Marcia Coné is founding executive director of the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, which helps women and girls reach their economic potential.
During her service, the Women’s Fund has invested over $1.5 million dollars to individuals and organizations across the state to engage in social change on behalf of women and girls.
Coné is also one of two Rhode Island delegates for Vision 2020, a national project focused on advancing gender equality by energizing the dialogue about women and leadership.
In addition, she is among 11 YWCA Northern Rhode Island Women of Achievement Award Winners for 2011.
PBN: How do you help women and girls who want to start their own business or may already be in business?
Seifert Systems Invests in Energy Efficiency to Strengthen Operations
For manufacturers, energy is more than just another operating expense. It plays a critical role…
Learn More
CONÉ’: Our focus at the fund is on encouraging women to engage, invest and act in ways that will end gender inequality. Our focus has been and continues to be on engaging women and girls in leadership at all levels and working toward their economic security. While we don’t work directly with women entrepreneurs, we do advocate eliminating barriers for women and girls who are interested in starting their own business or are already in business. We do this through our grant and community partnerships – in an effort to ensure that women and girls, and their communities, identify challenges and have the resources to overcome those challenges and become power brokers. We work to put women and girls in the driver’s seat. An example of how the fund is working collaboratively with other organizations and individuals is the Vision 2020 work underway with Susan Colantuono (Rhode Island’s second delegate to Vision 2020). Together we’ve convened a group of women in business to research and implement ways to increase access to capital for women entrepreneurs as well as increase the number of women in C-suite positions and on corporate boards in Rhode Island.
PBN: What has your proudest achievement been as founding executive director of the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island?
CONÉ’: Successfully steering the fund to its 10-year anniversary with the help of extremely talented, dedicated, resourceful, generous board members, partners, and staff is something I’m very grateful for and proud to have led. The successes we’ve had and challenges we’ve faced have prepared us to enter a new decade in the Fund’s history with energy and renewed purpose – I’m excited about what’s next!
PBN: What are the biggest economic challenges women and girls in the United States face?
CONÉ’: Gender inequality. Women and girls will consistently be at an economic disadvantage until gender balance is a reality in our country. On a more micro level, high unemployment rates, an unstable economy, and lack of access – for many women and girls – to a high quality education all add to the economic barriers faced by women and girls in the United States. Gender gaps have an impact on competitiveness and in the United States, and here in Rhode Island, there are gaps in women and girls’ economic participation, compensation and advancement.
PBN: How and why is Scandinavia more advanced than the United States when it comes to gender equality?
CONÉ’: Scandinavian countries understand that economies flourish when women are included. In my conversations with leaders in Iceland and Norway this summer, it’s clear that these countries understand that women are critical to their economic security. In fact, Newsweek recently reported that women reinvest 90 percent of their income into communities and families, while men invest about 40 percent. As well, these countries recognize that in order for women to close the participation and compensation gaps you’ve got to ensure advancement. These countries also have practices, policies and laws to ensure women’s participation in government (at all levels), in leadership positions in C-suites and on corporate boards. Scandinavian countries realize that having all of their resources available is the difference that makes a difference – quality of life, longevity, and well being of the country economically, politically, and socially relies on real equality.
PBN: Business-wise, in 10 or 20 years, where do you think American women will be in the efforts to equalize genders?
CONÉ’: In 10 or 20 years I hope we no longer need to have this conversation! Here in Rhode Island, the Women’s Fund intends to continue its work to bring about gender equality by advocating for policies that support women and girls across all sectors, investing in women and girls’ leadership, and engaging policy makers, leaders and all Rhode Islanders in conversation about how eliminating the gaps in participation, compensation and advancement is critical to the long term economic stability of our state.
