I did not have a straight path to the C-Suite. It took many twists, turns and set-backs. However, I learnt over the years to keep moving forward and face all challenges and obstacles with a smile. I was continuously told what I could not do, rather than what I could do. I worked hard to climb the ladder in a heavily male-dominated environment, was often the only female in the room, I stayed focused, stayed true to my values and emotions, and succeeded to become a seasoned C-suite executive with a P&L responsibility; a Named Executive Officer at a leading consumer, surgical and pharmaceutical eye health company.

Despite many initiatives, gender diversity in the C suite level remains low today – raising the question: are these initiatives truly working? Female executives appear scarcer at roles with P&L responsibilities, CEO, COO, CFO, Head of Sales, etc. It remains a challenge to overcome the unconscious bias that women don’t belong in these roles. Female college graduates have outnumbered males for a few decades now. Among the S&P 500 women make up approx.. 50% of the labor force. The representation drops each step up the ladder – 35% mid level management, 25% executives and 5% CEOs.

Women need to be courageous, resilient and build strong selfconfidence. To support this, we need to build and support women role models. 70% of girls feel more confident about their futures after hearing from women role models.

–	Christina Ackermann, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, President Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals