Addressing systemic inequality is a complex, multifaceted, and often behemoth task that we attempt to tackle from multiple vantage points. Organizations often approach workplace equity as one of many discrete goals. In practice, however, alleviating the effects of inequities requires a shift in organizational culture, including fundamentally reworking value systems and decision-making frameworks to cultivate the best environment for employees of all backgrounds. In this edition of the RGE Report, we’ll discover how insights from behavioral economics can re-shape our workplaces. We examine research from HBS Professors John Beshears and Katherine B. Coffman and unpack key takeaways for closing gaps between majority and underrepresented groups. [...]

Over her 35-year career, Sanchez has a track record of successfully scaling large businesses, navigating digital transformations, and building thriving partner ecosystems. Specializing in marketing, strategy, and business development, her experience spans global enterprises, digital startups, nonprofits, and higher education. Today, she is the Founder and CEO of Digital Impact, an innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership consultancy. When asked about her journey to board service, she’s clear and intentional: “I always knew I’d be on corporate boards. From the outset, I had it as an ambition that I’d join a public board, so I took advantage of opportunities in corporate America to learn and grow, lead committees, and get out of my comfort zone.” [...]

As active members of Harvard Business School’s Board Diversity Network, Lara Druyan (MBA 1994) and Ann Lucena (MBA 2012) want more alumni, especially women and other leaders from underrepresented groups, to pursue board service. For both, board service is a fulfilling extension of their leadership journeys, and they are passionate about encouraging others to apply their experience and expertise to these important roles. [...]

As gender equity scholars, the moment is ripe for us to delve into research that illustrates the state of working women today. November, at the 2024 HBS Women’s Leadership Summit, Nobel Prize winner Professor Claudia Goldin presented her research on how the women’s movement in the United States led to today’s economic and financial freedoms. This look at the past gave us necessary insight into the forces that brought us to this moment, and what we can learn in order to continue our struggle toward an equitable world. [...]

Our faculty co-chair emerita, Robin J. Ely, has researched gender and work for over 40 years, and has facilitated broad research projects to examine how women and the workplace have shaped each other across several decades. Knowing that HBS women are ambitious, talented, and highly successful, her longitudinal study of HBS alumni shows us how systemic inequality can still affect women, even when there is underlying parity in education and skill. [...]