BCD Travel has created a new Women of Distinction Award and named Kathy Jackson, executive vice president of Global Client Management and Advito, as its first recipient.
“With the award we want to celebrate extraordinary women in our organization,” said John Snyder, BCD president and chief executive officer. “We hope it will inspire people across the company by putting a spotlight on role models of achievement and innovation.”
The award, timed to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, celebrates Jackson’s achievements over 37 years with the travel management company. She started her career as a travel agent and quickly moved into leadership positions. In her current role, she is responsible for BCD’s program management team and business travel consulting arm, Advito. She is also the executive chair for the TMC’s global sustainability program.
BCD supports gender equity and equality
BCD is active in supporting gender equality, a central element in the UN Global Compact. The company is a member of the Compact and supports its sustainable development goals; gender equality is No. 5 on the list of 17 goals.
In 2018, the company was named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Women. The recognition is based on workplace conditions that further gender equality, such as embracing diversity, implementing parental leave policies and encouraging professional advancement opportunities for women. The website FlexJobs named BCD one of 2019’s most flexible employers because of its focus on work-life balance; the company has made the list several times.
More women leading in the future
Women make up 70% of BCD’s global workforce. At the directors level and above, 50% are women. BCD has expanded its leadership training program to strengthen management skills and opportunities for employees at all levels. Last year, 125 employees went through the program—four times more than in 2017. Participation reflected the gender makeup of BCD’s overall workforce—about 70% of management trainees were women.
“We hope that with our actions we achieve a better gender balance on an executive level,” said Christian Dahl, senior vice president of Talent Management & Global Human Resources at BCD. ”By increasing flexibility in our jobs, expanding our training programs and providing the culture that motivates women to move up the ranks, we hope to retain our current women employees and encourage even more to join us.”
Learn more about Kathy Jackson’s leadership role in BCD’s sustainability efforts, and ask how BCD can help you build a corporate travel program that’s good for your business, your employees and the planet.
