This role is most likely to open doors for women with CEO ambitions

For women with ambitions to become CEO, the most reliable path appears to be through the chief financial officer role. Ten percent of women CEOs reached the top after serving as CFO, compared to just six percent of men, according to the Eos Foundation’s 2025 Women’s Power Gap CEO Report. But even this promising route often comes with an added step, writes Fortune’s Lily Mae Lazarus.

Often, women are also expected to serve in an additional position—typically as president—before being deemed ready for the top job.