2026 Index of Best Companies for Women Leaders Released
House of Rose Professional has announced the 2026 'Break the Ceiling Touch the Sky 101 Best Global Companies for Women in Leadership Index'. The annual list recognizes large global companies for their progress and commitment to gender diversity in leadership roles.
- The 2026 index is based on a comprehensive review of the boards and management teams at the 500 largest global companies by revenue, analyzing over 10,000 executive roles. Due to ties in rankings, a total of 106 companies are included on this year's list. - There is a positive correlation between the gender balance on leadership teams and financial success. Among the companies evaluated, 73% of those on the index reported year-over-year revenue growth, compared to 60% of companies not on the index. - The index is a core component of "Mission 2029," a decade-long initiative that began in 2020. The mission's primary goal is to increase the number of female CEOs in the world's 500 largest companies from 14 to 70 by the year 2029. - This initiative also aims to double the number of male CEOs who are actively championing gender diversity and inclusion within their organizations. - The selection process for the index is data-driven, based solely on the statistical composition of leadership teams, and a position on the list cannot be purchased or influenced. - Despite the progress highlighted by the index, broader trends indicate a potential stall or even decline in women's advancement to senior leadership roles. The proportion of women in new senior leadership positions peaked in 2022 and has seen a decline in subsequent years. - Some recent reports show a concerning trend, with a decreasing number of companies prioritizing the career advancement of women, particularly women of color. - To support the development of women leaders, House of Rose Professional hosts the "Break the ceiling touch the sky®" leadership summit in various regions globally, including the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.