Diversity in leadership is crucial to every organizations’ success—a better gender mix among board directors and senior executives is linked to higher valuations, better stock performance, and higher dividend payouts. While the picture in the boardroom has improved in recent years, we have not meaningfully moved the needle on women’s representation in the C-suite and in particular in the crucial CEO role.

The Russell Reynolds Associates CEO Turnover Index found that only 10% of new CEOs appointed globally since 2019 have been women. In Q1 2025, that number rose slightly to 13% – the highest on record, yet still alarmingly low.

The retail sector is no exception. Since 2019, only 13 out of 65 newly appointed CEOs in retail have been women that is just 20%, despite the industry largely serving a female customer and leading a highly diverse frontline of colleagues. The pace of progress has also been inconsistent year over year. In 2024, for instance, only 1 out of 10 retail CEO appointments went to a woman—the lowest figure since 2020 and a stark reminder that gains in representation remain fragile and far from linear.

How can retailers address this lack of diversity and how can a more diverse boardroom translate into better performance in the market? Join this expert panel as they discuss the biggest blockers and enablers of women advancing to the top.