Built by ISE&S and Ascend Strategic Communications.

The leadership gap

A US Census Bureau report from 2021 found that women were 27% of STEM workers in the US in 2019. Women in the Workplace 2025, from McKinsey and LeanIn.Org, found that 93 women were promoted to manager for every 100 men.

In a 2025 study, Dr. Sarah-Lee Boodoo, who is on the ISE&S board, interviewed senior women managers about why few women reach management and C-suite roles. The study called for formal mentoring programs, sponsorship for women and accountability in the organization.

“Data analysis identified three thematic barriers: unequal work-life integration, evaluation systems favoring male-dominated norms, and insufficient mentorship and sponsorship opportunities for women.”

In xEllerator, HR runs the mentoring in cycles. The app proposes mentor matches, and HR releases or withholds each one. Mentors log what they do as sponsors, such as an introduction or putting someone forward for a stretch assignment. The Equity page counts these for each group and marks a group whose figure is well below the figure for everyone. How it works has the detail.

Research by the board

ISE&S board members have published on gender equity, public leadership and what stops women from advancing. Four of their papers:

Publications

• Boodoo, S.-L. (2025). A qualitative study examining the underrepresentation of women in managerial and C-suite roles. Doctoral dissertation, California Southern University.
• Elias, N. and D'Agostino, M. J. (2017). Women in the public sector: getting creative with networking and mentoring. In S. M. Zavattaro and S. K. Orr (eds.), Reflections on academic lives: identities, struggles, and triumphs in graduate school and beyond.
• D'Agostino, M. J., Sabharwal, M. and Levine, H. (2020). Characterization of women and leadership in public administration and beyond. In D. Slagle and A. Williams (eds.), Public affairs practicum.
• D'Agostino, M., Levine, H. and Sabharwal, M. (2020). Gender in negotiation: preparing public administrators for the 21st century workplace. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 26(1), 96-116.

The full list is on the ISE&S publications page.

The figures on the home page

93 women promoted to manager for every 100 men, and 31% of entry-level women with a sponsor against 45% of men: Women in the Workplace 2025 (McKinsey and LeanIn.Org). 27% more likely to ask for a raise with a sponsor: The Sponsor Effect (Center for Talent Innovation, 2010).