The Boston Club Releases Landmark Study of Women Directors and Chief Executives in MA Nonprofit Sector

BOSTON, May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Club has released a landmark study that looks at the gender diversity of women directors and chief executives in Massachusetts' nonprofit sector. The 2013 Census of Women Directors and Chief Executives of Massachusetts' Largest Nonprofit Organizations: A Benchmark Report is the first of its kind to track the number and percentage of women in the boardrooms and in senior leadership positions of the largest nonprofits in the Commonwealth. The Boston Club has long been a leader in conducting research on women's leadership and the gender diversity of boards and executive suites of Massachusetts' largest public companies. Its new report lays the groundwork for future analyses, which will monitor the progress of gender diversity in one of the state's major employment sectors. Research partners for the project were Simmons College and Mercer.

"Women hold significantly more board seats in major nonprofit organizations, both in total numbers and percentages, than in the for-profit sector, and they serve as chief executives for a larger percentage of the organizations," noted JoAnn Cavallaro, President of The Boston Club and founding partner of DeCava Consulting. "The advancement of women in visible leadership roles in all types of businesses has lasting and meaningful impact on business performance and the economic health of our communities.  The Boston Club is focused on helping to create that impact through research such as this Census, in addition to the outreach and board education we have been doing for many years."

Key Findings:

• The largest 150 nonprofits have total revenue of over $59 billion, ranging in size from $56.6 million to $8.9 billion
• Of the largest nonprofits, 39% are in health care and 34% are in education
• 35% of the 3,149 board seats of 142 organizations in the Census are held by women
• 20% of the chief executives of these organizations are women
• 124 organizations have three or more women on their boards
• Only one organization has no women on its board or in the chief executive position

"The Boston Club's nonprofit census shows that women play a major role in the governance of some key economic engines in Massachusetts," says Beverly Brown, Director of Development for the Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University, and Chair of The Boston Club's Nonprofit Census Committee. "It also demonstrates that the nonprofit sector is an important source of opportunity for women, as well as the recipient of their skills and experience."

About The Boston Club: The Boston Club is New England's premier organization of senior executive and professional women. Its mission is to advance women to significant and visible roles, leading to better business performance and strengthened economic health in our communities. The Club provides community and professional enrichment to over 600 members from public and private business sectors, nonprofits, education and government. Copies of the report may be downloaded at: www.thebostonclub.com.

SOURCE The Boston Club