At Desjardins Group’s 21st Congress of Elected Officers, the majority (92%) of its caisse delegates voted to even out the ratio of men and women on caisse boards of directors.
They agreed boards would then be representative of the company’s members.
“I’m very proud of this decision,” says Monique F. Leroux, chair of the Board, president and CEO of Desjardins Group.
She adds, “It sends a clear signal [and] will also make our cooperative group a leader among financial institutions. Year after year, so many women are graduating…That’s a pool of expertise that our caisses—and our entire organization—can take advantage of.”
In 2011, women made up 36% of caisse board membership, a slight rise over the 34% recorded five years ago.
Delegates also voted strongly in favour of a number of other recommendations, including the addition of intercooperation to the list of permanent Desjardins values.
Also read:
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Women: The next emerging market, for more on how advisors can better serve women