In a politically charged climate, a Kamala Harris presidency could dramatically redefine the role of women in business. Harris would break historical precedents and promote gender-representative leadership across industries as the first potential female U.S. president. Her presidency could also challenge traditional gender norms and highlight the importance of diversity and gender inclusion.
Throughout her campaign, Harris successfully reduced ex-President Donald Trump’s lead in swing states. The excitement and hopes surrounding her campaign remind many of the 2016 elections when female politician Hillary Clinton ran against Trump. A victory for Harris could usher in a new era of women in leadership roles.
Cynthia Richie Terrell, Executive Director of Represent Women, believes a female president would enable more opportunities for women’s leadership in sectors such as education, labor, business, and military. The ripple effect of such a shift could inspire young girls and women, altering societal norms and expectations about gender roles and leadership. This could eventually lead to a more balanced society.
Despite women-led businesses often outperforming men, women still lead only 10% of Fortune 500 companies. This disproportion is attributed to obstacles like systemic biases and barriers preventing women’s advancement in the corporate world.
Harris presidency: A new era for women in business
However, with more women taking up leadership roles, a shift towards gender equality within the business sector could be encouraged.
Richie Terrell relates this inequality to fewer females serving in government positions, and for many businesses, having more women in leadership results in higher profits. More representation of women in government could better address overlooked female-centric issues. Terrell advocates for female representation in decision-making roles, which could yield more ethical decisions and reduce corporate scandals.
There is an immediate need to encourage more female representation in executive roles. Gender parity is not just about fair representation, but it’s a strategic move for better outcomes and overall societal welfare. A future where women are valued for their unique abilities and skills is a possibility Terrell and many others envision.
Jennifer Jeronimo, CEO of venture capital firm Gaingels, echoes these views. She sees over 80% underrepresentation in powerful venture capital roles as a possible reason for the meager 2% of venture capital grants given to women. According to her, a female president could potentially increase women’s representation.
Harris’s campaign, which is leading the Trump-Vance team among women voters, has seen immense support, especially from women donors. This surge indicates a promising shift towards achieving gender equality in sociopolitical fields and an evolution in women’s standing in business leadership.
