Women in Senior Management: Where Are They? explores the progression of women in senior management positions over the last 22 years. It is based largely on publicly available data and supported by interviews with key leading organizations that have made notable progress in encouraging the advancement of women into senior management positions. The report highlights some of the challenges women still face in the workplace and suggests practices for overcoming these barriers.

The study was funded by The Conference Board of Canada. It is not intended to be an exhaustive study. Rather, it objectively presents the data on women’s representation in senior management positions and reintroduces discussion. Its purpose is to generate interest in further exploring the challenges and potential solutions.

Executive Summary

Chapter 1—Introduction

Chapter 2—The Story in Numbers: Women’s Advancement Is Stalled

• Women in Senior Management: Missing in Action
• Women in the Talent Pipeline
• Educational Choices

Chapter 3—Reasons for Lack of Progress

• The Labyrinth and the Glass Cliff
• The Impact of Gender Stereotyping
• Organizational Culture and Gender Harassment

Chapter 4—Case Studies of Progress in Women’s Advancement

• Canadian Pacific Railway: Getting on Board With Diversity
• Manitoba Lotteries Corporation: Achieving Gender Balance Through Cultural Change
• TD Bank Financial Group: The Importance of Senior Leadership Commitment to Diversity

Chapter 5—Observations and Opportunities

Nine Best Practices for Achieving Gender Diversity

Chapter 6—Conclusion

Appendix A—Bibliography