Women’s representation in senior leadership dropped to 18.3% in 2024, down from 18.7% in 2023. Despite decades of advocating for gender equality, we’re still seeing women left behind. Even in industries driving innovation, like EdTech, Health Tech, and Climate Tech, women-led startups account for only 17%, 18%, and 10% of CEOs, respectively. This gap is stark.
The disparity extends beyond leadership roles—only 57% of women report receiving manager feedback after leadership training, compared to 62% of men. That feedback is crucial for career growth and opportunity. While women’s representation in senior manager roles has grown to 37% and vice president roles to 34%, the progress is far from enough.
From politics to corporate boardrooms, the leadership landscape is still largely male-dominated. Women make up just 23.3% of Cabinet members worldwide, and only 27 countries have women serving as Heads of State or Government. We must accelerate change to foster environments where women can rise and thrive in positions of power.
The question is no longer about waiting for change but driving it forward.
What are you doing to help bridge the gap?
Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.
Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.
They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.
Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.
To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.
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