Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/61371
to search firms to identify potential female board candidates. In addition, several women's organizations such as The Boston Club are well-positioned to help companies recruit women board candidates who meet their specific needs. Obstacles still must be overcome, however—from direct opposition within corporations, to a lack of knowledge on how to find potential qualified board members who are women, to simple inertia. Documenting the status of women directors, in and of itself, will not bring about change. Business schools, their advisory boards, and their graduates can play a more active role than in the past in facilitating the process. A Larger Role for Business Schools It's a logical next step for business schools to address the problem directly through their executive education programs, partnerships, case study selection, and research. Schools worldwide can become key resources for corporations by con- ducting research and further documenting the benefits of diversity on boards. U.S. business schools with campuses in the more than 40 states without a Census of Women Directors, for instance, should consider conducting an annual report to track the sta- tus of women in boardrooms and in executive positions in their states. Most states have professional women's organiza- tions that would be willing to co-sponsor this activity and help with dissemination of the results. In addition, given their extensive links to the business community, business schools can be instrumental in intro- ducing women executives and entrepreneurs to corporate leaders involved in the selection of board members. Business schools can host forums on topics such as effective net- working and personal marketing, and can offer training, mentoring, and coaching for women. More generally, they can incorporate issues of corporate governance and risk management into their teaching of management develop- ment and diversity. The tide appears to be turning, but business schools can help to ensure it continues to turn in a positive direction and that the pace is more than glacial. When more companies tap into the large, underutilized reservoir of highly qualified women and assign them places around their boardroom tables, women, men, and business will benefit.s z Patricia M. Flynn is Trustee Professor of Economics and Management and former dean of the McCallum Graduate School of Business at Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. She is also a director of Boston Fed Bancorp and Boston Federal Savings Bank. Susan M. Adams is associate professor of management and director of field-based learning at Bentley. BizEd SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2004 39