Fourth Quarter 2024 Key Findings
Our latest report, in collaboration with our Exclusive Data Partner Equilar, highlights for the first time since we began tracking all public companies in the U.S., progress of women on Russell 3000 company boards stalls. Women continue to hold 30.2% of board seats as reported in Q3, showing only a 0.6 percentage point increase from the previous quarter.
Notably, only 26.3% of the 419 new board seats were filled by women, a significant drop compared to the 40% averages seen between 2020 and 2023. Furthermore, 40% of companies still have boards with two or fewer women, highlighting persistent gaps in gender diversity.
The representation of women of color also remains unchanged at 7.7% of all board seats, underscoring the need for more targeted efforts to achieve intersectional progress.
of board seats held by women.
of board appointments were women; compared to 32.1% for all 2024.
of newly filled seats by women were seats added to boards.
Our state-level data reports on the percentage of women on boards and gender-balanced publicly traded companies. California continues to lead with 33.6% women on boards (a 0.2% decrease from the previous quarter) and 21.2% gender-balanced companies (a 1.3% decrease from Q3), while Nevada and Florida have the fewest women on boards.
50/50 Women on Boards Gender Diversity Index ™ reports on the gender composition of corporate boards on the Russell 3000 Index. Using the data provided by our Exclusive Data Partner Equilar, we analyze, track, and publish data on our website in our Gender Diversity Directory. This report reflects data as of December 31, 2025, with 2,878 active companies on the Russell 3000 Index.
Advocate: Highlight and share your expertise for boards.
Invest: Request employer-funded programs to advance your board journey.
Network: Volunteer, join non-profit boards, attend events, and outreach to your contacts to ensure they are aware of the board opportunity you are seeking.
Be Intentional: Leverage our GDI directory to narrow down your board search.
Advocate: Highlight and share your expertise for boards.
Invest: Request employer-funded programs to advance your board journey.
Network: Volunteer, join non-profit boards, attend events, and outreach to your contacts to ensure they are aware of the board opportunity you are seeking.
Be Intentional: Leverage our GDI directory to narrow down your board search.
Advocate: Highlight and share your expertise for boards.
Invest: Request employer-funded programs to advance your board journey.
Network: Volunteer, join non-profit boards, attend events, and outreach to your contacts to ensure they are aware of the board opportunity you are seeking.
Be Intentional: Leverage our GDI directory to narrow down your board search.
