate.

Chairman & CEO: Edward B. Rust, Jr.

VP, HR: Mary Schmidt

% of senior managers who are women: 16%

% of corporate executives who are women: 32%

% of promotions to manager, senior manager and corporate executive positions that went to women: 52%

% of the top 10% of the company’s earners who are women: 33%

% of corporate executives with profit-and-loss responsibility who are women: 41%

% of the executives running divisions with revenues of more than a billion dollars who are women: 38%

% of executives who report directly to the CEO who are women: 13%

% of the members of the board of directors who are women: 23%

% of female workforce participating in mentoring: 85%

Every January, New York Life Insurance employees discuss their professional aspirations with management; in subsequent meetings, each pair will revisit the subject.

At this life insurance firm, women comprise more than 50% of participants in its mentoring program. Female managers who want to refresh their skill sets can sign up for its 18-month Career Pathway Certification programs; sales agents or agency managers supplement existing knowledge by taking courses at the in-house NYLIC University. Promising female managers are chosen for the Women’s Leadership Development initiative, which brings them face-to-face with key leaders and offers training to prepare them to become executive officers.

Chairman, President & CEO: Ted Mathas

Senior VP & Chief HR Officer: Barry Schub

% of senior managers who are women: 33%

% of corporate executives who are women: 22%

% of promotions to manager, senior manager and corporate executive positions that went to women: 84%

% of the top 10% of the company’s earners who are women: 22%

% of corporate executives with profit-and-loss responsibility who are women: 12%

% of the executives running divisions with revenues of more than a billion dollars who are women: 0%

% of executives who report directly to the CEO who are women: 25%

% of the members of the board of directors who are women: 17%

% of female workforce participating in mentoring: 7%

61% of the employees who receive mentoring at MetLife are women.

Being able to make room in their schedules for family needs strengthens female executives’ commitment to this insurance, annuities and employee benefits provider. At least one out of every seven associates has a formal alternative work arrangement, ranging from flextime to telecommuting and compressed workweeks. Career development activities are available to high-potential female managers and executives through training initiatives such as the Smith College Consortium for Women. Women represent more than half of the company’s management ranks.

Chairman, President & CEO: Steven A. Kandarian

Executive VP & Chief HR Officer: Frans Hijkoop

% of senior managers who are women: 37%

% of corporate executives who are women: 17%

% of promotions to manager, senior manager and corporate executive positions that went to women: 56%

% of the top 10% of the company’s earners who are women: 32%

% of corporate executives with profit-and-loss responsibility who are women: 17%

% of the executives running divisions with revenues of more than a billion dollars who are women: 0%

% of executives who report directly to the CEO who are women: 33%

% of the members of the board of directors who are women: 31%

% of female workforce participating in mentoring: <1%

Employees at the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies may be chosen to attend an Executive Leadership Council conference exploring the best approaches—not to mention the interviewing and negotiating skills—they need to reach the top.

Women are 63% of the workforce at this property and casualty insurance company, and active networking groups promote their continued success. The Women’s Development Council offers its many members a formal mentoring program, lecture series and biennial leadership conference, while the Chubb Partnership of Women, open to all levels, hosts an annual lunch meeting that finds members engaged in exploring with senior executives the professional choices that have made a difference. As part of the company’s ongoing mission to place multicultural women in important roles, it recently launched a one-year development plan for high-potential executives, while also sponsoring educational sessions on smart workplace strategies. Additional workshops and conferences show women how to increase their visibility, build a brand and accelerate their progress.

Chairman, President & CEO: John Finnegan

Senior VP & Chief Diversity Officer: Trevor Gandy

% of senior managers who are women: 32%

% of corporate executives who are women: 14%

% of promotions to manager, senior manager and corporate executive positions that went to women: 49%

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

% of corporate executives with profit-and-loss responsibility who are women: 8%

% of the executives running divisions with revenues of more than a billion dollars who are women: 29%

% of executives who report directly to the CEO who are women: 29%

% of the members of the board of directors who are women: 23%

% of female workforce participating in mentoring: 3%

Allstate’s Leadership Talent Acceleration program gives female managers a chance to complete three job rotations, which further broadens their career horizons.

“You’ve got to help those you lead find their passion,” explains Catherine Brune, a regional president for this financial services and insurance company. That’s the idea behind its popular Leaders as Teachers series, a set of talks by top talent that helps up-andcoming employees enhance their business acumen; it attracts about 4,000 attendees annually and is a big hit online. Another program, Leading Women Executives, finds attendees devising action plans for their careers and honing their leadership abilities; one recent graduate, Maribel Gerstner, is now president and chief operating officer of the company’s financial services division.

Chairman, President & CEO: Thomas Wilson

Executive VP, HR: Jim DeVries

% of senior managers who are women: 27%

% of corporate executives who are women: 33%

% of promotions to manager, senior manager and corporate executive positions that went to women: 16%

% of the top 10% of the company’s earners who are women: 35%

% 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: 31%

% of executives who report directly to the CEO who are women: 33%

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

% of female workforce participating in mentoring: <1%

Tara is from Brooklyn, NY, and mother to Austin (3) and Tyler (2).

Tara Harrison began her career with New York Life 10 years ago as an accounting trainee and has advanced to her current role of assistant vice president financial analysis. She currently manages a small staff and is responsible for budgeting and financial analysis. She is a dedicated employee and an inspiration to others.

Tara consistently demonstrates her strong work ethic and commitment to her job while managing her family responsibilities, including sons, ages 2 and 3. It’s often a challenge to juggle work and family, but Tara takes advantage of several company offerings that help her to manage her work life situation, including an onsite fitness center, a work life resource and referral program and flexible work arrangements when needed. 

Tara strives for the best for both herself and her family, while performing her job responsibilities at a high level. One executive VP shared that “Ms. Harrison is a model employee and terrific person who is well liked and respected by all who work closely with her. I am impressed how well she can juggle her complex and varied responsibilities yet maintain a good work/life balance." 

Tara has been actively involved in the company’s corporate responsibility initiatives and has served as a team lead for a number of the company’s Volunteer for Life (VFL) projects. She was also a member of the VFL National Council, which was formed several years ago to help VFL expand the volunteer focus from a local level to service projects at a national level. 

When describing Tara, one assistant vice president responsible for the VFL program stated simply, “Ms. Harrison is a star volunteer.” 

 

Michelle is from Glen Ridge, NJ, and mom to Amanda (9), Jake (5) and Kate (4).

No matter the obstacle, Michelle Machemer, director of the Solutions Delivery Group, has an uncanny ability to manage through it, rarely becoming overwhelmed. She is philosophical in her approach to life's challenges and is viewed by many as a calming force.

These skills are honed daily by the working mother of three. Michelle’s oldest child is disabled and in need of special care. Caring for a child with special needs requires an inner calm, kindness and extraordinary patience that speaks to Michelle’s boundless capacity to give of herself.

This working mom balances family and work with an enthusiastic dignity that focuses on the good work she can do and not what is unchangeable. She is "the rock" when colleagues need a shoulder to cry on or reassurance that everything's going to be OK. She has taught her children the value of loving and caring for one another. She carries those values with her each day, inspiring us to be better, to push past  problems and focus on the blessings instead of the burdens.

Michelle is a mentor and a supporter—and always willing to spend the time to listen. She is a true professional and an asset to Horizon BCBSNJ. Those who know her are touched by her inner strength, tenacity and realize the things they take for granted, something Michelle never does.

Hailing from Chapel Hill, NC, Teresita is mom to Isabella (7) and Mariana (2).

Teresita  Maz de Hoffman is one of two committed individuals who make up the Hispanic Relation Team at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. On a daily basis, this bilingual consultant adeptly juggles the demands of motherhood with the demands of translation requests, conducting Spanish open enrollment meetings, planning sponsorships and community events, championing infrastructure improvements for Spanish-language support and actively participating in the company’s Multicultural Marketing Council.

Teresita never misses a beat and has greatly advanced the level of awareness and the quality of service BCBSNC provides its Spanish-speaking customers. Teresita is passionate about her work, which is one of the reasons why she has led a successful career at BCBSNC. Her dedication and commitment show in the quality of her work.

Teresita’s reach extends beyond its members. She is an active participant in her community. She is a past board member of El Pueblo, Inc, a non-profit advocacy and public policy organization dedicated to strengthening the Latino community. She is also a member of Hermanas Latinas, an organization of women dedicated to helping and mentoring college-bound Latino youth. She willingly gives of her time and knowledge to help others in her community.

Teresita utilizes her knowledge to educate others and provide assistance to individuals in her community that may benefit from her business and healthcare expertise. For example, Teresita has used her own time to travel to and follow up with Latinos that are trying to understand healthcare in the United States and pick an insurance product right for their families.

 

Mary hails from Brandon, FL, and is mom to Erica (10) and J.C. (7).

By day, Senior Account Specialist Mary Singletary helps some of Aon’s largest Tampa Bay, Fla.-area clients manage their risk exposure in her role as a senior account specialist. At home, Mary is a dedicated wife and mother to Erica, 10, and John Carlston (better known as “J.C.”), 7. A strong emphasis on faith and family allows Mary to balance the demands of her life as a working mother.

Active in her church and her children’s school activities, Mary teaches her children that giving back offers a dual opportunity to connect with the local community and help keep life’s priorities in check. “I feel like volunteering — whether it be teaching religious classes to kids, cleaning up the local beaches or recycling on behalf of Erica and J.C.’s Green School Project — keeps me grounded on so many levels,” said Mary. “Volunteering reminds me what’s important.”

Mary feels fortunate to have a strong network of friends and family to call on for support. Her sister was one of  her biggest supporters until she passed away from lymphoma in 2008. “After she died,” says Mary, “I had to do something that might help make a difference for people with the disease.”

Mary’s boss had a suggestion. He was on the board of the Suncoast Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and wanted Mary to become a candidate in the 2011 Man & Woman of the Year competition, an intense fundraising competition in communities across the United States. Candidates raise funds for blood cancer research in honor of local children who are blood cancer survivors. 

Mary solicited in-kind and monetary donations from local merchants, collected charitable gifts from her co-workers, leveraged Aon’s matching gift program and turned to her friends and family network in Tampa for support. Through hard work, persistence and knocking on doors, Mary raised more than $20,000 for her local LLS chapter, and received the coveted Woman of the Year honor.

Mary gives as much to her job as she does to her volunteer work. She was recently promoted to senior account specialist because of her dedication to and the hard work she does for her clients.

Says Mechelle Griffin, Mary's manager: "Mary is an exemplary employee, wife, mother and volunteer for her community."