The following commentary is by Tahra Goraya, President and CEO of Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, a regional member-supported nonprofit organization whose mission is improving the economic health and quality of life in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.
(April 20, 2026 — Marina, CA) — Let’s call it what it is: “bro culture” isn’t harmless — it is a system that too often advances men’s careers by quietly dismantling the work of women, especially women of color.
Isn’t it Patriarchy? Patriarchy is the broader system: a long-standing social structure where men, as a group, hold primary power in political, economic, and cultural institutions. It shapes norms, expectations, and access to opportunity across society.
“Bro culture,” on the other hand, is a modern expression of that system — how it often shows up in workplaces and professional spaces today. It’s the informal, behavior-driven layer: tight male networks, favoritism, idea appropriation, dismissiveness toward women, and a lack of accountability masked as camaraderie or “fit.”
So no, they aren’t interchangeable. But bro culture operates within patriarchy — it’s one of the ways patriarchal dynamics are maintained in contemporary settings, especially in places and industries that pride themselves on being “progressive.”
It is prevalent at every level; not a day goes by without a headline. Unfortunately, the tri-county Monterey Bay region is no different in upholding and supporting the bro culture. The threshold for performance and success is much higher for women. And if you don’t conform to what the bros dictate, you risk reputational harm, direct economic impact with your job, or physical and sexual harm.
Calling it “bro culture” can make the issue feel more visible and immediate — something you can point to in meetings, hiring decisions, or leadership behavior. But it’s important not to minimize it. What feels like culture is often structured. And what looks like isolated behavior is often part of a much larger, deeply rooted system.
It shows up in familiar ways. Ideas offered by women are ignored, then praised when repeated by male colleagues. Projects are reassigned just as they gain visibility. Informal networks — texts, golf outings, closed-door conversations — become the real decision-making spaces, where access is limited and accountability disappears. Meanwhile, women are told to “be collaborative” as their contributions are diluted or erased.
For women of color, the cost is even higher. They navigate both gender and racial bias, often doing the labor of innovation, relationship-building, and crisis management without recognition or advancement. When they speak up, they risk being labeled difficult. When they stay silent, their work is taken — literally.
This isn’t about hurt feelings — it’s about power, ownership, and economic opportunity. Organizations lose talent, stall innovation, and normalize dysfunction when they allow this behavior to persist.
Dismantling bro culture requires more than statements. It means tracking who does the work and who gets the credit. It means interrupting idea theft in real time. It means closing informal power loops and enforcing consequences for misconduct, regardless of status. It means accountability, including men who purport allyship, and women who help support, embolden, and empower the bro culture.
Equity is not a side initiative. It is a measure of whether an organization is willing to value integrity over comfort — and whether it is serious about building something that lasts.
Bro culture is everywhere. It’s the silent elephant in the room, and its impact on so many levels is nothing short of crushing. Let’s call it out for what it is: a toxic manifestation that pervades our culture and ultimately harms us all.
About Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP): Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) is a regional member-supported nonprofit organization consisting of public, private, and civic entities located throughout the counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz. Founded in 2015, our mission is to improve the economic health and quality of life in the region.