Every business is part of an ecosystem. At MDA we exist in and contribute to the context of our world and our communities. This holds special meaning as all of us consider our response to systemic racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our stake in the ground about DEI starts at our core—leadership matters. I have always believed that the more power we share, the larger our collective power becomes.

Yet there is much work to do. The latest Women in the Workplace study shares important data and insights. The “broken rung” remains broken. For the 11th consecutive year, a “broken rung” at the first step up to manager is holding women back. For every 100 men who are promoted from entry level to manager, only 93 women are promoted—and just 60 Black women. Also Latinas and Black women are less likely than women of other races and ethnicities to say their manager shows interest in their career development. As a result, men significantly outnumber women at the manager level, and women can never catch up. There are simply too few women to promote into senior leadership positions.

In addition, for the first time, there is a notable ambition gap: 80% of women want to be promoted to the next level, compared to 86% of men—and the gap widens significantly at entry and senior levels. But when women receive the same career support that men do, they are just as interested in advancing. The gap in ambition to advance falls away.

We are committed to addressing these challenges at MDA Leadership. For instance, our assessment-informed succession planning can significantly aid efforts to identify and develop diverse, high-potential employees, particularly early in their careers, and help your organization achieve greater bench diversity long-term. Specifically, assessment can more accurately reveal “hidden gems” in your organization, particularly among diverse talent. With mentoring and support, these individuals can become your bench for senior-level leadership roles in the future.

Hopefully you will see evidence of our commitments in the way we work with you and your team members every day.