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Women in Corporate Leadership: Progress and Challenges

On October 22, 2025, the Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ) released its biennial Seat at the Table Report during the Corporate Gender Diversity Awards and Power Networking Breakfast at Brooklake Country Club. This landmark report provides an exhaustive analysis of gender diversity within corporate leadership and boardrooms in New Jersey, exploring the current state of women's representation in publicly held companies across the state.

The theme for this year's report, Sustaining the Momentum, signifies that despite national setbacks pertaining to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, the involvement of women in executive roles and on boards has not only been maintained but, in some instances, has seen an upward trend. Notably, the data presented demonstrates a collective understanding that the strides made in gender equality over the past decade are now ingrained within corporate cultures, making retraction an improbable scenario. As some corporate leaders stated, "The genie is out of the bottle," indicating that the change is both deeply routed and irreversible.

During the unveiling of the report, EWNJ President Susan K. Dromsky-Reed, Esq. articulated the essence of the findings, emphasizing the importance of women in leadership positions. She said, “The 2025 Seat at the Table Report reaffirms what we've long recognized: when women lead, organizations thrive.” The report indicates that women hold 29% of board seats and 29% of top executive positions in New Jersey—a figure that remains unchanged since 2023 but demonstrates significant growth compared to 14% in 2013. Furthermore, females now comprise 22% of the top earners, establishing an ongoing positive trajectory.

EWNJ's incoming President Onome Adejemilua, Esq. stressed the current need for dynamic female leadership, stating, “As we strive for further advancements, it's crucial that companies commit to fostering a long-term vision aimed at increasing gender representation.”

The awards event featured discussions moderated by Jennifer Thibodaux, CEO and Founder of JMT Speaks, with insights shared by panelists like Kathy Card Beckles, Chief Legal Officer at Verisk Analytics, and Amy Cradic, Senior Vice President at New Jersey Resources. Their experiences reinforced the notion that the momentum behind gender diversity in leadership is a powerful force that is improbable to reverse.

Significant findings from the 2025 Seat at the Table Report include:

• - Women held 29% of board seats in New Jersey's publicly held companies—consistent since 2023, yet a stark increase from 14% in 2013.
• - Women make up 29% of top executives and 22% of highest earners, both statistics indicating ongoing progress.
• - Four businesses achieved gender parity on their boards.
• - The number of female CEOs has risen to seven, up from four in 2013.

The report further features exclusive interviews with key corporate leaders who offer fresh perspectives on the role of women in executive positions. Leaders such as Kathy Card Beckles from Verisk Analytics, Megan Myungwon Lee from Panasonic of North America, and Beth Walsh from Peapack Private Bank express a unified sentiment: the pillars supporting women's leadership are now integral to corporate culture, facilitating sustainable progress and highlighting the urgent need for continual advocacy.

EWNJ urges business leaders, stakeholders, and policy minds to leverage the insights from the Seat at the Table Report to inspire impactful change, ensuring that the momentum for women's leadership remains vigorous and poised for further enhancement.

About Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ)

Founded in 1980, EWNJ serves as New Jersey's leading organization dedicated to propelling women into senior corporate leadership and board roles. Through robust strategies, impactful research, and advocacy initiatives, EWNJ champions gender equity in business while fostering a pipeline of next-generation leaders. Over the past 30 years, EWNJ has awarded more than $1.4 million via its Graduate Merit Award Program, supporting non-traditional graduate students in their academic pursuits. EWNJ's Seat at the Table Report stands as New Jersey's only publication that tracks the representation of women at the helm of corporate governance, uniquely blending data-driven insights with the voices of women shaping the future of leadership.