Allies in Action MEN WHO CHAMPION WOMEN IN THE BOARDROOM

BY: Kayvonna K. Stigall

In a world where gender equity remains a work in progress, a growing number of men are using their influence to open doors, amplify voices, and redefine what leadership looks like in the boardroom. These allies recognize that empowering women isn’t just an act of fairness — it’s a strategic advantage that fuels innovation, collaboration, and longterm success.

From mentoring emerging female leaders to advocating for equitable policies and inclusive hiring practices, these men are helping to reshape the culture of corporate leadership. In this article, we highlight a few men who lead by example — champions who don’t just talk about change, but actively create it. Explore the transformative work they’re doing to support women at the highest levels of business.

Carlos Cubia

Carlos Cubia models what it means to be a partner in advancing women’s leadership through meaningful accountability. A dynamic leader with a global track record across sales, HR, finance, insurance, and healthcare, Carlos has dedicated his career to making sure that every voice is heard, and every person is treated with dignity and respect. His commitment to community health and inclusion has made him a trusted advocate for belonging in every space he leads.

Carlos serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Community Health Impact & Belonging Officer at Corewell Health, Michigan’s largest health system. In this role, he leads efforts to advance community health and create a lasting impact for individuals and communities across the state. He is passionate about caring for the whole person with compassion and building a world where health and well-being are accessible to all.

Carlos is intentional and outspoken about building systems that elevate women into leadership. He provides guidance to women in diverse roles throughout the organization, helping foster growth and visibility. Through these efforts, women are positioned to shape decisions and drive meaningful outcomes. His leadership reflects a commitment to creating environments where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

David Johnson is a business owner and senior partner at PCG Asset Management Firm. An experienced wealth management specialist, he combines in-depth financial knowledge with a client-first approach. He founded the firm in 2009 after 22 years as a financial advisor with UBS, Paine Webber, and Kidder Peabody.

David is committed to helping business owners and pre-retirees navigate financial planning challenges and achieve their goals. He is a master connector of people and has an unwavering commitment to supporting women in business.

Simon Boag

Simon Boag is Chief Executive Officer of Aro Homes, a residential development and construction company focused on carbon-negative, precision-engineered homes. With more than 25 years of senior executive experience across manufacturing, purchasing, and service operations, he is recognized as a “servant leader” who values building people up, empowerment, and embracing speed and innovation.

A committed ally for women in leadership, Simon draws on leadership roles at Chrysler, General Motors, and Mopar to champion inclusive leadership and equitable advancement. He mentors and sponsors women leaders, sets expectations for gender-balanced leadership teams, and ensures women hold seats at key decision-making tables where strategy is shaped. He is particularly passionate about elevating women with non-traditional or nonlinear career paths and challenging organizations to broaden how they define leadership talent.