catalyst-featured-resereach-hero-general

Spotlight on Women CEOs

Among the 2024 Fortune 500 list, women made up only 9% of CEOs and held 33% of their board seats. For women of color, that number was less than 8%. At the current rate of progress, it will take nearly a half century for corporate America to reach parity for women.

Why does this matter? Gender inclusion at all levels ensures the best insights and perspectives are brought forward. Creating an inclusive environment with fair organizational structure and processes has been shown to contribute to higher employee engagement and retention.

Many organizations are working to close the gender gap by implementing programs that help measure retention, fair pay, and other metrics. Catalyst’s CEO Champions for Change is just one example, among many initiatives, of companies that are dedicating resources to meet the challenges facing talent today and tomorrow.

Read full C4C report

The double-bind dilemma

Women in leadership are often evaluated against a “masculine” standard. These gender stereotypes create a no-win situation for women leaders who are either viewed as "too tough" or "too soft.” The consequence is that women are held to higher standards with fewer rewards. Companies can employ strategies for dismantling the double-bind, including standardizing how employees are evaluated and advocating for the advancement of women.

Learn more

The state of women in leadership at Fortune 500 companies

  • 10.4%

    of women are CEOs.
    (Source:
    Fortune, 2024) 

  • 33%

    of women are on the Board of Directors.
    (Source:
    Fortune, 2024)

  • 7.8%

    of people on the Board of Directors are women of color.
    (Source:
    Forbes, 2024)

  • 65%

    of female board members feel they wield influence on their boards, compared to 81% of male board directors.
    (Source:
    Fortune, 2024) 

Black women and the glass cliff

The glass cliff phenomenon occurs when women advance into top leadership positions only when the company is experiencing poor performance or turmoil. When women of color experience the glass cliff, they face even more scrutiny, aggression, and lack of empathy, making it harder for them to perform at their full potential as leaders. To prevent this, organizations should develop inclusive succession planning, root out bias from hiring and promotion processes, and measure progress to create accountability and transparency.

Read the blog

Join Mellody Hobson (Co-CEO and President, Ariel Investments) and Melonie Parker (Chief Diversity Officer, Google) as they share a candid conversation about challenges they’ve faced as executive leaders and women of color in the workplace. Discover key perspective shifts to prioritize talent as an asset—and learn how to encourage the genius in your ranks to thrive at every level of your organization.

Watch on YouTube

Related insights

View More
  • Q & A / Video

    Katie Taylor: From CEO to philanthropist

    Katie Taylor, from CEO to philanthropist, is championing women's advancement and more equitable workplaces for all through her lasting advocacy work and charitable causes.

    • Inclusive workplaces
    • Gender representation
    • Stereotypes and bias
  • Article

    Pamela Allen: Breaking barriers in finance

    Pamela Allen, the first woman CEO of MD Financial Management, is paving the way for women in finance.

    • Inclusive workplaces
    • Workforce trends
    • Gender representation
  • Report

    This CEO community is keeping and advancing their best talent. Are you?

    These 8+ CEOs are advancing pay equity and retaining women at all levels of their organizations. Learn how.

    • Diversity and Inclusion governance
    • Gender representation
    • Measurement
  • Media Release

    On pay equity, transparency, and advancing women into leadership, Catalyst CEO Champions For Change companies outperform global peers

    On pay equity, transparency, and advancing women into leadership, Catalyst CEO Champions For Change companies outperform global peers

    • Career equity
    • Pay gap and transparency
    • Gender representation
  • Report

    Aligning actions to values: The Catalyst CEO Champions For Change

    In 2021, Champion companies outpaced their peers in women’s representation at the executive and senior manager levels.

    • Diversity and Inclusion governance
    • Career equity
    • Gender representation
    • Measurement
  • List

    Historical Women CEOs of the Fortune lists: 1972-2023

    A list of all women CEOs who have appeared on the Fortune 500 since 1972, updated once per year.

    • Career equity
    • Gender representation
  • Media Release

    Catalyst CEO Champions For Change advance women, pay equity

    Report shows Champions For Change companies outpace peers on representation and tracking pay equity.

    • Inclusive leadership
    • Career equity
    • Gender representation
    • +1
  • Practices \ Video

    Boston Scientific: Accelerating Progress for Women by Creating Equal Opportunities for Growth

    Between 2017 and 2020, women in executive leadership roles at global organization Boston Scientific increased from 12.5% to 26.7%.

    • ERGs
    • Gender representation
    • Inclusive leadership
  • Media Release / Video

    Catalyst CEO Champions For Change advance women in leadership despite pandemic challenges

    Catalyst CEO Champions For Change doubled down on DEI in the midst of a global pandemic and turbulent economy.

    • Career equity
    • Recruitment and retention
    • Gender representation
    • Measurement
  • Article

    Women in the workforce: United States

    A statistical snapshot of the population, education, labor force, and leadership positions of American women in the workforce.

    • Career equity
    • Gender representation
    • Stereotypes and bias
  • Article

    5 inspiring podcasts for women leaders

    Check out these stand-out podcasts hosted by women, including women of color, and featuring inspiring women leaders as guests.

    • Career equity
    • Gender representation