For this issue of Guam Business Magazine, we’re focusing on women in business.

Know one? How about 10? Or 20?

We are featuring businesswomen in the Mariana Islands and the teams at our businesses who are worthy of recognition, and what we found was a surprising number of businesswomen in commerce. 

I can’t say preparing for this issue was easy. 

Businesswomen permeate the business communities of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. If you feel there is a female executive we should include for a future list, then please let us know. 

I appreciate the businessman who emailed me as we were preparing for the magazine, and said, “Maureen, I highly suspect you have these two ladies already, nonetheless …”

We did not include our colleagues in the media profession, or indeed my fellow businesswomen at Glimpses of Guam, or within our Group. 

Aside from that, you’ll see that the list stretches across industries and includes our hardworking small business owners.

According to accounting firm Grant Thornton, in 2004 the global percentage of senior management roles held by women was 19.4%. This year, Grant Thornton reported the figure rose to 34.0%. 

As Grant Thornton said, “Gender parity is not just a matter of equality for its own sake.” Each of our businesswomen brings something unique to their businesses. But we know that in day-to-day operations there’s very little talk of gender because we are all too busy dealing with the realities of our island economies. If you live in Guam or Saipan, or visit us regularly, chances are you’ve seen and met some of these businesswomen out and about doing what executives of any gender do. 

I do not believe that in the islands — whatever does or does not go on in hiring practices elsewhere — that there is hiring for gender parity in the Mariana Islands. We are focused on filling essential roles in a market where we are short of talent. That’s a subject I hear a lot about in conversation. 

As to what positions female executives hold, Grant Thornton reports 47.6% hold human resources roles, 44.6% of the chief financial officer roles and 33% of chief marketing officers, “making these the three most frequently held roles for women.” 

The percentage of businesses with female chief executive officers has risen 2.6% since 2024 to 21.7%, lower than the 28.4% figure reached in 2023.

According to a 2020 report by McKinsey & Co., “research suggests that women leaders are adept at fostering collaborative work environments, encouraging open communication and team-based problem-solving.” 

McKinsey chose its words carefully. It’s certainly nice to hear, but now we’ll have to live up to that statement.