The UC Davis Graduate School of Management in partnership with the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and Executives publishes the annual “UC Davis Study of California Women Business Leaders: A Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers.”

Our fourth annual study details the presence of women at the very top of the 400 largest publicly held corporations headquartered in the state. Our findings paint a disappointing picture of female representation on the boards and in the executive suites of these high-profile companies.

It’s clear that women continue to be an untapped resource. The same innovative thinking that drives the world’s eighth largest economy is not propelling women into top leadership positions at the largest public companies in the Golden State.

Key Findings of 2008 Study (published Nov. 17, 2008)

• Women hold only 10.9% of the board seats and top executive officer positions, virtually unchanged from last year.
• 177 (nearly 30%) of California’s 400 largest public companies have no women in a top executive position or on the board of directors.
• Essentially half — 48.5% — of the 400 companies have no woman among their executive officers.
• 47% percent have no woman in the boardroom.
• Only 13 of these 400 companies have a woman CEO.

Media Release and Video

• UC Davis Press Release and Video Clip (Nov. 17, 2008)

Selected Press Coverage and Blog Posts

• Sacramento Bee (Nov. 17, 2008)
• Sacramento Bee: Op-Ed by Dean Nicole Woolsey Biggart (Nov. 17, 2008)
• Los Angeles Times (Nov. 17, 2008)
• San Francisco Chronicle (AP wire story, Nov. 17, 2008)
• San Jose Mercury News (Nov. 17, 2008)
• NBC Bay Area (Nov. 17, 2008)
• Los Angeles Business Journal (Nov. 17, 2008)
• California Progress Report (Nov. 17, 2008)
• News on Women blog (Nov. 18, 2008)
• The Institute on Women blog (Nov. 18, 2008)
• San Francisco Chronicle – Andrew Ross Business Column (Nov. 24, 2008)
• CNNMoney/Fortune – Apple 2.0 blog (Nov. 24, 2008)
• Orange County Register – Jan Norman blog (Dec. 1, 2008)
• San Jose Business Journal (Mar. 6, 2009)
• Fast Company blog (Mar. 8, 2009)
• Future Women Leaders blog (Apr. 2, 2009)

UC Davis Study of California Women Business Leaders: Archives

• View 2007 Study and Press Coverage
• View 2006 Study and Press Coverage
• View 2005 Study and Press Coverage

The InterOrganization Network

UC Davis Graduate School of Management and the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and Executives have partnered to join ION, the InterOrganization Network. ION is a consortium of 12 regional organizations in the U.S. that advocate that advocate for the advancement of women to positions of power in the business world, especially to boards of directors and executive suites of public companies. These organizations, often in collaboration with a university partner, publish annual census reports on the status of women directors and executive officers in public companies in their respective geography.

• Download ION’s 2008 report

Other ION members:

• The Board of Directors Network in Atlanta
• The Boston Club
• The Chicago Network
• The Forum for Executive Women in Philadelphia
• Inforum Center for Leadership in Detroit
• Women Executive Leadership in Fort Lauderdale
• Milwaukee Women inc
• CABLE in Tennessee
• The Central Exchange in Kansas City
• Financial Women’s Association of New York
• Network 2000 in Baltimore

Resources and Related Links

• Forum for Women Entrepreneurs & Executives (FWE&E) – FWE&E is the definitive community for professional women leaders in the San Francisco Bay area. It connects exceptional women leaders with people and ideas that enhance their impact on the world. For women who have achieved professional success, FWE&E expands horizons and perspectives by facilitating collaboration and fostering deep connections between members.
• Professional BusinessWomen of California – A nno-profit organization designed to meet the leadership, skill and networking needs of California women throughout their careers and across industries.
• State of California Commission on the Status of Women – Established in 1965, the only state agency specifically dedicated to protecting the interests of California women. The commission works to ensure that women have equal rights and opportunity and that enacted legislation does not discriminate against women or otherwise undermine their status or their opportunities.
• Catalyst – A national research and advisory organization working with businesses and the professions to build inclusive environments and expand opportunities for women at work.