Closing the Gender Gap in Senior Leadership

This report explores the persistent gender gap in senior leadership and governance roles across sectors, offering valuable insights for nonprofit and NGO leaders seeking to build more inclusive and effective organizations. Drawing on global workforce and leadership data, the report examines how barriers such as limited access to leadership opportunities, unequal caregiving responsibilities, weak sponsorship networks, and biased promotion systems continue to hinder women’s advancement into executive and board-level positions. For NGOs, the report provides practical lessons on strengthening leadership pipelines, succession planning, talent development, and governance structures to ensure that leadership reflects the diversity of the communities they serve. The report concludes with a future-focused framework that organizations can use to create equitable pathways to leadership, improve decision-making, and build resilient institutions capable of addressing complex social challenges.