Women Face Extra Barriers on CEO Pathways

A record 55 women now serve as Fortune 500 CEOs, but progress in elevating women to executive roles remains uneven amid reduced DEI investment following the 2024 U.S. election. Women are most likely to become CEOs after serving as CFO and are 32% more likely than men to face an additional hurdle of serving as president, reflecting persistent bias in executive succession. Boards and search committees often set criteria that exclude women and require more proof of readiness, with language citing a lack of 'executive presence' or vision. Women are also overrepresented in C-suite positions such as CHRO, which seldom lead to CEO roles. Early P&L experience, strong internal sponsorship, and proactive networking are highlighted as critical for advancement. Female tech executives encourage women to embrace fearlessness, proactively manage their careers, and build influence even before feeling fully confident.