A new report from LeanIn.org and McKinsey & Company reveals progress in women’s advancement in corporate America since 2015, but significant challenges remain. The study highlights that while women now hold 29% of C-suite positions, up from 17% in 2015, these gains are primarily in staff roles, such as chief human resources officer, rather than in core business roles tied to profit and loss, like CEO positions.

Corporate Practices and Benefits Are Improving

The 2024 report is based on data from over 280 corporations and surveys of 15,000 employees. It points to improvements in corporate practices, with 69% of companies now offering bias training for evaluators, an increase from 53% in 2015. Additionally, more companies are focusing on training managers to support employee well-being, inclusion, and career advancement. A majority of women surveyed (60%) believe that opportunities for growth have improved over the past decade, and 73% feel that workplaces have become more inclusive.

The report also highlights expanded benefits that help employees, particularly women, manage caregiving responsibilities. For example, half of the companies surveyed now offer emergency child care services, and many provide support for employees caring for sick or elderly family members.

Roadblocks to Early-Career Progression

Despite these advancements, early-career progression remains a challenge. For every 100 men who receive their first opportunity to become a manager, only 81 women do, with the disparity even greater for women of color. The study also notes a decline in corporate programs aimed at hiring women and promoting diversity, with fewer companies prioritizing gender and racial diversity compared to previous years.

The report concludes that achieving gender parity in leadership roles may take decades, but emphasizes that companies with more women in leadership see stronger performance, greater innovation, and healthier workplace cultures.