The Courage to Advance

"Women's empowerment is the single biggest opportunity of the 21st century." Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever plc

Getting to the top in Business is never straightforward, especially as a woman.

This powerful collection of stories reveals how the world's leading women in business have overcome some of life's biggest challenges to reach the top of their professions. This is a book written for every current and aspiring leader, revealing the things that leaders rarely talk about; the behind the scenes struggles.

The women in these stories are powerful, internationally diverse and have impressive leadership accomplishments. They were brought together through one unifying experience: they have all completed the Harvard Business School Women on Boards program, a course that has turned into a movement. Today there are over 130 members of the WomenExecs on Boards network, from 17 countries. This is the network where organisations go to find educated, prepared, qualified and diverse women for corporate board seats.

After reading this book you will be inspired to lead and make a difference for others whether it's running a company or leading a division, team, project, community event or your family and home. You will discover that you already have all you need to succeed when it gets hard, to never give up, and how to keep going through life's difficult and sometimes terrible challenges. These women want you to know that you are not alone, and that you can lean on the strength of those who have gone before you, keep leading and keep getting back up again.

With a Foreword from Harvard Business School

“As I read the stories, I could not help but think of my own mother's struggle through countless challenges and setbacks, paving the way for future generations of leaders in the process. One cannot help but be inspired by the courage, humility, and tenacity of the special women profiled in these stories.”

Christian Brickman, CEO, Sally Beauty Holdings, (NYSE: SBH)
Women's empowerment is the single biggest opportunity of the 21st century. Women’s empowerment is the single biggest opportunity of the 21st century. Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever plc (NYSE: UL), Co-founder and Chair of Imagine
It's often through hearing the stories of others that we come to the best moments of clarity in our own. Women leaders are courageous and resilient. In this book are thirty-six stories of proof. Coco Brown, Founder and CEO, Athena Alliance, Inc.
An easy read that will inspire you to never give up and to achieve your wildest dreams despite the many obstacles along the way. Dimitri Panayotopoulos, Board Director and former vice chairman of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG)
Finally! A book so validating, so encouraging, that it feels as though I sat through years of life, career, and business lessons from successful mentors willing to bare it all to pave a path just for me. Nanette Harrell, Independent Fractional Chief Information Officer and former Transportation Executive, at Faneuil, Inc., Savi Tech & GE (NYSE: GE)
Here are the stories of some of our top women leaders. The stories contain big lessons in bite-size pieces. Many have a 'hard knocks' quality because they are genuine and unsparing. Andrew R. Hoehn, Senior Vice President, RAND Corporation
Through telling the stories of these courageous leaders, we reveal the path for others. A roadmap for stepping into one's own power and potential. Rebekah E. Dopp, Founder & Chair of Exponent
This book really helps our world on a path to gender neutral leadership. Chris Perry, President, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: BR)
An inspiring read with useful words of wisdom for any leader. Ken Pasternak, Global Executive Educator, Keynote Speaker, and Author of Performance at the Limit and Exploding Turkeys and Spare Trousers, Adventures in Global Business
A compendium of advice from truly accomplished women leaders who shine a light on the executive path to success that often is hidden from sight. Dr. Anita Gupta, Distinguished Physician, Author, FDA Advisor and Head of Scripps Clinic, MD Anderson Cancer Centre
A wonderful reminder that courage takes many forms. And that the women featured are not just capable. They're exceptional. If ever there was an assembly of gutsy, talented leaders with inspiring stories, this is it! Jordan Rich, WBZ Radio Boston, Host of On Mic with Jordan Rich podcast, Author of On-Air
A great collection of strong, powerful and yet easy-to-read stories from women leading the business to the place it belongs. Ali Ahmadian, CEO, Heliospectra (OTCMKTS: HLSPY)
The courage demonstrated in the stories of these exceptional women serve as a reminder to us all to aim for the stars, even in the face of adversity. Dr. JJ Walcutt, Scientist, Author and CEO of Clay Strategic Designs, former Director of Innovation at the US Dept. of Defense and former US Democratic Presidential candidate.
These poignant portraits will stay with you long after you've finished reading. Charlotte Dennery, CEO, BNP Paribas Personal Finance
Women all over the world have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, in what may be the biggest set-back for gender equality in our lifetimes. Stories like these will be pivotal in galvanising the next generation of leaders. A must read for every aspiring young woman. Carmen Ene, CEO of 3stepIT and BNP Paribas 3stepIT
This book will call you out, lift you up, and help you thrive in your purpose. Sherrese Smith, Partner at Paul Hastings and Board Member of Cable One (NYSE: CABO), Norton LifeLock (NASDAQ: NLOK)
Brings the power of story front and center to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders. Shellye Archambeau, Author of Unapologetically Ambitious and Board Member for Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN), and Roper Technologies (NYSE: ROP)
In the spirit of being 'judged by the company you keep,' those who read this work are keeping very good company. Cathy Benko, NIKE, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) Board Member and former Vice Chairman, Deloitte LLP
These are REAL stories that have the power to immediately draw one in and then inspire and then teach! THAT is a combination to lean in to for growth! Julie Laulis, Chair of the Board and CEO of Cable ONE (NYSE: CABO), Board of Directors AES Corporation (NYSE: AES)
A much needed inspirational multicultural roadmap of how thirty-six extraordinary women leaders got to where they are. Simply Inspirational. Muna AbuSulayman, Social Impact Investor, Philanthropist and Global Equity Board Member and Advisor for Gucci (NYSE: GUC)
Engaging leadership lessons, tips, and reminders - all through the power of story telling! Aicha Evans, CEO at Zoox; Board Member for SAP and Joby Aviation

Bonnie Hagemann (Author)

Bonnie Hagemann is a visionary leadership expert and the CEO of Executive Development Associates, a boutique consulting firm specialising in top-of-the-range executive development. She is called on as a subject matter expect for the media, including Forbes, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal and CNN.

Lisa Pent (Author)

Lisa Pent is a financially literate FTSE 100 senior executive fluent in the worlds of Business Development, Finance, Governance, Strategy, Transformation, Innovation, and Product Lifecycle Management. Lisa sits on the board of the Wall Street Women's Alliance and was in the inaugural Class of Harvard Business School's Executive Education - Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director programme.

WomenExecs on Boards is a global network of Women Prepared for Board Service at Harvard Business School with over 190 members from 23 countries. They are deeply committed to one another's success and are working together systematically to advance the state of gender equality in corporate governance and senior executive positions.

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