Women are Moving Up the Ranks in Business

Women are Moving Up the Ranks in Business

A series of high profile women have been named to top business positions or have been promoted in the past few days. Are these appointments part of a macro-trend in the region?

Nationally, women are an ever more driving component of the work force, but continue to be underrepresented at the very highest levels – women continue to be just 2.6% of Fortune 500 CEOs.

Women make up:

• 46.7% of the U.S. labor force
• 51.5% of management, professional and related occupations
• 14.4% of Fortune 500 executive officers
• 15.7% of Fortune 500 board seats
• 7.6% of Fortune 500 top earners
• 2.6% of Fortune 500 CEOs

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Chamber Promotions

In Rhode Island, Bethany Costello has been promoted to Vice President of Public Affairs at the Greater Providence Chamber. Costello is charged with developing and directing the Chamber’s public affairs messaging and “overall portfolio of strategic communications to the membership and external audiences with a particular emphasis on government affairs and economic development.” Formerly, she ran their PR efforts.

In addition, the Chamber has tapped Sue Stenhouse to serve as Director of Membership Promotion. In this newly created role, Stenhouse is tasked with helping member businesses promote their business/organization in the marketplace through the creation of segmented events and specialized communications platforms.

Many know from her role Stenhouse as the former head of Community Relations, Constituent Services Director for Governor Donald Carcieri.

Diaz is a Social Woman

At Mediapeel’s Social Women Division, Amy Diaz has been named to be the co-director of their Social Women division. Diaz, a communications consultant, philanthropist, and women’s issues advocate will take on a leadership role in Mediapeel’s expansion division.

“Amy’s unique combination of education, industry experience, and commitment to women’s empowerment makes her the ideal addition to the Social Women executive staff,” said Mr. Gemma.

“In her role as a motivational speaker, she has represented commercial and philanthropic initiatives across the U.S. as well as in Asia and Europe.” Pat Cruz said.

“Amy’s profound understanding of 21st century American women and their marketplace diversity reinforces the standing of Mediapeel’s Social Women Division as the Number One source for marketing, advertising, and public relations campaigns designed to reach female consumers,” said Anthony Gemma, CEO of Mediapeel.