2024 Women CEOs in America Report Highlights Progress and Challenges in Corporate Leadership

The Women Business Collaborative (WBC) has released its 2024 Women CEOs in America Report, shedding light on both the advancements and ongoing hurdles for women in corporate leadership roles. WBC, an alliance of more than 85 women’s business organizations and hundreds of business leaders is dedicated to promoting women in business.

The report, developed in partnership with Ascend, C200, and Catalyst, highlights notable progress in sectors such as the Russell 3000 and private enterprises. It points to a cultural shift in corporate boardrooms across the U.S., particularly in smaller public companies, where women have made significant inroads.

As of 2024, women’s representation in the Fortune 500 has risen to 10.4%, with 52 women serving as CEOs, up from 41 in 2021. Among the notable new appointments is Joanna Geraghty, who became the first woman to lead a major U.S. airline, JetBlue.

The report also reveals that in the Russell 3000, 9% of CEOs are now women, compared to 6.2% in 2021, representing a 66% increase. These figures demonstrate the growing presence of women in leadership roles within smaller public companies, emphasizing their increasing value in driving organizational success.

Additionally, the report highlights a surge in women entrepreneurs, who have grown by 41% year-over-year, outpacing their male counterparts by 25%. With 13.5 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., women now own 34% of all small businesses and franchises, contributing significantly to the economy.

In the realm of private companies valued at over $1 billion, the report notes a remarkable 118% increase in women CEOs from 2023. Prominent leaders such as Deb Liu at Ancestry.com and Beth Ford at Land O’ Lakes are at the forefront of driving transformative change in these organizations.

The findings from the CEO Report will be discussed at a panel during the WBC Action for Impact Annual Summit on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. The session, moderated by Kevin Cirilli, Founder of mtf.tv’s Meet the Future, will feature industry leaders including Jennifer McCollum, President and CEO of Catalyst; Anna Mok, President of Ascend; and Gwen K. Young, CEO of Women Business Collaborative (WBC).

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