Special Report

Companies With the Most (and Least) Female Leadership

Steven Peters

Published: June 23, 2016 11:10 am

Last Updated: August 24, 2020 1:48 pm

Employment opportunities for women have improved significantly in the past 50 years — and so has the wage gap. When the equal pay act was passed in 1963, women earned 59 cents for every dollar men in the same job. Since then, the gap has narrowed to nearly 80 cents for every dollar. Representation of women in the labor force has also improved from 30% of employed Americans in 1950 to 49.5% today.

Despite the general improvements, women are still underrepresented in many professions, including management positions. The opportunity for a woman to occupy an executive role varies considerably between companies. To determine which companies have the highest levels of female representation in upper management roles, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data compiled by research group LedBetter for 234 companies that own nearly 2,000 of the most well known consumer brands.H&M Group leads the companies with 49.8% of executives and board directors being women.

While wages and employment opportunities for women are improving overall, the gap between men and women expands at the higher levels of management. Only 14 of the 234 companies examined have a female CEO. None of the companies have a majority of women in executive and board positions, and nine of the 234 reviewed companies do not have a single woman in any executive role or with a seat on the board. This is even true at companies that sell almost exclusively to women. Coty, which sells beauty products and fragrances, does not have a single female voice at the executive level or on the board of directors.

Click here to see the companies with the most (and least) female leadership.

One factor contributing to the level of female representation found in a company’s upper management is the industry the company specializes in. The apparel, retail, and personal care industries, for example, tend to have a higher proportion of women executives and account for 16 of the 25 most gender-diverse companies and only for three of the 25 least diverse businesses. Conversely, companies in the energy, technology, and transportation industries tend to not have many women in executive roles. These three industries account for nearly half of the 25 least diverse companies and only for two of the 25 most diverse companies.

In these companies with a greater share of women in upper management roles, it is not just the women in leadership positions who benefit from the opportunities afforded by their company. According to a global survey of nearly 22,000 countries in 91 countries, companies with gender-diverse management are more profitable than companies without women in management positions. The survey offers two possible reasons for this. Gender-diverse management teams take advantage of all talent available. Also, men and women bring different skill sets, increasing a firm’s skill diversity.

To identify the companies with the best and worst female representation, 24/7 Wall St. examined data from research group LedBetter, which included the share of women on the board, as well as the the share of women in executive leadership positions at the largest global corporations. Revenue figures for U.S. public companies are from financial documents filed with the federal government. For private companies and companies headquartered outside the United States, revenue figures are from the companies’ websites. Revenue figures are for the most recent period available. Only U.S. data is available for Kia Motors and Samsung. Currency exchange rates used were from June 22nd, 2016.

These are the companies with the best and worst female representation.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

25. Tiffany & Co.
> Pct. women on the board: 20%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 45%
> Industry: Apparel
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $4.1 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

24. Texas Instruments
> Pct. women on the board: 36%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 30%
> Industry: Technology
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $13.0 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

23. Pier 1 Imports
> Pct. women on the board: 44%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 22%
> Industry: Home Goods
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $1.9 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

22. Fannie Mae
> Pct. women on the board: 33%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 33%
> Industry: Banking
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $22.8 billion

24/7 Wall St.
The 30 Hottest Cities in America

21. Macy’s
> Pct. women on the board: 40%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 29%
> Industry: Retail
> Notable brands: Bloomingdale’s, Bluemercury
> Revenue: $27.1 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

20. Burberry
> Pct. women on the board: 33%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 36%
> Industry: Apparel
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $3.7 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

19. Wells Fargo
> Pct. women on the board: 40%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 30%
> Industry: Banking
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $86.1 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

18. RBC
> Pct. women on the board: 36%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 38%
> Industry: Banking
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $27.5 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

17. J.C. Penney
> Pct. women on the board: 27%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 46%
> Industry: Retail
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $12.6 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

16. Kimberly-Clark
> Pct. women on the board: 18%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 56%
> Industry: Personal Care
> Notable brands: Cottonelle, Huggies, Kleenex
> Revenue: $18.6 billion

Source: Thinkstock

15. Kellogg Company
> Pct. women on the board: 42%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 35%
> Industry: Food & Beverage
> Notable brands: Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, Pop-Tarts
> Revenue: $13.5 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

14. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.
> Pct. women on the board: 47%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 31%
> Industry: Personal Care
> Notable brands: Bumble and bumble, Aveda, Tommy Hilfiger
> Revenue: $10.8 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

13. Marriott International
> Pct. women on the board: 36%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 41%
> Industry: Other
> Notable brands: Ritz-Carlton, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Residence Inn Marriott
> Revenue: $14.5 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

12. Coach
> Pct. women on the board: 44%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 33%
> Industry: Apparel
> Notable brands: Stuart Weitzman
> Revenue: $4.2 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

11. L’Oreal
> Pct. women on the board: 47%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 31%
> Industry: Personal Care
> Notable brands: Lancôme, The Body Shop, Giorgio Armani
> Revenue: $28.5 billion

Source: Pexels.com

10. Avon
> Pct. women on the board: 50%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 29%
> Industry: Personal Care
> Notable brands: Clearskin Professional, Foot Works, ANEW
> Revenue: $6.2 billion

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/

9. Target
> Pct. women on the board: 36%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 45%
> Industry: Retail
> Notable brands: Market Pantry, Room Essentials, Circo
> Revenue: $73.8 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

8. Unilever
> Pct. women on the board: 50%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 31%
> Industry: Personal Care
> Notable brands: Ben & Jerry’s, Degree, Country Crock
> Revenue: $60.2 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

7. Diageo
> Pct. women on the board: 42%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 44%
> Industry: Food & Beverage
> Notable brands: Tanqueray, Crown Royal, Smirnoff
> Revenue: $12.2 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

6. Prada Group
> Pct. women on the board: 22%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 67%
> Industry: Apparel
> Notable brands: Marchesi 1824, Miu Miu, Church’s
> Revenue: $4.0 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

5. Best Buy
> Pct. women on the board: 36%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 55%
> Industry: Retail
> Notable brands: Geek Squad, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales
> Revenue: $39.5 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

4. Etsy
> Pct. women on the board: 50%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 43%
> Industry: Technology
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $273.5 million

Source: Wikimedia Commons

3. Gap, Inc.
> Pct. women on the board: 36%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 57%
> Industry: Apparel
> Notable brands: Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta
> Revenue: $15.8 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

2. Kering
> Pct. women on the board: 64%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 36%
> Industry: Apparel
> Notable brands: Gucci, Saint Laurent, Puma
> Revenue: $13.1 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. H&M Group
> Pct. women on the board: 58%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 41%
> Industry: Apparel
> Notable brands: Weekday, COS, Monki
> Revenue: $21.9 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

25. State Farm
> Pct. women on the board: 17%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Other
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $75.7 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

24. Discovery Communications
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 17%
> Industry: Entertainment & Media
> Notable brands: Oprah Winfrey Network, Science Channel, Animal Planet
> Revenue: $6.4 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

23. CBS Corporation
> Pct. women on the board: 15%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Entertainment & Media
> Notable brands: The CW, Smithsonian Channel, Showtime
> Revenue: $13.9 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

22. ExxonMobil
> Pct. women on the board: 15%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Energy
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $268.9 billion

Source: Thinkstock

21. Costco
> Pct. women on the board: 15%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Retail
> Notable brands: Kirkland Signature, Corning
> Revenue: $116.2 billion

Source: Courtesy of www.snehalkanodia.com via Wikimedia Commons

20. Life Time Fitness
> Pct. women on the board: 13%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Other
> Notable brands: Life Time Athletic
> Revenue: $1.3 billion

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/86530412@N02/

19. Chipotle Mexican Grill
> Pct. women on the board: 11%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Food & Beverage
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $4.5 billion

24/7 Wall St.
The 10 States With the Worst Gun Violence

Source: Wikimedia Commons

18. Constellation Brands
> Pct. women on the board: 10%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Food & Beverage
> Notable brands: Mount Veeder Winery, Svedka, Modelo Especial
> Revenue: $6.5 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

17. Las Vegas Sands
> Pct. women on the board: 10%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Other
> Notable brands: The Venetian, The Plaza Macao, The Palazzo
> Revenue: $11.7 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

16. Newell Brands
> Pct. women on the board: 8%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Home Goods
> Notable brands: Yankee Candle, Rubbermaid, PaperMate,
> Revenue: $5.9 billion

Source: Pexels.com

15. Sony
> Pct. women on the board: 8%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Technology
> Notable brands: PlayStation
> Revenue: $77.6 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

14. INTL FCStone
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 8%
> Industry: Banking
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $34.7 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

13. Panasonic
> Pct. women on the board: 5%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 4%
> Industry: Technology
> Notable brands: JVC, Sanyo, Matsushita Seiko
> Revenue: $73.8 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

12. Honda
> Pct. women on the board: 7%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Transportation
> Notable brands: Acura
> Revenue: $139.7 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

11. Compagnie Financière Richemont
> Pct. women on the board: 6%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Apparel
> Notable brands: Cartier, Piaget, Alfred Dunhill
> Revenue: $12.5 billion

Source: toyota.com

10. Toyota
> Pct. women on the board: 6%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Transportation
> Notable brands: Scion, Lexus, Hino
> Revenue: $271.8 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

9. Coty
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Personal Care
> Notable brands: Calvin Klein fragrance, David Beckham fragrance, Katy Perry fragrance
> Revenue: $4.4 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

8. Icahn Enterprises
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Other
> Notable brands: Pep Boys, Trump Entertainment Resorts
> Revenue: $15.3 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

7. Plains GP Holdings
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Energy
> Notable brands: Plains All American Pipeline
> Revenue: $23.2 billion

24/7 Wall St.
States With the Fastest (and Slowest) Growing Economies

Source: nissanusa.com

6. Nissan Motor Corporation
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Transportation
> Notable brands: Infiniti, Datsun
> Revenue: $116.6 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

5. Energy Transfer Equity
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Energy
> Notable brands: Sunoco LP, Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, Lone Star NGL
> Revenue: $42.1 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

4. Nintendo
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Technology
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: $4.8 billion

3. Kia Motors
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Transportation
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: N/A

Source: Thinkstock

2. World Fuel Services
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Energy
> Notable brands: Ascent
> Revenue: $30.4 billion

Source: courtesy of Samsung

1. Samsung
> Pct. women on the board: 0%
> Pct. women in executive leadership: 0%
> Industry: Technology
> Notable brands: N/A
> Revenue: N/A