Greetings to all panelists. Thanks to CFA Institute for organizing this forum.
First of all, I am a man but I am all in for the gender equality in the corporate world. Warren Buffett once said "we've seen what can be accomplished when we use 50% of our human capacity. If you visualize what 100% can do, you'll join me as an unbridled optimist about America's future." but I am still doubtful that we can achieve absolute success in closing the gender gap in the corporate world.
The reason is simple, women have one natural disadvantage -- maternity.
Don't get me wrong, I have full respect to all the mothers in this world for giving birth to everyone of us. The pain they have suffered can never be felt by the men.
Despite that the corporate-world women are less inclined to have baby(ies) nowadays, their chances of getting pregnant (0%) will still undermine their competitiveness, whether they like it or not. Therefore, statistically speaking, men will still outnumber women in the corporate-ladder-climbing race, hence lesser C-suite women in the corporate world. I don't think anything can change that. Do you agree?
Intellectually speaking, women are, to some extent, better than men and they definitely deserved a place in the leadership rank of corporate world.
Secondly, the blog post mentioned that “The idea that women are more risk-averse than men reinforces stereotypes that stymie career progression for men and women, and limit organisational potential.”, which I think is untrue. I think Dr. Oster would agree with me as she has already written a blog post on this matter (http://www.blackrockblog.com/2013/11/06/men-women-risk-aversion/).
Thirdly, I cover the Vietnam stock market for my employer (we are fund-management company specializing in ASEAN equity) and I have always been in love with companies that have a women CEO, e.g. Vingroup, Vinamilk and Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation. They are all very well run companies by international standards.
Lastly, I sincerely wish to see more Sheryl Sandbergs and Marissa Mayers in the corporate world, but I think women will still be outnumbered by men at the highest rank of capitalism.
Look forward to the forum. Cheers.