Even while women's C-suite representation has grown significantly, meaningful progress requires more intentional action.

CEO succession should be a strategic, forward-looking process that builds leadership capability, not a reactive event to replace departing leaders.

Executive search addresses immediate leadership needs while succession planning builds sustainable talent pipelines. Great organizations combine both.

Successful CEO succession depends on having honest, uncomfortable conversations early - the human element matters as much as process.

Boards should actively develop leadership ecosystems, not just manage CEO succession events.

Board members can make effective CEOs, but boards must avoid treating this as an "easy solution" and ensure rigorous evaluation.

CEOs bring invaluable insights to succession planning, but boards must maintain final decision authority - early collaboration, not crisis management.

Most companies wait too long for CEO succession planning - start 2 years early and look inside first.