THRIVING WOMEN CEOs

We're for you: the Australian woman CEO

We're incredibly proud of you - one of the women who represents the ~23% of all CEOs in Australia.  Breaking through the glass ceiling is not easy to do, so congratulations for your effort and perserverence. 

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   Progress & Challenges: ​

• ​2000s–2010s: The number of women in leadership roles began to rise, supported by the creation of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) in 2012.

• In 2015 only 4.2% of ASX 200 CEOs were women.

• By 2018 this number had risen 14 women representing a total of 7% ASX200 CEOs.

• Late 2024–2025: Women hold 10% of ASX300 CEO roles (approx. 27–30 women), with 91% of all top roles held by men.

• Despite more women entering management roles overall, 46% of ASX 300 companies have no women in their CEO succession pipeline.

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​Read more

• Workplace Gender Equality Agency - Women in Leadership

• Progress and challenges for gender equality

• Chief Executive Women 2025 Census

• CEO pipeline for ASX companies

• Mission: women's empowerment

• Mission: women at work

 

Australian women in business

In Australia 2.5 million small businesses (defined as having less than 20 employees or a turnover of less than $10 million), contribute to roughly one-third of Australia's GDP and employ over half of the private sector workforce.  We're proud of the 35% cent of small businesses who are owned or led by women. 

 

   Progress & Challenges

• Through unwavering self-belief, empowerment, and hard work the participation rate of women owning small businesses in Australia has doubled since the 1970s, however has only grown from 30.6 to 35.4% since 1991.

• Unfortunately approximately 60% of Australian small business fail within the first 5 years; attributed to:

  • Lack of a business plan

  • cash flow shortages,

  • underpricing, and

  • poor location.

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Why are we for thriving women CEOs?

Best articulated by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry "When more women own and lead businesses, we begin to shift workplace cultures and open new pathways for participation and leadership". 

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​Ensure success for your business

As quoted​ from the Australian Institute of Company Directors "Every organisation exists to fulfill a fundamental purpose, embodied in its vision, mission, values and goals. Organisational strategy involves clarifying this core purpose and determining how the organisation will achieve its goals in light of internal capabilities and external market forces."

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​​How we help you

By setting being clear about your purpose, vision for the future, and operating values you're setting up your organisation for success.  Pairing this with a 12-month mission will give you and your people (if relevant) the direction and momentum to fulfil your vision and purpose. ​​​​

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When is the best time to get started?

Getting started can happen at any time of year, or strategically aligned to your calendar year / financial year.  However the best time is now, rather waiting for the 'perfect' time to give your organisation the clarity it needs for success.

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Strategy & Performance Australia services for Women CEOs:

• Purpose, vision and values

• 12 month mission and priorities

• Own it! A workshop to envisage your ideal day and make it happen.