What Is the Glass Chair? Rethinking the Future of Women in Finance

Most professionals are familiar with “the glass ceiling” — the imagined barrier that prevents women and minorities from reaching high-ranking positions. But what about the “glass chair” in finance?

Let’s break down the metaphor.

The chief financial officer (CFO) role is one of the most influential positions in any organization. The role isn’t just about managing finances — it’s increasingly about shaping strategy, driving growth, and influencing company direction. The “chair” represents this seat of power, decision-making, and visibility at the executive table.

Meanwhile, the “glass” element reflects a painful irony. Women can see the chair. They know what it takes to get there. And many are already performing at or above the level required. Yet invisible barriers make the path to that seat fragile, unclear, and far too often inaccessible.

To explore the prevalence of the problem, OneStream conducted an extensive study called “The Glass Chair.” Four findings stood out.

1. Women CFOs Outperform

Despite holding fewer than one in four CFO roles in the Global Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies, women CFOs consistently deliver superior results. The report reveals how companies led by women CFOs outperform industry benchmarks across multiple sectors.

For example, across publicly listed companies, organizations currently led by women CFOs see an average increase of 4.5% in total annualized shareholder return. Even more compelling, underperforming companies who appoint women CFOs go on to achieve an average 10% increase in annualized total shareholder return. That’s a clear indicator of the transformative impact women bring to the top finance seat.

These results suggest that women CFOs not only capably manage financial operations but also act as catalysts for business turnaround and growth. Why? Women’s broad experience, strategic acumen, and often underappreciated leadership qualities (e.g., intelligence, adaptability) are powerful assets for profit and change.

2. Women CFOs Have Distinct Profiles

The report identifies distinct “CFO personas” that highlight how different groups present themselves in finance leadership. For instance, women CFOs are more likely to be the “Financial Guardian” and the “Strategic Architect” — roles emphasizing governance, transparency, team development, and strategic planning. These personas reflect a leadership style rooted in long-term thinking, people management, and ethical oversight.

Women’s strong governance and strategic leadership skills are well-suited to the evolving demands of the CFO role, as outlined in OneStream’s ongoing Finance 2035 research. As finance becomes more cross-functional and people-centric, the differing leadership styles could be a competitive advantage for organizations that embrace different worldviews at the top.

3. Women Have Longer Paths to Becoming CFO

On average, reaching the CFO role takes women 18 years, three years longer than their peers. The extended timeline for women isn’t due to a lack of capability but rather because of the complexity of the paths that women often take. They’re more likely to pursue non-traditional routes, stepping into cross-functional roles that broaden women’s expertise but may delay their ascent.

While longer, these non-linear career paths often result in well-rounded leaders. This broader experience can help equip women with a holistic understanding of business operations and a unique ability to build relationships across departments.

As the CFO role evolves to require broader strategic oversight, more varied backgrounds may become a key differentiator for women leaders.

4. Women CFOs Instigate Change

Women CFOs aren’t just maintaining the status quo. They’re also driving meaningful change.

As the report shows, women in financial leadership are more likely than their peers to prioritize risk management, team upskilling, and strategic leadership. Women also recognize the importance of digital literacy, with 75% identifying it as a critical skill for future CFOs. With this forward-thinking mindset, women are positioned as key players in navigating the digital transformation of finance.

Moreover, women CFOs leverage automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to open doors for more wide-ranging talent. A striking 83% of women CFOs believe that automation is enabling different types of expertise to enter the CFO role. In addition, 69% say automation is helping to ensure fair opportunities for all.

The report also highlights a confidence gap. Despite being enthusiastic about developing AI skills, women are less likely to adopt AI tools. Bridging this gap through mentorship, training, and advocacy will be essential to ensure women continue to lead the charge in reshaping the finance function.

The Transparent Future of Finance

The metaphor of the glass chair is more than a clever turn of phrase.

It’s a call to action.

The glass chair offers a reminder that women in finance can see the seat of power, but too many are still navigating a maze of invisible barriers to reach it.

As the data from OneStream’s “The Glass Chair” report makes clear, women who reach the CFO role aren’t just filling a seat. They’re also elevating the entire organization. They outperform, they innovate, and they lead with a blend of strategic insight and emotional intelligence that today’s finance landscape demands.

Yet high performance alone isn’t enough. Accordingly, organizations must invest in mentorship, embrace non-linear career paths, close the AI skills gap, and recognize the value of differing leadership styles.

Want to get involved? Go beyond the status quo, and explore our other insights at https://www.onestream.com/women-in-finance/.