1. The Way Up Conference November 4, 2016
The EPIC Challenge: Economic Potential for Iowa Companies Starts with Your Commitment
The Way Up Conference
November 4, 2016

2. NEXUS Executive Women’s Alliance
Began in 1978 – 70 members, 17 emeritus
Purpose: Providing business and personal support among its members.
Activism focused on change and betterment for all - including the advancement of women.

3. NEXUS Index – 2004 and 2012 Could young women achieve
leadership roles?
Measure sample
indicators of
gender equality
in Iowa
Goal is to raise
awareness and
promote discourse

4. Sample Indicators of Gender Equality
Academic Performance
Leadership Indicators
Corporate Boards of Directors
Iowa Supreme Court Justices
Governors, Congressional Delegation, Iowa Legislature
Peak Earning Potential
Highest Paid Employees at Regents Universities
Highly Compensated Executives in Largest Casualty Insurance Companies

5. National Media Attention
Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook, Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders, 2010 TED Talk
2012 Election
Advertising
National Conventions
Anne Marie Slaughter, Why Women Still Can’t Have it All, Atlantic Magazine, July/August 2012.

6. Opportunities are Unequal Based on Gender
What Problem
Opportunities are Unequal Based on Gender
We are limiting opportunities for both genders in institution and in society. So why is this happening?

7. Business Case for Gender Equity in Leadership
Evidence shows that including more women on leadership teams means strikingly greater return on investment.
Including women means more money
Including women means stronger teams
Including women board members means better outcomes
Including women means more creative solutions
Including women means creating a workplace for future generations

8. True Gender Equality
Equal Opportunities to Lead + Equal Opportunities to Nurture = Better Outcomes for All

9. Deliverables Statewide Collaborative Research
Developed the Business Case/Video
Created website
International Resources & Measurement Programs
Change the Ratio
EDGE – Economic Dividends from Gender Equity
The Path Forward – Accenture 2012 International Women’s Day Study
Iowa Organizations
All IWLP +
Launched The EPIC Corporate Challenge
CEO Luncheon 10/27/15

10. The EPIC Challenge
Organizations that commit to the challenge must commit to three things:
1. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) must agree to participate.
2. Assign one person, with direct access to the CEO, to oversee The EPIC Challenge.
3. Commit to at least one of these four areas:
• Increase the number of females in the pipeline at all levels
• Increase the retention rate of females in management
• Increase the representation of females in the top 10% of management
• Increase the number of women on their board of directors

11. The EPIC Challenge Launched 10/27/15 in Des Moines
Bankers Trust
Delta Dental of Iowa
Des Moines Area Community College
Drake University
Fareway Stores
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Homes Services
Iowa National Guard
LMC
LWBJ
Merchants Bonding
Merit Resources
Principal Financial Group
Saxton
Storey Kenworthy

12. Next Steps – Hand off Sharing with IWLC to take state-wide
EPIC Challenge and website
Available for other organizations after IWLC launches