Forward Track

Program Increases Retention of High Talent Women

Flynn Heath Holt helped a large professional services firm increase their retention of talented women leaders at the senior manager level. The firm was troubled because these women had been leaving at a rate of 40% each year, diminishing the pipeline of future partner talent for the firm. After interviewing incumbents and reviewing attrition data, Flynn Heath designed a highly successful development and retention program called Forward Track.

The eleven month program focuses on 24 high talent women who are selected each year. They receive a thorough leadership assessment which includes 360 interviews, they attend four two-day skills clinics and they receive executive coaching from a Flynn Heath coach. In addition, they receive support and guidance from client sponsors and informal interaction with female senior partners who are role models.

Impact

The Forward Track program has been expanded from one major business line to three and is in its sixth year of successful operation. The current retention rate is now above 98%, up from 40% six years ago.