Celebrating 15 Years

15th Anniversary – Timeline

5050 Women on Boards 15th Anniversary Logo

Celebrating 15 Years of Advancing Women in Board Leadership

Charting a Bold Course

Founded by trailblazers Malli Gero and Stephanie Sonnabend, who recognized a glaring gender gap in corporate America, 2020 Women on Boards launched with a bold mission to reach 20% women on boards by 2020.

2010

Turning Data into Action

Turning Data into Action

Launched the first-of-its-kind Gender Diversity Index™ to transparently track women on public company boards, introduced a bold company rating system to benchmark board composition, and sparked national awareness with the in-person National Conversation on Board Diversity.

2011

Mobilizing a Movement

On 12/12/12, hosted simultaneous events in key U.S. cities, including NY, Boston, and LA to establish a national network of allies and leaders accelerating gender balance and equity on corporate boards.

2012

Reaching a Milestone

reaching a milestone

Women surpassed 20% of board seats in Fortune 1000 companies, our research expanded to track the gender composition of all Russell 3000 boards, and states began proposing board diversity legislation, evidence that our work was influencing national policy and dialogue.

2017

Innovating Board-Readiness Education

betsy and group

Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, published author of The Board Game and Winning the Board Game, became CEO and launched the first educational program Get on Board to help prepare women for board service and unlock new leadership opportunities.

2018

Building a Leadership Community

mobilizing

Expanded our national network of volunteer Chairs and Leadership Committee teams across the U.S. to lead education, networking, and advocacy programs.

2018

Reaching 20% Women on Boards

surpassing goal deadline

Advocated for California’s landmark SB 826 legislation requiring at least three women on public company boards, while reaching 20% women on Russell 3000 company boards one year ahead of schedule.

2019

Embracing A New Era

a new era

Heather Spilsbury became CMO and led a bold rebrand to 50/50 Women on Boards, a digital transformation, and global expansion to London, Mexico, Greece, and Tokyo—marking a 30 percent surge in corporate support and international reach.

2020

Raising the Bar

raising the bar image

Hosted events in 25+ cities worldwide, expanded board readiness offerings with two new workshops, and launched the virtual Networking Hub to connect aspiring board leaders with peers and corporate directors around the globe.

2021

Driving Accountability Through Visibility

5050 Women on Boards Annual Reports

Expanded our quarterly and annual Gender Diversity Index™ reports to include race and ethnicity metrics, redefining company rankings to reflect a broader and more transparent view of board equity.

2021

Showcasing Board-Ready Women

50 Women to Watch for Boards launched, a groundbreaking campaign that helps elevate women to corporate board leadership positions, drawing 1,500+ board-ready applicants in the first two years, with 20% of honorees securing board seats.

2023

Expanding Reach Internationally

Expanded our reach and impact with the launch of our regional program in Nairobi, Africa, and for the first time, hosted our Global Conversation in person—featuring CEOs from Honest, Citi, and Walgreens to celebrate our 50 Women to Watch.

2023

Growing the Leadership Team

Breaking 30

Heather Spilsbury was named CEO, Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire transitioned to President, and the global leadership team expanded with new talent to drive the next phase of growth.

2024

Reaching 30% Women on Boards

reaching 30%

Women now hold 30% of the Russell 3000 board seats—a historic breakthrough, with women of color holding nearly 8% of seats and 14% of boards achieving gender-balance. This year also marked the launch of our Mexico Mentee Program, expanding our global board governance efforts.

2024

Recognizing Leadership Volunteers

Recognizing Leadership Volunteers

Volunteer network grew 500+ dedicated leaders. This year also marked the expansion of our Global Summit in New York, a convening of influential voices from around the world, all committed to advancing effective corporate governance.

2025

Reimagining Corporate Leadership

15th Anniversary Logo
Celebrating 15 years of elevating women to board leadership, transforming corporate governance, and building meaningful connections for better business, alongside you!
2025

Code of Conduct: Governing Data & Emerging Tech

Boards are no longer observers of emerging technology; they are stewards of how it’s governed. This panel goes beyond awareness to examine how directors can structure oversight, define accountability, and measure governance effectiveness in AI, data use, and digital innovation. Panelists will share practical strategies for building governance systems that ensure transparency, ethical decision-making, and responsible innovation at scale.

Your First Board Meeting: A Director’s Playbook

Designed for aspiring and newly appointed directors, this session offers practical guidance on how to step confidently into your first boardroom. Learn what to expect in early meetings, how to contribute with purpose, and how to quickly build credibility and trust among seasoned peers. Gain insight into board dynamics, unspoken protocols, and the critical questions new directors should be ready to ask and answer.

Tactics that Work: Case Studies in Navigating Shareholder Activism

In this tactical, director-focused session, participants will engage in case-based exercises to dissect real campaigns and pressure scenarios. From activist letters to proxy fights, explore how boards can craft strategic responses that reinforce governance integrity, protect corporate reputation, and align with long-term priorities. Walk away with actionable tactics and frameworks to strengthen board preparedness in the face of growing investor scrutiny.

Inside the Boardroom: Resilience Planning in Action

This interactive session places directors inside the boardroom during moments of disruption. Through tabletop exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will explore how boards can apply structured frameworks to assess geopolitical risk, anticipate threats, and make decisive decisions under pressure. Designed as a classroom-style session, this breakout provides practical tools to strengthen oversight and build a proactive board response strategy in an increasingly uncertain world.

Reputation & Response: How Boards Navigate Shareholder Activism

As shareholder activism intensifies, boards face mounting pressure to defend strategy, protect corporate reputation, and engage stakeholders with clarity. This panel brings together seasoned directors to explore how boards can respond effectively while maintaining credibility, board alignment, and stakeholder trust. Hear real-world insights on navigating activism in today’s high-stakes, high-visibility environment.

Navigating Global Markets: Trade, Tariffs, and Supply Chain Strategy

As global disruptions reshape business models, this panel will explore how boards can navigate the practical complexities of trade, tariffs, and supply chain shifts across regions. Panelists will share how directors are guiding companies through regulatory changes, sourcing challenges, and new market risks, while seizing opportunities for growth and operational agility.

Strengthening Oversight: Risk Management and Board Resilience

This keynote will equip directors to think globally about risk through the lens of geopolitical foresight, cross-border tensions, and long-term instability. Learn how boards can strengthen oversight and guide enterprise-wide resilience by anticipating disruption and embedding a proactive risk culture in a changing world.