Earlier this month, the Women’s Fund hosted its fourth annual Women in the Workplace Luncheon—bringing together more than 400 community members to celebrate progress and advance conversations around equity in the workplace.
This year, 67 local employers participated in the Women’s Fund Compass Survey, which measures key indicators such as women in leadership, compensation, supportive benefits and policies, and equitable recruitment and retention practices. Encouragingly, 85% of participating employers met or exceeded national benchmarks in at least one of these areas—an increase from 64% just one year ago. This year-over-year progress reflects a growing commitment among employers to strengthen workplace practices across our region.
At the luncheon, panelists from One Eleven Design, Northwestern Mutual, and Stillwater Hospice shared how their organizations have made meaningful changes informed by survey participation. One example: after implementing new policies and benefits, Stillwater Hospice reduced first-year employee turnover from 60% to just 6%—a powerful reminder of what’s possible when insight is put into action.
Two organizations were also recognized for their leadership: YWCA Northeast Indiana received the Moving the Needle Award for most improvement, and Indiana Michigan Power earned the Navigator Award for highest overall performance.
Following the event, each participating employer received a personalized scorecard with insights and next steps to continue building inclusive workplaces. The Women’s Fund also launched a new employer-focused newsletter to share tools, upcoming events, and opportunities—like Take a Girl to Work Day—throughout the year.
As part of our work to connect resources and provide leadership on key community issues, the Women’s Fund continues to drive measurable change in workplaces across our region. Participation in the Compass Survey is open annually to employers seeking to strengthen their workplace culture and practices. If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, consider attending an upcoming Women in the Workplace Lunch & Learn session. These sessions offer practical insights for employers, including topics like supporting women in middle management and preparing women for retirement.
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