As leaders of some of the world’s biggest companies, female chief executive officers (CEOs) have more visibility and influence than ever before. In many ways, the growing representation of women in executive roles signals progress toward breaking the glass ceiling and enriching corporate strategies with more diverse perspectives. Meanwhile, the women in these roles are not only achieving personal milestones but also doing their part to reshape corporate values, drive innovation, and forge more inclusive and future-focused business landscapes.
Do you aspire to become the next female corporate leader making a difference in the business world? Read on to become inspired and gain a better understanding of what today’s women in leadership roles are doing to forge their own paths.
Women in Corporate Leadership
Recent studies have suggested that organizations with diverse leadership (including women) are more likely to perform better financially, generate more innovation, and handle risk more effectively than organizations without diversity in leadership. As you might imagine, then, female CEOs play a pivotal part in driving these positive outcomes through their own leadership and management styles.
What Percentage of Women Are in Business Leadership Roles?
What percentage of women are employed in business leadership, anyway? Since 2014, McKinsey & Company has partnered with LeanIn.org to study women and their involvement in corporate America. According to their 2024 report, “Over the past decade, women’s representation has increased at every level of corporate management.”
Perhaps most notably, their research found that women now make up 29% of C-suite positions in the United States — an increase of 12% since 2015. Meanwhile, the proportion of Fortune 500 companies with women CEOs is approximately 10%.
While the percentage of women CEOs and women in business leadership may not be as high as is ideal, it has been steadily rising over the years — and that’s a good sign.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
The “glass ceiling” is a term that has historically been used as a metaphor to describe the many invisible barriers that prevent people in underrepresented groups from advancing in their careers. A growing number of female CEOs stand as living proof that these barriers are being actively challenged, although much work remains to be done to achieve true equality and fair opportunity for all.
Top Women CEOs Leading Today’s Corporate World
The following examples of women in business highlight the growing presence of women at the top of the corporate hierarchy, reflecting diverse industries where female leaders are truly reshaping business strategies and organizational cultures.
Karen Lynch (CVS Health)
As an American businesswoman, Karen Lynch has most notably served as the CEO of CVS Health. Prior to this, however, she worked her way up the corporate ladder after obtaining her MBA, eventually becoming president of Cigna Dental and moving to a role as president of Magellan Health Services in 2009. Although she no longer serves as CEO of CVS Health, she continues to receive designations as a noteworthy female business leader and even published her own memoir in 2024.
Mary Barra (General Motors)
As CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra became the first female CEO of any “Big Three” automaker when she replaced Daniel Akerson in 2014. Believe it or not, her first job was as a co-op student at General Motors when she was just 18 years old. Talk about working your way to the top!
Julie Sweet (Accenture)
When Julie Sweet began working as general counsel for Accenture in 2010, few would have guessed she would be offered a CEO position there just five years later. As the company’s first female CEO, she became the 15th female CEO of a Fortune Global 500 company. During her time there, she has been regarded as a champion for diversity, inclusion, and gender equality.
Gail Boudreaux (Anthem, now Elevance Health)
In addition to serving as CEO of Elevance Health beginning in 2017, Gail Boudreaux has held business leadership roles for other major companies, ranging from Aetna and BlueCross BlueShield to UnitedHealth Group. Today, she is frequently regarded as one of the most powerful women in healthcare and serves as the first female-elected chair of The Business Council.
Emma Walmsley (GSK)
Though she currently serves as CEO of GSK, Emma Walmsley is no stranger to business leadership roles. Throughout her career, she has worked her way from general management and marketing roles to such positions as President of Consumer Healthcare Europe and General Manager of Consumer Products for L’Oreal.
Safra Catz (Oracle)
Since 1999, Safra Catz has worked at the executive level for the Oracle Corporation. However, in 2014, she was appointed as CEO, where she has served proudly since. In addition to being recognized as an influential business leader, Catz serves on the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company and has been on the Homeland Security Advisory Council.
Carol Tomé (UPS)
Since 2003, Carol Tomé has served as CEO of the United Parcel Service (UPS) but has also held roles as vice president, executive vice president, and chief financial officer (CFO) of The Home Depot. She has been named on Forbes’ list of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” as well as inducted as a Georgia Trustee by the Georgia Historical Society.
Beth Ford (Land O’Lakes)
Beth Ford joined Land O’Lakes in 2011, serving as a supply chain and operations officer before being promoted to COO and, ultimately, CEO in 2018. She has been named on Fortune’s list of “Most Powerful Women” in 2018, 2019, and 2020 — and has also been regarded as the first openly gay female CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Corie Barry (Best Buy)
Corie Barry was appointed as CEO of Best Buy in 2019, although she had been working for the company since 1999 and, according to Best Buy’s website, “held a variety of financial and operational roles across the organization, both in the field and at the corporate office.” In addition to her CEO role for Best Buy, she serves on the board of directors for Domino’s Pizza.
Lynn Good (Duke Energy)
As one of Forbes’ “100 Most Powerful Women,” Lynn Good served as the CEO of Duke Energy from 2013 through her retirement in 2024. Prior to this, she held leadership positions with Cinergy Corporation and Deloitte — breaking barriers for women in the auditing field to eventually land a partner position.
How Women CEOs Influence Business Strategy
From leading mergers and acquisitions to handling risk management and innovation efforts, there are numerous ways in which today’s female CEOs are influencing business strategy for the better.
Mergers and Acquisitions
For one, female leaders may be more likely to approach mergers and acquisitions with a broader consideration for stakeholders and greater commitment to thorough due diligence. By carefully evaluating cultural fit and long-term integration, female leaders have the power to produce more stable and mutually beneficial deals.
Risk Management and Governance
When it comes to risk management and governance issues, female CEOs also tend to maintain more robust governance frameworks that encourage transparency and accurate reporting. This, in conjunction with women CEOs’ tendencies to uphold ethical standards, can reduce an organization’s reputational risks while supporting smoother compliance with laws and regulations.
R&D and Innovation Investments
Women leaders have been champions of research and exploring new market segments, too, which can push companies into emerging areas and help them maintain relevance in today’s ever-evolving markets. This has already been evidenced in areas such as sustainable finance, telemedicine, and the adoption of electric vehicles.
ESG Prioritization
Across the globe, emerging women’s leadership has been successful in integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics into their strategic decision-making. In doing so, it is possible to not only satisfy regulatory demands but also effectively align business goals with societal values.
International Expansion and Cultural Sensitivity
Last but not least, women CEOs leading global companies have navigated international markets with incredible empathy and adaptability. Through demonstrating their value for local partnerships, respecting cultural nuances, and tailoring products/services to suit their unique consumer bases, female business leaders are taking their companies to new levels of success.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Women CEOs
Today’s female CEOs and business leaders have only begun to pave the path for future generations of women in business. As the business realm continues to shift, aspiring female executives need to have visible role models and other resources to guide them in their career paths.
Importance of Visible Role Models
Younger business students can certainly benefit from seeing female leaders as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, startup entrepreneurs, and investment portfolio managers. Witnessing women in these types of roles allows students to see firsthand that these leadership roles are attainable regardless of gender.
Professional Associations and Programs
Nowadays, there are also plenty of groups, associations, and programs dedicated to helping aspiring female leaders work toward their career goals. Specifically, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) aims to connect women across all industries to learn about essential business topics, turn ideas into realities, and advocate for equal opportunities for women in business.
Women preparing to enter the business world (or hoping to work their way up the corporate ladder) should consider membership in NAWBO or similar associations as well as taking advantage of other notable women’s leadership conferences, networking events, and mentorship opportunities.
Start Climbing the Corporate Ladder with a Business Degree from Baker
No matter where you’re at in your career, it’s never too late to start working toward your long-term goals. One of the most important steps, of course, is obtaining a quality business education. If you’re ready to pursue your bachelor’s or even master’s degree in a business-related field, our College of Business here at Baker College has you covered with plenty of programs to suit your interests — including a business management degree and online MBA.From degrees in business and finance to business intelligence and business administration, Baker College has programs that align with your professional aspirations. We even offer an online business degree option with added flexibility that can work around your busy schedule. Reach out to learn more, or get started with your online application today.