Latest list announcement marks three years of recognition of European Managing Director's work towards gender equity.
The Heroes Women Role Model Lists showcase leaders who are championing women in business and driving change for gender diversity in the workplace.
As Managing Partner for Europe, Christian Edelmann is the most senior role-model for other men in the region. But first and foremost, he is a father to two young children. By talking openly about his parental leave, Christian has reduced the stigma around it. As a result, many more men now take longer breaks.
As a HERoes role model, I want to normalize men taking long parental leave. I was able to take a career break after each of my children were born and my extended time off supported my wife’s choice to return earlier to full-time work to pursue her career ambitions
Following his most recent episode of parental leave, Christian was one of the architects of a revised parental leave program, which for the UK now includes 26 weeks of equal parental leave.
Fathers taking on greater childcare responsibilities will help address some of the inequities women experience in the workplace, something Christian is cognizant of as Global Sponsor of the employee group Women at Oliver Wyman.
Christian also personally oversees all efforts to meet the firm’s diversity targets in Europe.
When parental leave is split equally between two parents across an entire workforce, it reduces the so-called 'motherhood penalty' that gives rise to the lower pay and lower progression that affects women
