Leading the Way: How San Diego’s Top Companies Are Advancing Women in Leadership

Written by: Ashley Vergara

Contributor: Marissa Camarillo 

Introduction

In the Antorge Group’s search to highlight and celebrate companies making strides in leadership and gender equity, this article explores organizations that are setting examples in their respective industries. Women make up nearly half of the global workforce, it's startling to see how few have risen to the highest levels of leadership. This article is part of a mini-series aimed at showcasing the efforts of companies headquartered in San Diego that are leading the way in gender equity and diversity. Initially we used Artificial Intelligence, particularly ChatGPT for curating this list. We asked ChatGPT to identify ten prominent San Diego-based organizations known for their leadership and diversity efforts. For this project, we narrowed down the list to these five key organizations: Teradata, UC San Diego Health, Illumina, Sempra, and ResMed. These companies particularly stood out to us and were chosen for their commitment to empowering women and fostering inclusive leadership environments. This article provides an in-depth look at the research behind the mini-series, explaining how and why these organizations were selected, and offering insights into their strategies for advancing women in leadership roles. 

Methodology

Our research centered on selecting companies based in San Diego with a strong focus on leadership diversity, particularly in promoting women in senior roles. Publicly available reports, diversity and inclusion statements, and company performance in gender equity initiatives were used to assess and choose the organizations. The criteria included leadership representation, the effectiveness of gender equity programs, and partnerships supporting workplace diversity. While the mini-series focuses on visual storytelling, this article serves as an informative companion, diving deeper into the data and rationale behind our selections.

Findings

When ranking these companies, we prioritized the percentage of women holding C-suite positions, which reflects their commitment to gender equity in leadership. Based on our research, Teradata leads the way with 62.5% of its C-suite occupied by women, setting a remarkable standard in a male-dominated industry. UC San Diego Health follows with 48.3%, demonstrating strong representation in healthcare leadership. Illumina ranks third at 43%, while Sempra closely follows with 42% of its executive team comprising women. Lastly, ResMed, although making strides in diversity, ranks fifth with 25% female representation in its C-suite. This ranking highlights how each company is contributing to advancing women in leadership and signals where additional progress is still needed.

As we delve deeper into the specific efforts of these companies, Teradata stands out as a prime example of how tech leaders can drive meaningful change in gender equity, setting the stage for broader industry transformation. Teradata, a leading provider of database and analytics-related software, products, and services, has made significant strides in promoting gender equity within the tech industry. In an industry where women are still vastly underrepresented—making up only 27% of the computing workforce and holding just 24% of executive (c-suite) positions, according to a 2023 report by the National Center for Women & Information Technology—Teradata’s proactive efforts stand out as a beacon of progress.

Remarkably women make up 62.5% of Teradata's C-Suite and lead executive roles, 5 out of a total of 8 roles, a significant achievement in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Women are exceeding the industry standard and hold 3 out of 9, or 33%, of the seats on Teradata's Board of Directors, ensuring diverse perspectives in the company's governance. This balanced leadership reflects the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion, with their female executives playing pivotal roles in shaping Teradata’s strategic direction and fostering a culture of innovation. Teradata also collaborates with organizations such as Anita B.org, which focuses on advancing women in technology.

Teradata’s efforts to lead by example in gender equity were recently highlighted at the UBS Women in Tech Summit on June 12, 2024. During the summit, Teradata presented a webcast showcasing the company’s ongoing initiatives and progress in creating a more inclusive work environment. This public commitment to fostering gender diversity underscores the company’s dedication not only to achieving internal equity but also to contributing to the larger industry goal of closing the gender gap in tech. 

UC San Diego Health, a leading academic health system in Southern California, is making significant strides in promoting gender equity within the healthcare sector. Despite the higher overall gender diversity in healthcare, challenges persist, particularly in leadership roles. The World Health Organization reports that while women make up nearly 70% of the global health and social workforce, they occupy only about 25% of senior roles.

UC San Diego Health is actively addressing these disparities, with women constituting 48.3% of its executive leadership team, including CEO Patty Maysent. This notable representation reflects the institution’s commitment to gender equity at the highest levels of leadership. The executive team’s focus on innovation, inclusivity, and patient-centered care is driving the organization’s strategic vision.

To support and advance women within the organization, UC San Diego Health has implemented several leadership programs and initiatives aimed at fostering growth into senior roles. They have collaborations with national organizations, such as the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA). UC San Diego Health has also established the Women in Health Sciences (WIHS) Committee which highlights their dedication to gender equity. These partnerships are instrumental in providing networking opportunities, mentorship, and professional development for women in healthcare, further reinforcing UC San Diego Health’s role as a leader in promoting gender equity in the industry.

Ilumina was next in the list and part of our top three companies with 43% of women represented within their C-suite positions, six out of fourteen members are women to be exact. The C-Suite titles held by women within this executive team include: Chief Information Officer, Chief People Officer, Head of Region—Americas, and Vice President of Investor Relations among others. The board of directors currently holds a respectable 36% female representation, with four out of eleven women claiming a position on the board.

Sempra was listed as top four out of the five companies, with an inspiring 42% of women representing positions within C-suite, eight out of nineteen individuals to be accurate. These titles include Chief Financial Office, Chief Legal Counsel, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs, Vice President, Investor Relations, and Vice President, People and Culture and Chief Diversity Officer. Women are also highly represented within Sempra’s board of directors at 36%.

Rounding out our top five list is Resmed, with 25% of women possessing executive leadership roles within their C-suite, four women out of sixteen representatives. These titles include Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Quality Officer,Chief people officer, and Chief Investor Relations Officer. Their board of directors is slightly higher at 30% women filled positions, three women out of a group of ten individuals.

Conclusion

As we continue to review gender equity in leadership among San Diego-based companies, it’s crucial to acknowledge both the achievements and the ongoing challenges faced by the industry. While Teradata and UC San Diego Health are leading the charge with significant female representation in their executive teams—62.5% and 48.3% respectively—other notable companies in the region, such as Northrop Grumman, Hologic, and ServiceNow also contribute to the broader landscape of diversity in their respective industries. Despite not being headquartered in San Diego they have substantial operations in the area and are similarly making strides in promoting gender equity, reflecting a growing commitment across the sector.

Recognition of the progress made by Teradata, UC San Diego Health, and their peers is essential. These companies exemplify the positive impact that dedicated initiatives and inclusive leadership can have on advancing women into senior roles. However, the journey towards full gender parity is far from complete. Continued efforts are needed to address the remaining disparities and ensure that all women have equal opportunities to rise to leadership positions across all industries.

In celebrating the successes of Teradata, UC San Diego Health, and others, we also underscore the importance of maintaining momentum in gender equity initiatives. By highlighting their achievements, we hope to inspire other organizations to follow suit and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future for women in leadership.

References

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2. Teradata Leadership Team and Innovators | Teradata. (2024, July 4). https://www.teradata.com/about-us/leadership

3. Teradata Board of Directors | Mike Gianoni, Chairman. (2024, May 1). https://www.teradata.com/about-us/corporate-governance/board-of-directors

4. 24 companies advancing women in Computing | AnitaB.org. (2020, August 2) AnitaB.org. https://anitab.org/profile/24-companies-advancing-women-in-computing/

5. RTTNews. (2024, June 12). Teradata to present at UBS Women in Tech Summit; webcast at 11:00 AM ET. Nasdaq. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/teradata-present-ubs-women-tech-summit-webcast-11-00-am-et

6. Health Workforce (HWF). (2021, June 7). Closing the leadership gap: gender equity and leadership in the global health and care workforce. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240025905

7. Leadership Team | UC San Diego Health. (n.d.). UC San Diego Health. https://health.ucsd.edu/about-us/leadership/

8. UCSD Center for Student Involvement - Student Organization Registration. (2023). https://studentorg.ucsd.edu/Home/Details/16526

9. Women in health sciences. (n.d.). https://wihs.ucsd.edu/

10. Management team. (n.d.). https://www.illumina.com/company/about-us/management-team.html

11. Leadership team | Sempra. (n.d.). Sempra. https://www.sempra.com/about/people/leadership-team

12. ResMed Executive Team Bios - ResMed. (2024, August 1). ResMed. https://www.resmed.com/en-us/executive-team/