Women CEOs in the S&P 500
More women are breaking through the glass ceiling and attaining the top job at S&P 500 companies, but their numbers are still significantly lower than their male counterparts.
Out of the 341 CEOs in the AP’s annual compensation survey, only 25 are women. While this is the highest number of women on the list since 2011, the growth has been slow. The survey, conducted by Equilar, includes CEOs at S&P 500 companies who have served at least two fiscal years and filed proxy statements between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2024.
Christy Glass, a sociology professor, notes that while the increase in female CEOs is positive, overall trends are discouraging with significant turnover expected in the future.
One standout female CEO is Lisa Su of AMD, who earned $30.3 million in fiscal 2023. Su’s success reflects a broader trend of companies embracing AI and innovation.
Despite some progress, the disparity between male and female CEOs remains. The issue of the “glass cliff,” where women are often appointed to lead struggling companies, continues to hinder equal representation.