Who’s That Gal: Patricia Milligan, CEO of EDGE Americas

Age: 66
Occupation: Business leader
Currently living in: Split time between Utah and Pennsylvania
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Currently reading: Say it Louder by Tiffany Cross
Favorite workout: Anything in nature
I never leave home without: Water

What is the EDGE Certification?

EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender equality. Our robust and thoughtful approach, which features an independent third-party validation, accelerates progress toward gender equality for organizations by delivering a holistic strategy proven to enhance performance, improve workplace culture, and attract and retain talent.

Congratulations on being named CEO of EDGE Americas! Professionally, how do you see the next year unfolding for you?

If there’s one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, it’s that you can plan, but you can’t predict. For us to come out of this stronger, it’s critical that we remain nimble and stay committed to learning and growing as individuals and organizations. It’s impossible to know how the next year will unfold, but for my part, I’m excited to pursue my passion to foster more equal and inclusive workplaces and I think there’s a real appetite to scale that work and get more organizations on the right track.

What is one thing about you that would not necessarily be posted on your LinkedIn profile?

My LinkedIn profile makes it seem like I had a grand plan from the beginning to work in human resources and pursue gender equality, but to be honest, that really wasn’t the case. Your work needs to bring you joy and bring out the best in you, and I’ve been lucky to have had a series of opportunities that did just that. You must take advantage of luck and timing, and there was a lot of luck and help along the way that shaped my professional journey.

What motivated you to begin working on gender equity issues?

What motivated me was seeing the global gender parity index and realizing what a terrible story it told. I thought, ‘if it’s really going to take us 217 years to attain gender parity, whatever we’re doing is not enough.’ The rates of educational attainment are now equal, yet too few women stay in the workforce and when they step out, they have a very difficult time stepping back in and advancing professionally. That’s just not good enough, and collectively, if we ignore such a huge pool of talent and creativity and innovation, we do so at our own peril.

How does EDGE help create diverse, inclusive, and equal workforces?

One of the key elements of EDGE certification is that we make data transparent, accessible, and actionable. When an organization commits to the EDGE process, they’re committing to accountability. If you’re willing to show where you are from a recruitment, pay, and promotion standpoint – in the data, not just in perception – that's going to move the needle faster than anything else.

How do you balance your career with your personal life?

Forty years into my career, I can’t honestly say that society has found a way to fully achieve a work-life balance. But I think we can integrate work and home, and that’s what I’ve tried to do. There are going to be times when family needs to come first, or other times when things are ramping up at work and you need to lean in there. In a practical sense, for me, it’s been about making it clear to my team that being there for my family is as important as being there for my clients.

What advice would you give to someone who is passionate about making the world a more gender-equitable place?

There will only be equality in the workplace when we demand it – it's as simple as that. You need to demand equality and be vigilant about it. When considering a company, determine if equality and fairness are core values and, if not, find a different opportunity. Don’t be afraid to look at new paths or different kinds of roles if you don’t feel fulfilled or if you’re not being treated fairly.

I would also encourage women, especially young women early in their careers, to commit to continuous learning. Take advantage of all the networks at your disposal. There are so many great places, even online, to collaborate with and learn from other women. The more you understand about what’s going on in the gender equality space, the more you can be a champion for yourself. 

Love reading about inspiring women?

Annie Shalvey is a communications professional living and working in Rhode Island. She enjoys writing about career and professional development for JUGS and spends most of her free time thrift shopping. Follow her on Instagram @Annie.Shalvey

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