Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has been named to the 2011 NAFE Top 50 Companies for Executive Women by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE). The list recognizes organizations whose policies and practices encourage women's advancement and whose numbers at the highest levels of leadership demonstrate that commitment. Lilly received the award first in 2009, and again in 2010.
"It truly is an honor to win this award for the third consecutive year," said Shaun Hawkins, chief diversity officer. "At Lilly, we're confident that the acceleration of our commitment to efforts, such as the professional growth and development of executive women, ultimately will lead to better business results and innovative therapies to improve patient outcomes."
The 2011 NAFE Top Companies application includes 225 questions on such topics as female representation, hiring, attrition and promotion rates; access and usage of key retention and advancement programs such as mentoring, executive coaching, networking and sponsorship; company culture; and manager training and accountability. To be considered for the NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women, companies must have a minimum of two women on their board of directors as well as at least 500 employees in the U.S.
"Women have long struggled to reach the highest ranks in a male-dominated business environment, but with the growing profitability of companies with women in the top ranks, that is changing," said Dr. Betty Spence, NAFE president. "Today, employers reward the skills that women bring and demand them of men, as well."