For 20 years, the Rosenzweig Report has shined a light on women’s progress in leadership roles and the systemic barriers that hold women back. Achieving true gender equality is about more than just numbers — it’s about creating a future where every woman has the opportunity to lead, thrive, and contribute. Each of us has a role to play in making this vision a reality.

We must understand that everything is interconnected—people, animals, and the natural world. When we empower women and girls, we empower entire communities to create change, to protect the environment, and to build a future where all living beings can thrive. They are essential to solving the challenges we face, from poverty to climate change, because they hold the capacity and courage to nurture and transform.

The rise of women in leadership is not just about equality—it’s about balance. The divine feminine embodies wisdom, compassion, and interconnectedness. For two decades, Jay Rosenzweig has shined a light on this truth, reminding us that empowering these qualities fosters a more just, peaceful, and thriving world.

The work of women’s equality is far from finished. In order to continue to make progress, we need to understand and acknowledge the scope of our problem. The Rosenzweig report empowers women with the facts, the tools, and context to understand how far we’ve come and how much farther we have to go. For women to truly obtain respect and dignity at work, in their family lives and in our politics, we must never forget the power of knowledge in pursuit of accountability.

At J.P. Morgan, we empower women through initiatives like our “ReEntry” program, which supports women returning to the workforce and fosters diverse talent. While we’ve made progress toward gender equity in leadership, challenges remain, and we must continue to advocate for greater representation and inclusivity. To aspiring leaders, I encourage you to embrace your unique perspectives and stay curious and resilient. The Rosenzweig Report is a vital tool in amplifying our advocacy for women in leadership, and I thank Jay for championing the importance of diversity statistics as a driver of awareness. Together, we can build a future where every voice is heard and valued and where diversity is not just celebrated but is integral to our achievements.

Gender equality is essential for a thriving world. At TIME, we recognize the impact of women’s leadership through initiatives like Women of the Year, which honors extraordinary women working toward a better future for all.

Equality isn’t a dream—it’s a decision. A decision that defines success in the modern marketplace. Companies that embrace equality as a business imperative will drive innovation, growth, and customer loyalty. Those that don’t? They risk irrelevance, just like Kodak and Blockbuster. Today’s consumers are diverse, and brands that reflect, resonate with, and represent them will lead the future. Leadership is evolving, and the old rules no longer apply. I’m honored to partner with Jay Rosenzweig on this milestone 20th Anniversary Edition of his groundbreaking report. Together, we can close the gender gap in five years—not 134—and build a future where businesses thrive by serving the world as it truly is.

No society can live well without empowering the feminine. Our activities today have become excessively masculine, and cause more damage to the planet and to all life. Without the feminine, nothing of beauty, tenderness, or truly aesthetic value will survive. Only when the feminine is allowed to flourish can humans blossom to know the peak of life.

Change takes commitment, persistence and perseverance in keeping attention to what is most important. THE ANNUAL ROSENZWEIG REPORT does just that. As a women’s rights activist, I am grateful for the decades of the Rosenzweig’s reporting on gender equality and women’s leadership backed by facts and figures. We need this report. It is important. It is powerful! It is impactful!

In my early years in Canada, I often felt unseen and undervalued as an Afghan newcomer. It was because there was no space for my unique/out-of-ordinary story. So, I created one. Being included in the telling of my own experiences gave me agency and an opportunity to be heard—it empowered me. I then shared that space with other Afghan girls, building a safe haven for Afghan women to share their narratives. Telling stories is important, no doubt. But what’s even more vital is including diverse perspectives. That’s why I respect the Rosenzweig Report for highlighting this.

The Rosenzweig report demonstrates the progress made while ensuring there is accountability for the work ahead. Lasting gender equality cannot happen until all women, including Indigenous, Black, and racialized women are at the table. With leaders and big corporations rolling back DEI initiatives - the time to re-double our efforts is now. We must keep making systemic changes so that every woman and girl can succeed and thrive while meaningfully contributing to the growth of our economy. This means addressing the gender wage gap, ending gender based violence, investing in women entrepreneurs, and supporting social supports like $10 a day childcare and pharmacare. Investing in women is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.