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Women Leaders Continue Rising in Greater Philadelphia Corporate Sector, Report Finds

Prime Highlights

  • Women now hold 30% of board seatsamong the region’s top 100 public companies, marking steady growth in corporate leadership.
  • Increasing female influence in leadership and wealth is expected to reshape industries, investment trends, and philanthropyover the coming decades.

Key Facts

  • Women filled 40% of all new board seats, and the number of women CEOs has more than doubled to ninein Greater Philadelphia.
  • 54 companies were recognized as “Champions of Board Diversity”, with top performers including American Water Works Co., Hydrofarm Holdings Group, and The Chemours Company.

Background

Women leaders are gaining a stronger presence across Greater Philadelphia’s corporate sector, according to the 2025 Women in Leadership Report released by The Forum of Executive Women. The study shows women now hold 30% of board seats among the region’s top 100 public companies, a 2% increase from last year and an 18% jump since 2013.

The report, unveiled at The Forum’s annual Leadership Breakfast attended by over 500 professionals, highlights women’s growing role in both leadership and wealth. The event’s theme, “The Great Wealth Transfer: Women, Wealth, and the New Power Structure,” focused on how an estimated $84 trillion in assets will shift across generations in the next 20 years, potentially redefining philanthropy, politics, and entrepreneurship.

“The Forum is dedicated to empowering women leaders to influence the evolving economic and social environment,” said Meghan Pierce, President and CEO of The Forum.

This year’s data shows accelerating progress. Women filled 40% of all new board seats, while only three companies in the region now lack female board representation. The number of women CEOs has more than doubled to nine. Women now hold 22% of executive roles and 19% of top-earning positions.

Fifty-four companies earned “Champions of Board Diversity” recognition, with top performers including American Water Works Co., Hydrofarm Holdings Group, and The Chemours Company.

Experts say that as women gain more control over generational wealth, they could change industries and investment trends. Experts say that as women gain more control of generational wealth, they could change industries and investment trends. Economists and business leaders at the event urged continued mentorship, smart investing, and stronger gender equality by 2027.