Sonia Cargan on gender diversity
From American Express Celebrates Successful Initiative to Embolden Women · · Cheddar Now
“We've seen some tremendous change with over 100 women joined in those ranks, 40% of our executive committee now being women, our boards now 30% gender diverse, and we have a record number of women leading our businesses around the world.”
On , Sonia Cargan, Chief Colleague Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Talent Officer at American Express, spoke about gender diversity during American Express Celebrates Successful Initiative to Embolden Women on Cheddar Now.
About Sonia Cargan
Sonia Cargan, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at American Express, discussed the company's Ambition Project in a February 2021 interview. Cargan stated that the initiative, launched two years prior, had resulted in over 100 women being promoted or joining the company at the executive level, with 40% of the executive committee and 30% of the board being women. She said the project began after the company asked senior women if they considered themselves ambitious and had publicly declared that ambition, finding that only a third had done so. Cargan said the company aims to encourage "candid conversations" about ambition and to help women "define their ambition and unapologetically pursue it." She described the initiative as part of setting "the tone from the top" for inclusion and diversity, adding that the full executive committee supports the effort. Cargan also noted that American Express planned to hold events for International Women's Day in 20 locations and encouraged other organizations to join the conversation using the hashtag #TheAmbitionProject.