Paradigm for Parity® CEO Sandra Quince Reflects on 2022

As we head into the end of the 2022 holiday season, Paradigm for Parity® CEO, Sandra Quince answered a few questions and reflected on what she’s looking forward to in 2023.

What Paradigm for Parity® accomplishment are you most proud of from 2022?

There is so much to be proud of! Our inaugural Multicultural and Intergenerational Women’s Summit was truly inspiring and allowed us to look forward. I am most proud of the Paradigm for Parity Profit and Loss Leadership Accelerator program pilot we completed this year — a multi-pronged six-month development signature program for early career (5–10 years) — designed to fast-track women into senior operating roles that eventually lead to the C-Suite.

What do you hope to see Paradigm for Parity accomplish in 2023?

We are doing such amazing work and I am so excited to see the growth of the coalition. In addition to the webinars, annual meeting, and summit, we also have the 5-point action plan that provides leaders with a roadmap for success. The more companies that join the coalition and commit to a path to parity, the sooner women of all races, cultures, and backgrounds have equal power, status, and opportunity to larger and influential leadership roles. Aside from the growth of our coalition members and the evolution of the programs to meet the current needs, I hope to see P4P continuing to build key partnerships and expanding globally.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned since joining Paradigm for Parity in 2021?

Leading this organization has provided me with broader knowledge operationally around leading a non-profit. It has also afforded me the opportunity to have a more macro view of diversity and inclusion across multiple industries. One of the most impactful experiences so far was the executive coaching we provide as part of the Paradigm for Parity Profit and Loss Leadership Accelerator. The sessions gave me a chance to focus on myself and think about my past, current, and future career objectives. The trust and connection I built with my coach allowed me to leverage important aspects of myself that I never had the time to explore in the past. It was an incredible and life-changing experience and helped me become better equipped to deal with the day-to-day decisions I face as a CEO.

How have your member companies implemented Paradigm for Parity goals?

I cannot say enough about our member companies. They are all in different places on their journeys. Some are seasoned and have implemented the 5-point action plan by creating sponsorship programs, setting targets to measure progress, and minimizing bias in their people processes. Others are just starting out or amid their journey and working to achieve parity. No matter where companies are in the process we can support them with strategic direction, benchmarking, and programming. One of the benefits of the coalition is the willingness of companies to share their leading practices for success and create opportunities for shared learning.

What is the biggest challenge you see for Paradigm for Parity in 2023?

One of the biggest challenges for 2023 will continue to be gender parity, but more specifically gender parity for women of color. This is one of the reasons we have been intentional in developing programs that focus on women of color, including enhancing our survey to measure progress of women by ethnicity and updating our mission and vision language to be inclusive of racial equity. With more than two million women who have not returned to the workplace, we have lost progress that was made toward gender parity. At every level of leadership, we need companies and leaders to act now. There is no time to waste. We need to invest in women and their success.

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?

I am really grateful for the opportunity to be the first CEO of Paradigm for Parity. It has been a rewarding experience due to the amazing P4P team, co-chairs, partners, supporters, and board of directors. I also have to express my gratitude for my husband and son who have supported me every step of the way. The work we do at P4P can be challenging and exhausting at times, but I sleep well knowing we are making a difference and that’s what keeps me going.