• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, September 5, 2019

Interpublic Group is backing a new consultancy that will work with companies to help implement female-focused programs, products and systems. The idea is to create and support environments and cultures at companies that foster career growth for women employees while insuring gender equity.

The consultancy has been dubbed Have Her Back Consulting, and IPG is taking a minority stake in the firm.

The three founders — all senior executives from IPG PR agency Golin — include Caroline Dettman, Erin Gallagher and Pamela Culpepper.

The firm’s origins are rooted in the Have Her Back initiative, an effort launched last year by Golin. It was a call to action for gender equity within creative departments at agencies. Now, as a formal business entity, its founders say the firm will work with “like-minded brands and companies to move from good intentions around inclusion to intentional actions inside and out.”

“Diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace are not just moral issues, they’re business imperatives,” stated Michael Roth, Chairman-CEO of IPG.

Ellen Johnson, IPG’s senior vice president of finance and treasurer of IPG and soon-to-be new CFO, will serve on the board of the new consultancy, which will be based in Chicago.