We were very excited to learn that Women in Retail Leadership Circle Co-Founder Jennifer DiPasquale was quoted in a great article that appeared in Retail Dive last week. However, it was hard to “like” it since it discussed a very “unlikable” subject: that the retail industry is still very short on women leaders despite the fact that many have long been dependent on female consumers.

The article points out that while women are directly responsible for many retailers’ sales, they occupy only 5.6 percent of CEO positions at retail companies in the S&P 500. The percentage of board seats filled by women at retail companies is better at 19.9 percent, but still leaves a lot to be desired.

Why is there a lack of women leadership in retail? As Jen wisely pointed out, the lack of leadership could be due to a clog in the talent pipeline.

“A simple answer may be having more women in the pipeline,” Jen said. “Women need to be groomed for more P&L (profit-and-loss) jobs that pave the way for C-suite roles and opportunities.”

The article also pointed out that having more women in leadership positions and on corporate boards makes companies better. Citing a recent study by Catalyst, Jen noted that companies with the highest percentage of women board members outperformed those with the least in certain key metrics, including return on equity, return on sales and return on invested capital.

“Women have different skill sets than men, and can bring a unique perspective to any organization,” Jen said. “By nature, women are opportunity experts, and when we find one, we can remain laser-focused and not let ego get in the way.”

Katia Beauchamp, CEO of beauty retailer Birchbox, was also quoted in the Retail Dive article. Beauchamp said that having women in C-suite positions creates a diverse balance in leadership that offers new perspectives to challenges and opportunities.

“Growth and change comes from challenging our own ideas and preconceptions,” Beauchamp said. “We need to challenge our thinking and create opportunities for female leaders. The retail industry is no different from any industry in its need for diversity at the top, and without it, we aren’t realizing the potential of the evolution that needs to take place.”

So, what should women in retail do to make the situation better? In a word, network.

“Networking is of the utmost importance in moving ahead in any career,” Jen said, adding that women in retail should seek out mentors, be involved in peer groups and make their networking “strategic.”

“Determine whom you want to talk to; ask for what you want; and identify what you can offer in return,”Jen advised. “In my experience, women aspiring to leadership roles also need to learn the art of strategic influence and persuasion, which, like any skill, takes practice and dedication.”