Keynote: The New Threats to Women’s Advancement at Work (Day 1)

In this episode, we hear from Antoinette Benoit, a Franco-Canadian former Chief Marketing Officer and diversity advocate, about the new threats to women’s advancement in the workplace. With political and societal shifts challenging DEI efforts, she discusses why female leaders must take bold action to reset inclusive leadership now.

5 Key Takeaways

1️⃣ Progress in Diversity Is Real but Slow – Women hold only 8-10% of CEO roles globally despite years of effort.

2️⃣ Backlash Against DEI Is Rising – Toxic leadership and political shifts are fueling resistance to workplace diversity.

3️⃣ Inclusive Leadership Benefits Everyone – A more collaborative, empathetic workplace benefits both men and women.

4️⃣ Women & Men Must Work Together – Inclusion isn’t a women-only issue; male leaders must actively support progress.

5️⃣ Action Is Needed Now – Investing in early leadership training, research, and mentorship is critical for lasting change.

Progress isn’t irreversible. If leaders don’t act now, hard-won gains in diversity could be lost. Political shifts, societal resistance, and corporate hesitation pose real threats to inclusive leadership. Women and men must unite to champion workplace inclusion, ensuring diversity remains a business and social priority.

Companies must go beyond performative DEI efforts—investing in real structural change, leadership development, and fostering inclusive cultures that benefit all employees.

📢 Final message from Antoinette: “You only know what you’ve lost once it’s gone. If we don’t want to lose progress, we must actively protect and advance it.”

Where to Find Antoinette Benoit

Antoinette is available on LinkedIn and works with CMOs and marketing executives seeking strategic guidance in leadership, branding, and executive committee collaboration.

Connect with her here: Antoinette Benoit | LinkedIn