Latin American female execs expose persistent corporate sexism
CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES—Two seasoned female executives have revealed the pervasive sexism still plaguing Latin American boardrooms.
In a Nearshore Americas discussion, Nora Zamora, a digital marketing executive, and Nathalie Howell, a UX designer, shared their experiences navigating the corporate landscapes of both Latin America and the United States, exposing stark differences and persistent challenges.
Gender bias: A barrier to women’s professional growth
Both Zamora and Howell agree that sexism is more prevalent in Latin American corporate environments compared to their U.S. counterparts.
Zamora noted, “Men in LATAM –in my experience, working in Costa Rica– are less open to listening to a woman’s opinion; they’re much less comfortable with female leaders.”
“Some women feel the need to act like toxic males in the workplace to be heard. If a woman shows up to a business environment leaning into her femininity, they are often not heard and maybe even considered dumb.”
This attitude often manifests in passive-aggressive behaviors and the dismissal of women’s ideas, only to have them later presented by male colleagues as their own.
Meanwhile, Howell recounted a personal experience that exemplifies this issue: “I proposed something that the company actually needed… I was told that my idea would not be implemented because it was too ambitious for our company. Six months later, this male leader presented my idea as his own.”
She attributes part of the problem to outdated corporate cultures, especially in long-established companies, stating, “In big corporations, with decades of history, these issues are worse. It’s as if the culture remains the same; stuck in the 1990s. And you can see that in the leadership.”
Howell added that in traditional corporate environments, “You need to be like a bulldog… We’re like that because we’re forced to be.”
This struggle extends to appearance as well. Zamora recounted an experience where a female executive advised her to tone down her femininity before a meeting, highlighting the pervasive belief that women must conform to masculine norms to succeed.
However, Zamora resisted, stating, “I refuse to give up my femininity, and I’m for sure not going to give up my fashion because some boy, or some toxic man with mommy issues doesn’t know how to look at a woman.”
Strategies for success in male-dominated environments
To thrive in these challenging environments, both executives have developed strategies to assert their presence and expertise.
Zamora refuses to compromise her femininity but emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation: “Do your homework. Make sure that you clearly understand what it is that you want to do, what you want to talk about.”
Howell added, “You really need to be very good at your job, in order to trust yourself.”
She also focuses on physical presence and technical expertise: “Visually, I try to be as intimidating as possible… I always wear black, so that helps a lot too. If you see a tall person wearing black, that carries a serious aura.”
Women’s workplace progress stagnates globally
The experiences shared by Zamora and Howell align with global trends. A recent Deloitte study revealed that women’s progress in the workplace is stagnating across four key areas – mental health, unbalanced domestic responsibilities, non-inclusive behaviors, and a lack of “Gender Equality Leaders.”
Moreover, the race toward global gender parity at the chief executive officer (CEO) level has slowed down. According to a 2023 study by Russell Reynolds Associates, it will now take 81 years to achieve equality, an increase of seven years from 2022 projections.
Despite the challenges, both executives encourage younger women to stand firm and maintain their integrity. As Zamora put it, “Speak your truth and be comfortable in the strength of your healthy femininity… Handle it with grace.”
