We chatted with 8 women CEOs of Best Places to Work companies about their leadership styles and what has helped make the companies they lead so successful. A few attributes of these top companies covered here include:
- Flexibility, balance, and the ability to bring your whole self to work
- A welcoming and supportive environment and a transparent place that values employees
- A great place to grow professionally
Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work 2023 list included eight companies led by women CEOs. Women continue to lack representation in the C-suite, but as these company leaders illustrate, strides are being made to shatter the glass ceiling in every area of business.
In fact, the rate of women getting MBAs is inching closer to gender parity every year. This year, more than 10% of companies on the Fortune 500 list have women CEOs, totaling double digits for the first time in history.
We’re highlighting the eight Best Places to Work companies with women CEOs to shed light on how they’re leading their companies, celebrate their success, and hopefully help inspire other women to forge ahead and break the glass ceiling at their organizations.
Eight companies with women CEOs
1. In-N-Out Burger
CEO Lynsi Snyder has a 91% approval rating on Glassdoor, with reviews describing the burger chain as “very supportive” and a company where “management cares about workers.” In-N-Out was founded in 1948 by Snyder’s paternal grandparents, so she is keeping the family business going as its leader, a position she’s held since 2017. In 2021, Snyder was named the Los Angeles Business Journal CEO of the Year.
2. Cielo
Talent acquisition company Cielo was founded by a woman — Sue Marks. Last year, Marks, who remains on the company’s board, turned over the reins to Marissa Geist. With an 86% Glassdoor CEO approval rating, reviews describe Cielo as an “excellent place to work,” with “great people and experience that will set you apart.” Geist places particular focus on inclusion and equity, striving for women in the workplace to achieve balance, not just access to a seat at the table.
“I believe that true balance comes from layers and layers of development, and I am surrounded by great people – many of them women – who are building their own careers to lead companies in the future,” said Geist. “Flexibility, balance, and bringing our whole selves to work is so natural to us now — we can’t imagine a different way.”
3. HubSpot
With an impressive 95% CEO approval rating on Glassdoor, CEO Yamini Rangan has led software company Hubspot since 2021, a company that Glassdoor reviewers tout as a “welcoming and supportive environment” and a “transparent company” that “values employees.” Rangan was recently named the “best CEO for women” in 2022 in a Comparably survey of women employees across 70,000 U.S. companies.
4. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
CEO Christy Budnick leads this national real estate brokerage network with a whopping 98% CEO approval rating on Glassdoor. Glassdoor reviews note that the company “seems to really appreciate employees.” The reviews also show an appreciation for the company’s flexibility and learning opportunities. In the CEO position since 2021, Budnick places high value on authenticity, diversity, and inclusion, a focus that can directly and positively impact recruiting and retention efforts.
5. Avanade
Pamela Maynard of global professional services company Avanade lands on our list with an impressive 96% Glassdoor CEO approval rating. Reviews mention “flexibility,” a “great place to grow professionally,” and “great people in leadership who care about employees.” Avanada is known for her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has authored several articles about DEI.
“I’m honored to lead one of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work in 2023, and as one of the only 8 female CEOs – and the only black female leader - to make this list, I also recognize the responsibility that comes with this recognition,” said Maynard. “My experience as a black woman in the technology industry has shaped my passion for creating a culture where everyone feels safe to bring their authentic selves to work at Avanade, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, background, and abilities. It’s what has fueled my commitment to leave the industry more inclusive, diverse, and equitable than it is today. We’ve made a lot of progress, but we still have more work to do!”
6. Fidelity Investments
With a 94% CEO approval rating on Glassdoor, Fidelity Investments CEO Abby Johnson drives a company culture that reviewers say includes great benefits, great management, and “the best training I have ever had.” Johnson is one of the longer-term CEOs on our list, having held the position at Fidelity since 2014. This is a family business for Johnson, whose grandfather founded the company in 1946. With mottos that include, “Stay true to yourself,” and “Always strive to be better,” we could attribute her mindset to the company’s continued success.
7. AMD
With one of the highest rankings of any CEO, Dr. Lisa Su leads semiconductor company AMD with a 97% Glassdoor CEO approval rating, prompting reviews that mention “good culture,” “impressive innovation,” and senior leadership’s “excellent” strategic vision. Dr. Su, an electrical engineer, has led the company through an impressive turnaround since she took the helm in 2014, driving the stock price up while maintaining a great workplace.
8. Cummins
Few women are at the top of leadership at manufacturing companies, but Jennifer Rumsey is paving the way for change, leading transportation and manufacturing company Cummins with a 90% Glassdoor CEO approval rating and reviews that mention their “great culture,” inclusivity, and good work/life balance. Rumsey, who holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, has progressed through several leadership roles at Cummins and is the first woman to lead the company since its founding in 1919. She’s guiding the company to a greener, cleaner future with a focus on clean electric and hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
Openings at women-led companies
Our Best Places to Work 2023 list includes links to jobs at each company on the list. And don’t miss our Glassdoor’s “Companies Hiring” page to enhance your search to find companies who focus on issues that matter to you.