The number of female CEOs leading Fortune 500 companies in the US is decreasing, with only 11% of the total, according to research from McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace. This disparity is particularly acute for women of colour, who hold only 7% of U.S. C-suite positions. The author argues that the role of CEO remains the ultimate seat of influence and that the pipeline is being throttled by a corporate culture that still sees primary caregiving and top-tier operational leadership as mutually exclusive. They advocate for the Forward Faster initiative urging companies to set ambitious targets for gender equality at all levels and for more inclusive executive pipeline. They argue that diverse leadership can lead to better risk management and sustainable growth.