New York City — Chico’s FAS, Inc. (Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma) has been named to Seramount’s 2021 Top 75 Companies for Executive Women list. This is the most definitive list of top workplaces for women who want to advance through the corporate ranks. It celebrates companies that champion women’s advancement, with a focus on succession planning, profit-and-loss role, gender pay parity, support programs and work-life balance programs. Seramount continues to explore ways organizations can move more women into top positions, while highlighting the successes at these trailblazing companies.
“Chico’s FAS is comprised of three unique brands, each thriving in their own market white space, founded by women, led by women,” says Molly Langenstein, CEO and president of Chico’s FAS, Inc. “Our company vision is a world where women never have to compromise, which is why we provide solutions, build communities and create experiences to bring women confidence and joy. This equal opportunity work environment as well as advocacy by our male team members has allowed us to build a company where 69% of our officers are women. It is for these reasons that we are continually recognized by organizations like Seramount.”
Highlights of the 2021 Top 75 Companies for Executive Women include:
- The percentage of women corporate executives increased 3 percentage points to 34% versus 31% in 2020. Female board of directors also increased 5 percentage points to 36% from 31% in 2020.
- Female executives responsible for divisions worth more than $1 billion increased to 37% from 30% in 2020.
- Corporate executives with P&L responsibilities increased 3 percentage points to 30% versus 27% in 2020.
- 68% of the Top 75 Companies for Executive Women offer formal sponsorship, up from 60% in 2020.
As one of the leading fashion retailers in North America, Chico’s FAS, Inc. has also been ranked among America’s Best Employers for Women for two consecutive years by Forbes. The company boasts impressive statistics that speak to a culture that cultivates robust female talent across all levels of the three brands:
- 96% of Chico’s FAS associates are female
- 92% of Chico’s FAS management is female
- 69% of Chico’s FAS officers are female
- 98% of Chico’s FAS field leadership is female
- Both the executive chair of the board and the CEO/president are women
In fact, Chico’s FAS recently launched an evergreen marketing and social media campaign called ‘Women: Power in the Numbers’ as a reminder of the brand’s core tenet of female empowerment. Chico’s FAS also provides its corporate and field employees benefits that support women’s work-life balance, including 8 weeks of paid maternity leave along with an onsite daycare facility at its corporate headquarters to support their transition back to work. Chico’s FAS has an on-site health center at its corporate headquarters and Winder, Ga., distribution center to address concerns ranging from stress management and nutritional counseling to general practitioner appointments and wellness exams. Lastly, Chico’s FAS Inc.’s corporate campus has amenities designed to take the stress out of managing everyday life including a fitness center, dry-cleaning, auto detailing and a weekly fresh flower market.
The full list of companies can be found here.
The 2021 Top 75 Companies application includes more than 200 questions on topics including female representation at all levels, but especially the corporate officer and profit-and-loss leadership ranks. The application, based on 2020 data, tracks and examines how many employees have access to programs and policies that promote advancement of women and how many employees take advantage of them, plus how companies train managers to help women advance. To be considered, companies must have a minimum of two women on their boards of directors, a U.S.-based CEO and at least 500 U.S. employees.
Chico’s FAS is a Florida-based fashion company founded in 1983 on Sanibel Island, Fla. As one of the leading fashion retailers in North America, Chico’s FAS is a company of three unique brands: Chico’s, WHBM and Soma. As of October 30, 2021, the company operated 1,279 stores in the U.S. and sold merchandise through 59 international franchise locations in Mexico and two domestic franchise airport locations. For more information, visit www.chicosfas.com.
Seramount, now part of EAB, is a strategic professional services firm dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. For more information, visit www.seramount.com.
SOURCE: Chico’s FAS, Inc.