Research Brief
A recording for this session isn't published. Below is the BPI editorial brief — key takeaways, an in-depth summary, and FAQs drawn from the original session materials and the presenter's body of work.
Presenter
Donnell Green
**Empowering and Supporting Women at BlackRock: The Women’s Leadership Forum**
Description
Donnell Green, Managing Director of Talent Management and Executive Development at BlackRock will present the business need, design, and implementation of programs and practices that support and empower women at BlackRock. Her effective approach to implementation is an excellent example of how to achieve a goal that has become critical to the success of the enterprise as well as to the field of talent management.
Learning Points
- Designing processes and practices for supporting women leaders -The design and implementation of The Women’s Leadership Forum
- Critical Success Factors of the Forum
- Dialogue and discussion on your challenges and work in the area of Women in Leadership
Who Will Participate
Senior Executive Board members and internally invited guests
Key Takeaways
- 1.BlackRock identified a critical business need to implement programs that support and empower women.
- 2.The Women’s Leadership Forum is BlackRock's key program for achieving its goals for women in leadership.
- 3.The webinar details the specific design and implementation process for the Women’s Leadership Forum.
- 4.Understanding the critical success factors is essential for creating an effective women's leadership initiative.
- 5.The session addresses common challenges and successful strategies for advancing women's careers in large enterprises.
Empowering Women Leaders at BlackRock
This webinar explores the strategic initiatives BlackRock has implemented to foster the growth and success of its female employees. Donnell Green, Managing Director of Talent Management and Executive Development, shares the firm's approach to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for women.
The Business Case for Supporting Women
The session outlines the business need for developing and empowering women leaders, connecting these initiatives to the overall success of the enterprise. It highlights how investing in female talent has become a critical component of talent management strategy at a global firm like BlackRock.
Inside the Women’s Leadership Forum
A primary focus of the presentation is BlackRock's Women's Leadership Forum. Attendees will learn about:
- Program Design: The core principles and structure of the forum.
- Implementation: The practical steps taken to launch and manage the program effectively.
- Critical Success Factors: The key elements that have made the forum a successful and impactful initiative for the organization.
By sharing the design and implementation details, the webinar provides a model for other organizations looking to create similar programs for leadership development and diversity.
This session explores the strategic initiatives behind BlackRock's successful Women's Leadership Forum. It delves into the frameworks and practical approaches used to empower and support women in their professional growth, offering valuable insights that remain highly relevant for organizations committed to fostering diverse and inclusive leadership environments today.
What you'll learn
- Strategies for establishing and sustaining an effective women's leadership forum within a large organization.
- Methods for empowering female talent and supporting their career progression.
- Insights into creating a culture that champions diversity and inclusion at all levels.
- Practical steps for leadership development tailored to women's professional journeys, as discussed by presenter Donnell Green.
Who this webinar is for
- HR leaders and professionals focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
- Organizational development specialists seeking best practices in talent management.
- Executives and managers committed to fostering a supportive environment for women in their workforce.
- Individuals interested in establishing or improving women's leadership programs.
Why it matters now
Despite advancements, the representation of women in senior leadership roles continues to be a critical area for improvement across industries. Learning from established programs like BlackRock's Women's Leadership Forum provides actionable blueprints for organizations striving to close the leadership gap. The principles of empowerment and targeted support discussed are timeless, directly influencing innovation, employee engagement, and overall organizational performance in increasingly competitive landscapes.
How leaders can apply this
Leaders can leverage the insights from this session to assess and enhance their own organizational diversity efforts. Consider:
- Establishing mentorship and sponsorship programs: Create formal or informal pathways for women to connect with senior leaders and gain advocacy.
- Developing tailored leadership training: Design programs that address the specific development needs and opportunities for female professionals.
- ** fostering inclusive policies:** Review and update company policies to support work-life integration and career advancement for women.
- ** promoting a culture of internal advocacy:** Encourage all employees, especially men, to actively support and champion their female colleagues' growth and contributions.
About this session
Key takeaways
Watching this webinar gives you grounded, practical perspective on women, leadership development, and diversity. Expect ideas you can use in leadership conversations, not abstract theory, drawn from Donnell Green's direct experience.
Who this is for
CHROs, HR business partners, talent leaders, executive coaches, organizational development practitioners, and senior leaders who are responsible for women inside their organization.
Why it matters now
Workforce expectations, hybrid work patterns, and AI-driven change keep raising the bar on culture and leadership. Sessions like this help leaders make smarter, more evidence-informed decisions about women, leadership development, and diversity.
How to apply it
Use the ideas here to challenge a current assumption on your team, design a single concrete experiment in the next 30 days, and bring one finding back to your leadership group for discussion.