Good morning, Broadsheet readers! OB-GYNs are getting less abortion training, tech execs support Vice President Kamala Harris, and female executives see opportunity in disruption. Have a lovely Tuesday!
– Disruptive landscape. Where male leaders see the threat of disruption, women see opportunity, according to a new report by the consulting firm AlixPartners.
Across 15 disruptive forces—regulation and geopolitics, social concerns, interest rates, the environment, aging populations, data privacy, and more—women business leaders consistently see more opportunity than threat compared to their male peers. AI is the only issue where women and men see equal opportunity. The highest gap is on regulation, policy, and geopolitics, which 19% more female leaders than male leaders identify as an opportunity, followed by social concerns at 15%.
That’s not due to a rose-colored view at what these megatrends mean for business and society at a tumultuous time. Alongside their optimism, women leaders expect more significant changes to how their businesses “operate and deliver value” in the coming year. Respondents to this survey were 3,000 executives at director level and above across nine countries at companies with at least $100 million (and half of which were at least $1 billion in revenue).
So the question is: Does an optimistic outlook lead to better results?
Optimism can be an advantage, argues AlixPartners managing director and partner Kathryn Britten. “Their positive view of disruption means they are more likely to embrace and adapt to change, looking beyond challenges to seize opportunities,” Britten says. “Viewing change as a threat risks stagnation, but our female leaders expressed confidence in navigating disruptive forces.”
She hypothesizes that female leaders are already familiar with disruption in their personal lives and careers. They’ve been affected by career breaks, the ebb and flow of work and family commitments, as well as gender bias in the workplace. “Today’s female leaders have built resilience on their journeys, helping them recognize and seize opportunities presented by disruptive forces,” she says.
Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com
The Broadsheet is Fortune’s newsletter for and about the world’s most powerful women. Today’s edition was curated by Nina Ajemian. Subscribe here.
ALSO IN THE HEADLINES
- Real estate rules. Mortgage financing provider Fannie Mae, with CEO Priscilla Almodovar, is getting ready to tighten rules on real estate lending alongside Freddie Mac. Under the stricter rules, lenders would have to be more involved in the financials of borrowers and properties. Wall Street Journal
- Highs and lows. A new report shows that OB-GYNs have more pregnant patients with risky medical complications but are getting less abortion training. The report, from the Democrats on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, notes the impact that the overturning of Roe v. Wade has had on abortion education, abortion access, and OB-GYN residency programs. NBC
- Tech support. Google, Netflix, and OpenAI executives are hosting a fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris on Aug. 27 in D.C. The event announcement follows a show of support for Harris from the tech world, including donations from LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman and Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings, as well as the launch of VCs for Kamala. Meanwhile, Harris is expected to announce her VP pick this morning, with early reports suggesting it is Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Business Insider
- Black girl magic. Rebeca Andrade, Simone Biles, and Jordan Chiles composed the first all-Black gymnastics podium at the Olympics. Andrade took home gold, Biles silver, and Chiles bronze at the women’s floor exercise finals. Teen Vogue
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Feld Entertainment, home to the Ringling Bros., named Juliette Feld Grossman chief executive officer. Most recently, Grossman was Feld Entertainment’s chief operating officer.
Torch promoted Heather Conklin to chief executive officer. Previously, Conklin was chief operating officer.
Astound Broadband named Toni Murphy as executive vice president, chief operating officer. Most recently, Murphy was senior vice president of sales and marketing for Comcast’s central division.
Trax Retail named Brittany Billings chief marketing officer. Most recently, Billings served as executive vice president of global marketing at Trax.
ON MY RADAR
Work-life balance is a ‘gauntlet’ for women, Ellevest founder Sallie Krawcheck says Fortune
With AI sexual abuse on the rise, the White House is tapping Big Tech for support The 19th
Usha Vance calls 'childless cat ladies' comments a ‘quip’ Politico
PARTING WORDS
“What is the risk-reward of being patient versus being aggressive?”
— Olympian Kristen Faulkner on what she brought from venture capital to cycling after quitting her VC job and earning a surprise gold medal
