Source: Fortune
Summary
A record 56 women lead Fortune 500 companies in 2026, 11.2% of the list, the highest share in its 72-year history. Despite several high-profile exits, the number of female CEOs increased due to internal promotions and outside hires. Newmont, Textron, Murphy USA, and DTE Energy promoted women as CEOs, while Dow announced COO Karen S. Carter will take over as CEO, making her the first Black woman to lead a major U.S. chemical company.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story. The Fortune 500 saw a record number of female CEOs, but the exits of high-profile women like Safra Catz, Priscilla Almodovar, and Michele Buck left a void. The pipeline of internal promotions delivered, with Ulta Beauty’s Kecia Steelman rising to CEO after 11 years with the company. Despite progress, growth was flat in 2023 and 2024, and it could take decades to reach gender parity at the top of the world’s largest companies.
Fortune 500 women CEOs are making gains, albeit slowly.
Author: Evan Null
