Only 10.4% of the Fortune 500 firms are managed by female Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), according to a recent Fortune magazine article. The stark gender gap in corporate leadership positions at the highest levels emphasizes the urgent need for actions to solve this problem. A substantial portion of the 52 CEOs in these roles, or a major quarter, were appointed during the previous year, according to the statistics, suggesting that progress towards gender equality in the business world may be proceeding slowly.

In response to these alarming figures, Audrey McGuckin's ground-breaking organization "Women on Their Way" (WOTW), which she created just 18 months ago, has risen to the challenge of empowering women in the business world. The company is dedicated to removing the structural hurdles that have historically prevented women from advancing in corporate professions.

Audrey is steadfast in her vision to develop women's self-confidence and inspiring them to dream big as she believes these are the key elements required to close the gender gap. "Women might struggle with confidence issues. The second perspective we observe is that occasionally women don't dream large enough,” said McGuckin. WOTW works with organizations and managers to create an atmosphere that is favorable to women's growth and success, as opposed to the typical approach of focusing only on repairing women themselves.

Sherray Ratcliff, an Associate Vice President of Vault Insurance, is a tangible example of how the corporate empowerment programme of WOTW has impacted her. Six years after joining the firm, Ratcliff has risen through the ranks to become a powerful leader. She stated that it is important to have women around you who support you. She credits WOTW's empowerment conference with helping her accept her leadership abilities and get rid of prejudices engrained in corporate America, which helped her thrive.

Women On Their Way Conference

Distinguished speakers, including Nancy Sung Shelton, the first Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer for Lutheran Services Florida, are scheduled to speak at the forthcoming Women on Their Way conference. Shelton advocates that being true to oneself is a crucial component of good leadership and stresses the significance of authenticity in the business world.

Only 12% of women had always desired to be CEOs, according to the Fortune research, and more than half of them had never given it any thought before someone specifically mentioned their potential for the position. This demonstrates the value of empowerment and mentoring initiatives in guiding women towards leadership positions.

The research emphasises even more the real advantages of gender diversity in business leadership. A McKinsey & Company study found that businesses with diverse gender representation are 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability. Many women are hesitant to speak up for themselves and promote their successes in spite of this potential. Sherray Ratcliff exhorts other women to not be afraid to stand up for themselves and make their worth known.

The anticipation for the Women on Their Way event is high. The gathering, which is slated to start at 8:30 on August 24, 2023, promises to be crucial for supporters of gender equality and aspirant female leaders. The summit, which is being held at the Jewish Community Centre in Tampa, aims to spur change in the business environment by enabling women to embrace their true selves and pave the way for a more inclusive future.