Bayer’s new Mothers at Work program provides first-time moms with breastfeeding education and 24/7 access to lactation consultants.

Eager to become a global employer of choice, this Pittsburgh-based health-care, materials and nutritional products company is dedicated to helping women grow with the support of its women’s networks. Though just one third of its employees are female, management is determined to see women rise up the corporate ladder. A new HealthCare Women’s Leadership Initiative is designed to help attract and develop high-performing women and has set a goal of 25 percent of women in senior leadership roles by 2012. To help other departments achieve that end, senior managers look at succession plans to ensure talent development is on track; compensation audits are also conducted. To further level the playing field, the company offers alternative work options (telecommuting, four-day weeks, job-sharing), which help employees find the time they need to get everything done.

President & CEO: Greg Babe

VP, HR: Claus Fey

Women managers/execs: 36%

Women among top earners: 27%

Women on board of directors: N/A

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 6%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 40%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: n/a

Women promoted last year who used a formal flexible work arrangement: n/a

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: No