New York, NY – Pivotal early-career promotions shape long-term outcomes.The first promotion into management has an outsized impact on women’s representation in leadership, making it one of the most powerful leverage points for meaningful and lasting change, according to a national report produced by McKinsey & Co.

When women are promoted at this early stage, the entire leadership pipeline becomes more balanced over time. This analysis reframes workplace advancement for both women and  companies not as a distant goal, but as a practical, achievable strategy, according to findings in Women in the Workplace 2025 report.

“The compounded loss for women can be substantial, which is why NOW-NYC has invested over the years in leadership development for post-college women. We want to help them harness their strengths to be as prepared and ready to navigate their lives and careers out of the gate,” said Judi Polson, Chair of NOW-NYC. “Multiple studies over years clearly show that companies with more women in executive positions tend to outperform their peers in terms of profitability, market share, and overall shareholder returns.” 

Addressing early-career barriers allows companies to retain talent, strengthen leadership benches, and better reflect the diverse workforce and customer base they serve, Polson added.

For women, these insights offer practical guidance. Understanding how early promotions shape long-term opportunity empowers women to advocate for themselves, seek advice, and make informed career decisions sooner, rather than waiting years to see whether advancement materializes.

The report further highlights the importance of workplace cultures that support flexibility, caregiving responsibilities, and broader leadership styles. When organizations invest in these areas early, women are more likely to stay, grow, and lead.

NOW calls on employers, policymakers, and institutional leaders to act on this data by strengthening early promotion practices, increasing transparency, and holding leadership accountable for equitable outcomes. Small, intentional changes at the start of a career can lead to transformational progress.

“This moment is an opportunity,” Polson said. “With the right information and the will to act, we can create workplaces where women’s potential is fully recognized and where leadership reflects the talent that already exists.”