Amid calls for greater diversity in the boardroom, Dallas women executives have a prime opportunity to position themselves for coveted corporate board seats.

A Dallas-Fort Worth Conversation on Board Diversity event, hosted by the nonprofit 50/50 Women on Boards, offers strategic networking and insights from directors and women leaders on October 17 at SMU Cox School of Business.

Tracey Doi

“More than an event, this is a global movement to advance women in the corporate pipeline, while increasing diversity and gender balance on corporate boards,” said event co-chair Tracey Doi, an independent board director and retired CFO of Toyota.

Just 29% of Russell 3000 (the top 3,000 publicly traded companies in the U.S.) board seats are held by women, up only 1% from 2022, according to a 50/50 Women on Boards study released in Sept.

The global 50/50 Women on Boards drives a movement toward gender balance and diversity on corporate boards. The Dallas-Fort Worth event provides a platform for discussing the “importance of advancing more women to corporate board positions,” organizers said.

Co-chair Doi says the group empowers women looking for a first board position or to expand a board portfolio by “providing access to the best people, tools, and resources to foster board success.”

The October event at SMU will provide opportunities to meet with board directors and women leaders in the Dallas region to learn about board service and how to gain increased visibility among industry leaders.

Panel discussion, “director coaches,” and 8 honorees

The featured panel discussion will include Stacey Doré, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Vistra Corp. and board member of Williams; Nina Vaca, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Pinnacle Group and board member of Comerica and Cinemark; Aisha Fatima Dozie, Founder and CEO, Bossy Cosmetics and board member of Vita Coco; and Anne Chow, Former CEO, AT&T Business and lead director for Franklin Covey and board member of 3M. 

Attendees also can receive insights and advice from a diverse group of Director Coaches, who will share best practices based on their boardroom experiences.

Also, eight Dallas executives who are finalists in the “50 Women to Watch for Boards” awards will be recognized.

Dallas-Fort Worth Conversation on Board Diversity co-chairs

Along with Doi, event co-chairs include Thear Suzuki, Partner, EY; Shonn Evans Brown, VP and Deputy General Counsel ESG & Sustainability, Kimberly-Clark; and Darcy Cowell, Principal, EY.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Conversation on Board Diversity hosted by 50/50 Women on Boards on October 17 at SMU Cox School of Business will run from 4 to 6 p.m. 

Tickets to attend are $325 and also include access a virtual event, the Global Conversation on Board Diversity, on November 14 at 11 a.m.

To learn more or purchase a ticket, go here.

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