Recommended Resources

Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive
Beth Birmingham & Eeva Sallinen Simard (InterVarsity Press, 2022)

In Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive, authors Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard explore the challenging topic of gender diversity in senior leadership positions in faith-based organizations. Through the lens of belonging, they invite organizations to reflect on the impact of culture and policies on the gender composition of leadership teams.

Birmingham and Simard use stories and examples from various organizations to explore some of the barriers to women in senior leadership. They go on to offer specific and helpful guidance that points both women and men to courageous leadership. For the authors, courageous leaders bring together three qualities: the ability to lead from who they are, the conviction that discomfort is necessary to moving forward, and the discernment to know when they are called to step out and when they are called to step back to centre someone else’s voice.

This book is worthwhile reading for anyone who wonders why there are so few women in senior leadership positions. It is equally valuable for leaders who seek to build hiring and retention practices that reflect a theology of belonging and participation.

— Kristie Spyksma
SCSBC Associate Director of Learning