June 14, 2019
“The Three Ruths”
At our “Women’s 100” event in NYC, Shelley Dropkin of Citigroup was honored with a lifetime achievement award. Shelley was kind enough to let us blog about her remarks. Here’s an excerpt:
Before I close, I would like to pay tribute to three women who in very different ways inspired and guided me. Interestingly, they are all named Ruth.
For years I carried for inspiration the words of Ruth Bader Ginsburg – who spoke most eloquently about what the support of her mother had meant to her – she described her mother as “the bravest and strongest person I have known, who was taken from me much too soon. I pray that I may be all that she would have been had she lived in an age when women could aspire and achieve and daughters are cherished as much as sons.”
The second is my sister-in -law Ruth Hochberger – Ruth was the editor in chief of the New York law journal raising her children in New York City when we met. She had figured out that balance that so many women were searching for and that I had just begun to grapple with. It was with her as a role model that I figured out that I could make a life as a mother and a professional work – and for that I am grateful.
Finally – and this is the most difficult – is my mother Ruth, who I lost way too young. She believed in me as only a mother can and made me believe in myself. I can only hope that I have provided that same foundation of love and support to my boys. It is to my mom that I dedicate this award.
Our “Women’s 100” Events: 10 Things We Discussed
Our annual “Women’s 100 Conferences” – in both Palo Alto & NYC – continue to be my favorite thing. Here are 10 discussion topics that Aon’s Karla Bos & I came up with for our “Big Kahuna” session:
1. Linking executive compensation to E&S/sustainability metrics: will it get much traction outside of energy companies?
2. State Street’s new “R-Factor” ESG rating
3. Investor & company views on the “Long-Term Stock Exchange”
4. Providing non-GAAP reconciliations in the CD&A
5. Proxy advisor/shareholder proposal reform
6. How to get started with sustainability reporting
7. Investor & company views on involving IR in engagement meetings
8. Equal pay audits & disclosure
9. Investor expectations for “human capital” disclosure
10. How to interact with shareholder proponents at meetings
Sights & Sounds: “Women’s 100 Conference ’19”
This 45-second video captures the sights & sounds of the “Women’s 100” events that recently wrapped up in Palo Alto & NYC:
– Liz Dunshee