Watching her two daughters build their careers while at the same time raise children made Lilly Marks pause and realize how much has and has not changed for women in the professional world.
Marks, who is vice president for health affairs at the University of Colorado and executive vice chancellor of the Anschutz Medical Campus, spoke to more than 55 faculty women at the third in a series of professional development programs for women in academic medicine presented by the Women’s Mentoring Group led by Shilpa Buch, Ph.D., and Sue Swindells, M.B.B.S.
While education has reached a point where there are now just as many women entering medical school, the number of women representing full-time faculty hovers just around 38 percent.
And of those, only 15 percent are in a position of authority and call the shots.
“Why does this disparity exist?” Marks asked.
Marks provided a few reasons, including organizational barriers, gender bias and a woman’s own lack of confidence that holds them back.
To overcome those barriers, Marks said it is imperative that women “understand the organizational, cultural, political, financial and personal dynamics of your institution. These things are fundamental to your success,” she said.
There are gender differences, Marks said, but that doesn’t mean women can’t overcome those differences.
Women need to learn to lead from the back row, she said. Speak up and come prepared so that what you do say, you say with confidence.
In this way, Marks said, you can establish yourself as a thought leader and someone whose advice is sought after.
Marks also advised women to place a higher value on themselves so that when they do get promotions they feel confident in negotiating for the tools they will need to be successful in their new role.
“Above all be humble, lead by example and do the right thing when you do find yourself in a position of authority,” she said.