Christy Rutherford, a renowned women’s leadership expert and executive coach, has emerged as a pivotal figure in elevating the careers of Black women across Corporate America. Since 2020, Rutherford has notably assisted her clients in securing over $14 million in salary increases, including groundbreaking seven-figure compensation packages for seven Black women.
Amidst a backdrop of corporate pledges towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with companies like Goldman Sachs and Bank of America investing an estimated $7.5 billion in these initiatives, progress has been tepid. As some organizations scale back on DEI efforts, Rutherford remains steadfast, leveraging over two decades of experience in breaking professional barriers.
Rutherford, a Harvard Business School alumna and a South Carolina State alumna, has a rich history of leadership and mentorship, particularly during her tenure in the US Coast Guard. “My superpower is helping people see a greater version of themselves,” Rutherford states, reflecting on her journey from mentoring to executive coaching. Her initiatives have significantly contributed to an increase in senior Black officers within the organization, fostering a conducive environment for leadership growth among women and minorities.
The corporate landscape, however, still presents challenges for many women. Rutherford points out a common dilemma: women feeling overworked, underpaid, and underpromoted. “What women are doing to be promoted actually makes them unpromotable,” she explains. This includes overextending themselves with additional degrees, extra projects, and extended work hours, which ironically may lead to being overlooked for promotions.
Data from McKinsey’s 2023 Women in the Workplace study corroborates this, showing that Black women consistently lag behind their white counterparts at every leadership level, with disparities growing particularly at the manager level. Rutherford’s approach to coaching addresses these systemic issues by emphasizing self-care and professional assertiveness.
Rutherford’s strategy for empowering her clients involves a mix of practical advice and holistic self-care, recommending regular meditation, exercise, sufficient sleep, and ambitious salary targets. She also advocates for establishing a Personal Board of Advisors, including a mentor, sponsor, and coach, to provide guidance, open professional doors, and ensure accountability in personal well-being.
Her vision extends beyond individual success; Rutherford aims to secure $1 billion in salary raises for 10,000 women by 2025. Her work not only champions the advancement of Black women in corporate settings but also challenges them to take control of their careers and health, ensuring they do not have to learn the importance of self-care “the hard way,” as she did after her own experiences with burnout led to a resignation from a promising military career.
Christy Rutherford’s coaching not only transforms careers but also redefines paradigms for Black women in Corporate America, encouraging them to recognize and own their value in a competitive and often unequal professional landscape.
For more information on Christy Rutherford’s initiatives and upcoming events, visit her website.
Learn more here at https://www.levelupwithchristy.com/virtual-experience
