McKinsey Women

Supporting each other, achieving together

Community and mentorship

A global women’s network

McKinsey Women is a powerful network that provides formal and informal mentoring, training, and relationship-building opportunities. Each office fosters local connections and delivers local programs to help women connect, learn, and grow.

Advocacy & Research

At McKinsey, we have a deep and longstanding commitment to advancing parity for women in work and in society. To date, we've invested more than $20 million USD in original research on the importance of women in leadership positions and in the economy.

Inclusion and diversity have always been core to our mission and values, our research inspired us to accelerate our efforts to advance gender parity within our firm. Using our global reach, we share our insights, convene partnerships for action, and serve clients, to inform critical decision-makers with the power to make real change.

The evolving role of women in our firm

Jane Glick, Jacqueline Browne, and Joan E. Griewank.

Created our first affirmative action plan committing to fostering diversity in our firm, and the first McKinsey Quarterly article on gender diversity is published.

Events and networks

Joining McKinsey means joining a legacy of female leadership. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a recent graduate, working at McKinsey will accelerate your growth. We invite you to get to know us at an event in your region. Find out more here.

Building Connections

Individual offices offer women-focused sessions addressing topics such as building relationships with senior clients, developing networks, and being a mom at McKinsey. These forums can be annual off-site meetings, a workshop series, or Friday events in the office.

Building Communities

There are also informal support networks for women. For example, McKinsey Moms is a close-knit network that supports mothers before, during, and after pregnancy. McKinsey Moms is full of women to tap into for their knowledge on how to continue a successful career after becoming a parent and the group publishes a moms' guide called Laptops and Lullabies.

Building Support Systems

McKinsey fosters growth through robust support systems, including a formalized partner mentor/sponsor program and opportunities for colleagues to mentor others. We also offer benefits that support physical and mental health, financial well-being, family care, and flexibility, creating a welcoming environment that helps colleagues thrive at all stages of life.

“Diversity and inclusion shouldn’t be treated as a separate initiative—it must be embedded into everything we do. We know we are at our best when we create blended and diverse teams, and we have made steady progress, particularly as we hire and advance more women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ colleagues.” — Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner

“I have been committed to a more diverse and inclusive workplace for over 20 years. I know that diverse teams find better answers and create a work atmosphere where everyone can thrive. At McKinsey, our programs—including flexibility, parental leaves and reboarding, training, and sponsorship—support our people and foster an inclusive culture across the globe.” — Maria Martinez, Senior Partner and All In, Diversity & Inclusion Leader

“I am proud of the progress we have made globally to have more women at McKinsey across all levels. Having impact with our clients depends on getting exceptional talent and developing leaders, and diversity and inclusion are critical to that.” — Kweilin Ellingrud, Senior Partner and All In, Diversity & Inclusion Leader

Our new book for women in the corporate workforce

The Broken Rung, a book aimed at helping women in the first decade of their careers build their "experience capital," level the playing field, and unlock their full potential, will be released on March 11, 2025. Written by Kweilin Ellingrud, Lareina Yee, and María del Mar Martínez—three senior partners who also served as our first three consecutive chief diversity and inclusion officers—the book offers valuable insights for women navigating the corporate world.

The book examines how women, despite outperforming men academically and achieving higher graduation rates, lose their advantage once they enter the workforce. In fact, for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 81 women advance, causing women to fall behind early on—long before reaching the “glass ceiling.”

The Broken Rung draws on over a decade of research, conversations with more than 50 influential leaders, and the authors’ personal experiences to provide readers with strategies to accelerate their career growth and overcome obstacles along the way.

Snapshots

The Kuala Lumpur team at a connectivity lunch event

Elevating Women event at McKinsey Riyadh

McKinsey Gurgaon/India team came together to celebrate the vibrant and joyous Dandiya & Garba event on occasion of Diwali.

Kuala Lumpur Office - New Moms Support Group

Next Generation Women Leaders 2023 – Lisbon meet up

The Kuala Lumpur team at a connectivity lunch event