Slew of healthcare companies named tops for executive women

NEW YORK — A host of drug store industry-related companies were named to the 2017 National Association for Female Executives Top Companies for Executive Women. In alphabetical order, these companies, among the 60 named to the list, include Abbott Labs, Cardinal Health, Colgate Palmolive, Eli Lilly, General Mills, Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg, L’Orèal, Merck, Procter & Gamble, Roche, Target and Walmart.

"The NAFE Top 60 Companies for Executive Women are the leaders in the U.S. that have moved women into top executive positions and created a culture where talented women are nurtured, promoted and thrive," said Betty Spence, president of NAFE. "We are very proud to honor their contributions to the advancement of women in the workplace."

The 2017 NAFE Top Companies application includes some 200 questions on female representation at all levels, especially the corporate officer and profit-and-loss ranks. The vetting process includes tracking access and usage of programs and policies that promote the advancement of women as well as the training and accountability of managers in relation to the number of women who advance. In order to be eligible for the NAFE Top Companies survey, entrants must have a minimum of 1,000 employees, two women on the Board of Directors and be a public or private company. NAFE also separately names the Top 10 companies in the nonprofit sector.

Cardinal Health, which appeared on the list for the sixth consecutive year, Cardinal Health was recognized for its work to help develop female entrepreneurs and executives both inside and outside its organization.

"We're proud to be recognized for our efforts supporting women," said Pam Kimmet, chief human resources officer at Cardinal Health. "We have a strong focus on fostering an inclusive environment because we know it enables us to better serve our customers and their patients. Leveraging the unique skills and capabilities of each team member allows us to be more innovative and adaptable, which is so critical to our company's long-term success."

The NAFE, founded in 1972, serves 20,000 members nationwide with networking, tools and solutions to strengthen and grow their careers and businesses.