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Gender Initiative
INSEAD Celebrates Women
Celebrating and empowering women leaders for 50 years and beyond
Our Vision and Mission
Gender imbalance and the resultant experience of women in business and society have consequences for both organisations and the communities they serve. Yet the dynamics, causes, and consequences of gender imbalance are not yet fully understood, limiting our ability to enhance gender balance. Built on INSEAD’s core organisational value of diversity and decades of gender diversity efforts, the Gender Initiative integrates research, business, and pedagogy to engage the full potential of both women and men.
Our community of gender researchers includes psychologists, sociologists, economists, and management and finance scholars who conduct cutting-edge research on the experiences and impact of women in business and society. We are building relationships with organisations to enhance their commitment to gender balance and their ability to fulfil this goal. By striving to create a pipeline of future business leaders who are passionate and equipped to drive gender balance within their existing and future organisations, we aim to empower women leaders to positively impact business and society.
Our mission is to create and disseminate knowledge that advances women leaders and optimises their contributions within and beyond their organisations. We strive to engage both men and women in this effort, inspiring all to take action.
Zoe Kinias
Academic Director of Gender Initiative
Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour
91%
of INSEAD alumni surveyed in Nov-Dec 2017 are interested in efforts to increase the representation of women in high impact leadership positions
In the Spotlight
INSEAD Knowledge
Enabling Productive Thinking to Develop Gender Balance
Subtle mental shifts can increase people’s responsiveness to the gender gap, and their commitment to doing something about it.
INSEAD Knowledge
Integrating Diversity into Business Education
Conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion can be uncomfortable. But business school classrooms need to embrace them nonetheless.
INSEAD Knowledge
With more women as board chairs, business can better serve society. equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
Building Gender Balance Against the Odds
To enable women’s advancement where it’s needed most, individual, interpersonal and institutional changes are required.
INSEAD Knowledge
Creating More Economic Equality for Women
Insights from INSEAD’s 2nd annual Women at Work conference on how to address resource-based gender gaps across a wide variety of contexts.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
How PE and VC Are Closing the Gender Gap in Emerging Markets
If including women in senior private equity and venture capital leadership teams improves returns, why is the gender gap still so pervasive?
INSEAD Knowledge
Promoting Gender Balance is Everyone's Business
Progressive companies are moving from awareness to action, and systemic challenges must be overcome.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
What Women on the Board Need to Know
Three INSEAD alumnae share their wisdom as board directors.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
Lessons in Women's Empowerment from India's Female Village Leaders
Samir Sathe, EMCCC'18, discusses the relationships and factors that influence the performance of elected representatives.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge Blog
How These Leading CEOs Are Tackling Gender Inequality
Persistently setting new norms helps organisations battle stubborn gender imbalances.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
Salamander - INSEAD Alumni Magazine
Starting a Global Movement with iW50
iW50 is ending, but INSEAD’s work to advance gender balance has just begun.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge Blog
Social Support Sets Women Up for Success at Work
Organisations are investing heavily to level the playing field for professional women, but they often lack a systematic approach.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
Gender Balance: Moving from Awareness to Action
A clear-eyed, nuanced organisational perspective can strengthen employee engagement and galvanise change.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
How to Get More Women to Work in Tech
Role models and reassurance about potential success can impact women’s career decisions.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
Having a Social Mission Benefits Women Entrepreneurs
Highlighting a venture’s social impact can help female entrepreneurs overcome gender bias.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD In the News
Gender Equality in Asian Corporate Leadership - Emerging Markets Report
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
The Slow and Steady Progress Towards Gender-Balanced Boards
In conservative societies, awareness and discussion of gender diversity issues pave the way for progress.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
Nudging Your Staff to Healthier Habits
Wendy Wood, Provost Professor of Psychology and Business at the University of Southern California and INSEAD-Sorbonne Université Behavioural Lab Distinguished Visiting Chair in Behavioural Sciences, discusses how adequate cues and a dash of rewards can go a long way towards persuading employees to adopt and maintain healthy behaviours.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD In the News
Zoe Kinias, INSEAD Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Academic Director of the Gender Initiative, discusses why the inclusion of diverse case protagonists is so important in business education.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD In the News
Women Matter: Ten Years of Insights on Gender Diversity
Dean Ilian Mihov contributes his perspective on gender diversity in McKinsey's Women Matter October 2017 report.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
How Boards Will Look in Ten Years
More women and a wider array of professionals are likely to fill future boards, while technology will play a bigger role in their work.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
INSEAD Knowledge
The Role of Language in the Gender Gap
Selin Kesebir, Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour (London Business School) discusses how our use of language reflects and influences perceptions of gender roles.
INSEAD Knowledge
Tackling the Gender Gap in Entrepreneurship
The right combination of message and methods would help level the playing field.
INSEAD Knowledge
Stop Blaming Women for Gender Inequality
Henrich Greve, INSEAD Professor of Entrepreneurship, discusses how unfair treatment in the business environment causes potential female leaders to "lean out."
INSEAD In the News
A Simple Exercise Can Help Women Overcome Self-Doubt to Succeed
Zoe Kinias, INSEAD Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour, discusses how reflecting on core personal values may be beneficial for women in competitive business settings.
Mastering Private Equity and Private equity in action
Research and Publications
By Laura Guillén, Margarita Mayo and Natalia Karelaia
Gender and Connections Among Wall Street Analysts
The Review of Financial Studies
By Lily Hua Fang and Sterling Huang
By Zoe Kinias and Jessica Sim
Events
15 November 2019
Nairobi, Kenya
Columbia Business School Professor Modupe Akinola (Visiting Fellow at INSEAD Gender Initiative) will lead a discussion on "Strengthening your Leadership Toolkit" in Nairobi, Kenya on 15 November 2019.
26 November 2019
INSEAD Asia Campus – Singapore
INSEAD Women in Business (IWiB) will host their 5th annual INSEAD Women in Business Conference at the INSEAD Asia Campus in Singapore on 26 November 2019. This year's theme is "Redefining Success: Exploring Gender-Inclusive Leadership.”
30 March 2020
INSEAD Middle East Campus – Abu Dhabi
Leading scholars from around the world will convene at INSEAD's Middle East campus in Abu Dhabi on 30 March 2020 for the 3rd annual Women at Work conference. This year's conference theme is "Intersections of Identities in Context."
Videos
Gender Balance is Not a Women's Issue -- INSEAD 2018 Women at Work Conference
Have Gender Stereotypes Changed? Yes and No -- Professor Alice Eagly, Northwestern University
Friendships are Key to Workplace Resilience and Performance -- Professor Valerie Purdie Greenaway, Columbia University
Gender Balance: From Awareness to Action -- INSEAD 2019 Women at Work Conference
How to Make Meritocracy Work for Women -- INSEAD Professor Natalia Karelaia
Inclusive Working Cultures -- Professor Eliot Sherman, London Business School
Bridging the Gender-STEM Gap -- Professor Toni Schmader, University of British Columbia
iW50 Alumnae Impact Report -- INSEAD Prof. Zoe Kinias, Dean Ilian Mihov, and Helen Duce (GEMBA '13)
Alumnae Panel: Championing Gender Balance -- w/ INSEAD Professor Zoe Kinias
How to Get More Women into Tech -- w/ INSEAD Profs. Zoe Kinias and Lucia Del Carpio
Stereotype Threat’s Silver Lining: Speaking Out for Change -- flash talk delivered by INSEAD Postdoctoral Researcher Clarissa Cortland at Harvard Business School's 2019 Gender & Work Symposium
Programmes
For Leaders Developing Gender Balance
The INSEAD Gender Diversity Programme is a new online programme that provides the understanding, concepts and tools to allow you to develop a strategic and practical plan to reach gender balance in your organisation.
For Companies Developing Women Leaders
INSEAD works with major companies to create customised leadership development programmes for their women executives.
For Women
Leaders
The Women Leaders Programme is designed to equip influential businesswomen with the tools they need to increase their leadership impact and create lasting personal and professional change.
Gender Diversity @ INSEAD Today
Community Snapshot
Our Team
Zoe Kinias
Academic Director
Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour
Zoe’s primary expertise focuses on diversity and resiliency bolstering interventions. Her diversity research often falls at the intersection of gender and culture, currently investigating methods for improving gender balance in organisations. In addition to contributing to INSEAD's gender pedagogy, Zoe presents gender research to diverse audiences including academics, students and alumni, and professional organisations.
Vinika Rao
Director
Vinika started her career with a multinational bank in India. She went on to become General Manager of an American-Asian joint venture in the field of industrial chemicals and later the Managing Director of an Indonesian conglomerate, before making a serendipitous transition to education. Prior to joining INSEAD, she was Associate Professor of Strategy at the S.P. Jain Centre of Management, Singapore. She has an MBA from IIM Bangalore and a doctorate from the Singapore Management University. Her research is in the area of gender diversity in corporate leadership; specifically, the impact of male supervisorial support on the self-regulating focus of mid-career female managers. Vinika is passionate about supporting women managers to make fulfilling work-life decisions. She is frequently invited as keynote speaker and panellist and has been quoted / published articles in leading business publications including HBR, Forbes, Economist, Business Times, South China Morning Post and INSEAD Knowledge.
Neha Thakkar
Associate Director
Neha leads the impact work of the initiative through meaningful partnerships with private and public sector entities, translating academic research into programmes and policies. In addition, she supports students on campus as well as INSEAD alumni across the world. In line with the strategic direction of the initiative, she also raises awareness as a speaker, moderator and panelist at events as well as through workshops, seminars, and articles. Prior to joining INSEAD, she was a Mason Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School where she was awarded the 'Raymond & Josephine Vernon Award' for academic excellence and distinguished contribution to the Harvard community.
Clarissa Cortland
Postdoctoral Researcher
Clarissa’s research focuses on stereotyping and discrimination, intergroup relations, and bias-reducing interventions aimed at increasing the representation of women and minorities in competitive business, leadership and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) contexts. She is also interested in when and how people belonging to underrepresented stigmatized groups support and advocate for one another.
Chiara Trombini
Postdoctoral Researcher
Chiara’s research focuses on cognitive and affective interventions to reduce decision-making biases in the workplace. Using a multi-method approach, she investigates ways for decreasing gender bias in hiring and negotiation. She is particularly interested in designing strategies to make men more open to high-achieving women. Prior to joining INSEAD, she was a Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.
Hamidah Salim
Administrative Manager
Helen Duce
Consulting Executive
Helen is responsible for developing and executing the overall strategy for the Gender Initiative. She is charged with ensuring the Gender Initiative is fully integrated across the entire school and the broader INSEAD community. This includes engaging with internal and external stakeholders, events and speaker engagements and communication planning. An INSEAD alumna (GEMBA’13) with a background in strategy, marketing, sustainable business and gender, Helen frequently presents -- as keynote speaker and panelist -- to business audiences about gender issues.
Lucia del Carpio
Assistant Professor of Economics
Lucia uses field experiments to both understand the sources of women under-representation in certain key industries, and evaluate policies to reverse it. Currently, she is studying whether social identity considerations and norms may be precluding young women from applying for training and a career in the high growth Tech sector in Latin America, analyzing the impact of different women role models on career choices in Mexico, and studying firms’ perceptions on the role of women in sectors where they are under-represented.
Maria Guadalupe
Associate Professor of Economics
Maria is an organizational economist. Part of her work focuses on how gender identity and stereotypes shape our perception, individual decisions and hence organizational outcomes. She is particularly interested in understanding the under-representation of women in the technology sector.
Natalia Karelaia
Associate Professor of Decision Sciences
Natalia's current research focuses on authenticity, gender processes at work, leader effectiveness, and mindfulness. She has published research on a variety of topics including identity conflict, unethical and prosocial behavior, behavior in competitions, gender differences, trust, and decision making processes. Her interests also include clinical approaches to individual, group, and organizational diagnosis and coaching.
Matthew Lee
Assistant Professor of Strategy
Matthew’s research investigates phenomena at the nexus of business and social goals, including hybrid organizations, corporate social responsibility, and impact investing. Part of this work focuses specifically on how gender differences and stereotype content influence business leaders’ pursuit of social goals and how this is evaluated.
Juan Ma
Assistant Professor in Strategy
Juan's research focuses on business solutions to social problems in emerging economies, with a focus on women and children’s development in China and India.
Jennifer Petriglieri
Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour
Jennifer’s research includes investigations of the mechanisms that can hinder junior women’s transitions to more senior roles. She also researches how members of dual-career couples shape each other’s career development. At INSEAD she directs several executive education programmes for aspiring and senior women leaders.
Isabelle Solal
PhD Candidate in Organisational Behaviour
Isabelle’s research focuses on the effects of discrimination in labor and financial markets, and the influence of gender on evaluation. In particular, her current work looks at how gender impacts the attribution of public and private financial capital.
Eric Luis Uhlmann
Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour
Eric’s research interests include stereotyping and discrimination, moral judgments and behaviours, team dynamics, and cross-cultural differences in values. Eric's ongoing projects on gender examine gender gaps in salaries and the effects of scientists’ gender on intellectual debates. He regularly lectures on gender issues for INSEAD’s Women in Business Club.
Lizzie Baily Wolf
Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour
Lizzie’s research focuses on how people subjectively evaluate their own and others’ performance, competence, and potential. She is particularly interested in how emotion, nonverbal behaviour, gender, and national culture influence these processes.
We gratefully acknowledge the support received from the Patrick Cescau/Unilever Endowed Fund for Research in Diversity and Leadership.
Enquiry?
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