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.

As a woman of Faith and a Pastor, I am wedded to the deep, complicated and sincerity that is needed in Pastoral care. Sanctuary must be found for those who are seeking. My convictions hold strong in seeing everyone as they are and empowering them toward their purpose in the construct of our society. Faith circles and pastoral care must be realized for the emancipation of women! For our very existence is a resistance.

Women are the heartbeat of our world, and their leadership brings harmony, strength, and balance to every corner of society. Producing the ‘195 Song’ showed me firsthand how powerful it is when women’s voices unite across borders. Jay’s commitment to championing women in leadership is a testament to that same power—reminding us that when we uplift women, we create a more just, vibrant, and connected world. I’m grateful to celebrate this milestone with him.

In an increasingly complex and fast-changing world, the full inclusion of talent – particularly women’s leadership – is a strategic and ethical imperative. Research consistently shows that gender-diverse leadership enhances decision-making, mitigates risk, and strengthens organisational performance. The Rosenzweig Report which marks its 20th year, has charted the remarkable progress of women in corporate Canada. Yet, the pace of advancement in female leadership globally remains frustratingly slow. At a time when women’s rights are facing a troubling rollback, sustained and collective action is more critical than ever. Accelerating progress is not just about fairness – it is essential to building a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

The promotion and protection of gender equality is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty, combat discrimination and build a more inclusive, peaceful, just and prosperous world. Without the full participation, protection, and empowerment of women and girls, peace, security, and economic stability will remain elusive. To realize the world we all strive for—one where everyone can thrive—we must ensure that women and girls have the agency and self-determination they are entitled to. This has been a core pillar of our work at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. As we continue this fight, I am delighted to stand alongside leaders like Jay Rosenzweig, whose tireless work over the past two decades—including through the Rosenzweig Report on Women in Leadership—has been instrumental in advancing equality and driving real change.

In these unprecedented times, moral clarity and courageous leadership are more vital than ever. The atrocities of October 7—marked by the deliberate targeting of women, children, and families in Israel, and the widespread use of sexual violence—have shaken the very foundations of humanity and justice. To capture the gravity of these crimes, I coined the term ‘Kinocide’—the systematic weaponization of families and a deliberate assault on human dignity—together with Irwin Cotler, founder of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. Jay Rosenzweig, as CEO of Rosenzweig & Company, Board Chair of the Wallenberg Centre, and author of the 20th Annual Rosenzweig Report, has been a relentless advocate for women’s rights and leadership. His unwavering commitment to addressing gender-based violence and systemic inequality underscores that confronting these injustices is not just a moral imperative but a crucial step toward building a just, equitable, and inclusive future for all.”

True leadership isn’t just about breaking barriers; it’s about building bridges. By creating spaces where women support and uplift each other, we empower not just individuals but entire communities to thrive. Social media has given us an incredible platform to connect, share stories, and inspire change on a global scale. Through these channels, I’ve seen firsthand how collective encouragement can transform confidence into action. Progress in corporate leadership starts when we use our voices—not just for ourselves but to amplify others—proving that when women come together, we can drive meaningful, systemic change.

As a global journalist and advocate for women’s empowerment, I’ve witnessed how elevating women transforms communities and industries. Collaborating with recording artist Maejor on a project for the World Economic Forum in Davos, where women from over 200 countries united to say ‘equality’ in their own languages, reinforced the universal struggle for gender equality. Jay Rosenzweig’s Annual Report captures this vision of a world where women have equal opportunities to lead and thrive while highlighting the progress made and the barriers still in place. His unwavering commitment to championing women’s rights inspires us all to push forward toward a future where women’s full potential is both realized and celebrated.

Working in real estate my whole life, I have seen and experienced first-hand the hardships of being a woman in a male-dominated industry. Women need support, not just from other women but from society as a whole. When we can stand together as one, we will see a day where female CEOs are not seen as rare. Jay Rosenzweig said, “Everywhere, women are at the forefront of the fight for human rights and peace. This fills me with hope.” Jay is much more than an advocate; he has been on the leading edge of supporting women and educating the masses as to the discrepancies that exist. The Rosenzweig Report is vital to the success of women, and I believe that with his work, we get closer to equality every day.

There has never been a more important time to take meaningful steps – actively move the dial in 2025 – to create C-suite and boardroom tables that reflect and empower the voices of our entire global population. We have an opportunity to lead an even more intentional effort to advance gender equity in Canada – as a Country, we value standing up for inclusion as a moral, legal, and critical business imperative – and must continue to recognize and rectify inequalities and entrenched biases, modeling what best in class looks like for other countries. It is imperative that we continue to dismantle barriers for women through a deeply intersectional lens, one that extends beyond gender alone and considers the multifaceted identities that shape individuals’ workplace experiences.