McDermott recognizes the importance of retaining and advancing women leaders, and more specifically, working to actively advance women into senior roles, increase leadership capabilities in women, get women exposed to senior management, and support their continued development. 

McDermott developed the Advancing Women Leaders (AWL) Academy, which launched in August 2019. The AWL Academy program includes learning modules that seek to equip women with actionable steps and practices to address barriers that impede their advancement in the workplace. Through strategically targeted skill-building exercises, simulations, case studies and fostering meaningful connections with other women leaders, the AWL Academy develops the leadership strengths of our women leaders while creating a direct business impact.

Participants of the AWL Academy will:

• Understand the seven hurdles women must scale to achieve equality and advancement, particularly at higher levels in the organization
• Describe actions women can take to overcome these hurdles and the competencies essential for women to ascend to leadership
• Identify strengths and challenges
• Create an Individual Growth Plan that can be acted upon immediately to attain personal and strategic goals
• Become a positive force for equality, parity and excellence

McDermott’s inaugural Advancing Women Leaders (AWL) academy, held August 13-15, brought together 27 women from nine countries who represent 10 different areas of expertise. The three-day conference focused on developing the strengths of the organization’s female leaders.

“What we’re hearing from the participants is that what they valued wasn’t just the program’s content, but also the experience of connecting with other women across the globe,” said Tosha Perkins, Vice President of Talent & Organizational Development. “It was an opportunity that allowed each participant to talk about who they are and what they bring to the table—while also learning how to better state their value to the organization.”

McDermott developed AWL to equip women with actionable steps and practices and support their advancement in the workplace. The program is designed for women, from manager to executive level, who aspire to lead. Through strategically targeted skill-building exercises, simulations, case studies and fostering meaningful connections with other leaders, the AWL develops the strengths of our women leaders and has a direct benefit to our business, our customers and the industry.

Additional cohorts will be introduced to the AWL Academy in 2020.

Taisha Nurse, Director, Global Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I)