National Association for Female Executives
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| National Association for Female Executives | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Association for Female Executives |
| Formation | 1970s |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Region served | United States, International |
| Leader title | President |
National Association for Female Executives The National Association for Female Executives is a nonprofit professional organization focused on advancing women in senior leadership and corporate governance. It connects executives with networks, training, and advocacy efforts across sectors including finance, technology, healthcare, and media. The association collaborates with corporations, universities, foundations, and legislative bodies to expand leadership pipelines and board representation.
History
Founded during a period of heightened activity following the Women's Liberation Movement and the passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964, the association emerged amid contemporaneous organizations such as National Organization for Women, League of Women Voters, and American Association of University Women. Early development drew on influences from corporate initiatives at firms like AT&T, General Electric, and IBM and leadership models from institutions including Harvard Business School and Columbia Business School. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the association engaged with policy debates involving the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and affirmative action decisions from the Supreme Court of the United States. In the 21st century it expanded partnerships with global entities such as the United Nations, multinational corporations like Google, Goldman Sachs, and Johnson & Johnson, and nonprofit funders including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Mission and Activities
The association's mission emphasizes leadership development, board readiness, and workplace equity, aligning with initiatives championed by Catalyst (nonprofit), Lean In, and The Rockefeller Foundation. Activities include convening conferences modeled after events like the World Economic Forum and the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit, offering executive education comparable to programs at Stanford Graduate School of Business and INSEAD, and compiling research helmed by scholars from Princeton University, Yale University, and London School of Economics. It issues reports influenced by methodologies used at McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, and Pew Research Center, and collaborates with media partners such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.
Membership and Structure
Membership spans senior leaders from corporations including Microsoft, Amazon (company), and Pfizer (company), as well as entrepreneurs from startups linked to incubators like Y Combinator, Techstars, and accelerators associated with Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Governance comprises a board of directors with representatives from institutions like KPMG, Ernst & Young, and JP Morgan Chase, advisory councils populated by executives with backgrounds at PepsiCo, Nike, Inc., and Procter & Gamble, and chapters modeled on regional organizations such as Chamber of Commerce affiliates in cities like New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago. Membership tiers include corporate partnerships, individual executive members, and student or alumni affiliates connected to programs at Cornell University and University of California, Berkeley.
Programs and Initiatives
Signature programs include executive coaching modeled after offerings from Center for Creative Leadership and board training paralleling curricula at National Association of Corporate Directors. Initiatives encompass sponsorship and mentorship schemes inspired by MentorNet, fellowship programs similar to those at Echoing Green and Skoll Foundation, and scholarships in collaboration with universities such as Duke University and University of Pennsylvania. The association runs conferences, webinars, and leadership labs featuring speakers drawn from Facebook, Twitter, Tesla, Inc., and healthcare systems like Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. It also administers awards recognizing achievement in partnership with organizations akin to Time (magazine) and Bloomberg L.P..
Advocacy and Policy Work
The association engages in advocacy on issues including board diversity, pay equity, and parental leave, coordinating with stakeholders such as the U.S. Congress, state legislatures in California, New York (state), and Massachusetts, and regulatory agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission. It files amicus briefs and policy recommendations in concert with legal and policy groups including American Civil Liberties Union, Brennan Center for Justice, and Institute for Women’s Policy Research. The organization's policy agenda intersects with international instruments and forums like the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, G20, and multilateral development banks such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
Notable Members and Leadership
Notable members and leaders have included executives and board chairs with pedigrees at ExxonMobil, Walmart, Disney, Verizon Communications, Oracle Corporation, and Cisco Systems. Leadership alumni have moved into roles at institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, Brookings Institution, and Council on Foreign Relations. The association's awardees and speakers have featured figures from the roster of leaders at United Nations, European Commission, NATO, and major philanthropic and corporate entities such as The Ford Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, and Morgan Stanley.