As someone who grew up believing I could do anything and then
hit the workplace realities that block many women, I find great joy
in helping companies worldwide make women a higher priority.

It’s not easy to change barriers to gender diversity, but change
will happen. Within the next five to seven years, demographic
shifts will force employers of all sizes to rethink the way they
manage talent. The global workforce is shrinking, 10,000 U.S. baby
boomers reach retirement age every day, and white men now account
for just 17 percent of the educated global workforce, according to
economist Sylvia Ann Hewlett.  A Booz & Co. study suggests
that if female employment rates were to match male rates in the
United States,
overall GDP would rise by 5%.  Businesses that have not
built a diverse talent pipeline will be hard-pressed to
compete.  And that diverse pipeline has to feature women.

So take this day
to honor the achievements of women, draw inspiration from
words of wisdom, and look forward to a future in which women
and men lead side by side.