Women Executives Increasingly Define Ambition Through Entrepreneurship
A new survey reveals a significant shift in career aspirations among women executives, with the vast majority reporting increased ambition and a move towards building “portfolio careers” that blend traditional roles with entrepreneurial ventures.
National data released today, October 31, 2025, from a survey conducted by Chief, a membership community for senior women leaders, and The Harris Poll, found that 86% of women executives feel more ambitious now than they did five years ago. The survey, encompassing over 1,000 women in VP-level positions and above, also showed that 96% have made bold career moves recently, with 71% of those changes being proactive rather than reactive. This trend signals a broader re-evaluation of career paths and a desire for greater control and impact.
According to the findings, senior women leaders now typically hold three professional identities simultaneously, with 52% of C-Suite executives actively pursuing portfolio careers that combine corporate positions with board service, entrepreneurship, consulting, or creative endeavors. “Leadership for women today is not a linear path. It’s multidimensional,” stated Alison Moore, CEO of Chief. “That might mean leading from the C-Suite, building something new, investing in businesses, taking a power pause to chart what’s next, or joining boards. Often, it’s pursuing several of those ambitions all at once.” The rise of portfolio careers is particularly notable as it challenges conventional notions of career progression and offers women greater flexibility and autonomy. For more information on the changing landscape of work, see resources from the Brookings Institution.
The survey also highlighted a growing trend of women leveraging their extensive corporate experience to address the persistent gender funding gap in venture capital. While women founders raised $38.8 billion in venture capital in 2024 – representing just 2.3% of total VC funding according to PitchBook – many senior women are now writing angel checks, advising startups, and even launching funds specifically to back women-led ventures. Chief plans to continue its research into these evolving career patterns and their impact on the broader business landscape.
