Women CEOs and in the C-Suite

The Number Of Women In Senior Executive Roles Hasn’t Increased In 10 Years; Let’s Change It

Overview

Partners

According to the World Economic Forum, the proportion of women in senior executive roles globally has been stuck at 24% for more than a decade. In the United States, one in five C-Suite leaders are women; one in 25 C-Suite leaders are women of color (2018 Women in the Workplace-McKinsey/Lean In).

Studies indicate that nearly 80 percent of women executives are concentrated in finance, legal and HR, not in operating roles that lead to CEO opportunities. Studies show men are more likely to receive information on P&L (profit and loss) jobs over women as well as support and encouragement to consider operating roles (Working Mother Media, 2019).

WBC is seeking full gender parity in the C-suite by 2030. Additionally, we want to see:

  • 10% of all women in the C-Suite to be women of color by 2030
  • 8% and 17% of women occupying the C-Suite have substantial P&L responsibility by 2025 and 2030 respectively
  • 25% and 30% of candidates assessed for C-Suite roles are women by 2025 and 2030 respectively
  • Equal numbers of men and women receive detailed information on career paths leading to line management roles by 2025