Earlier this week, I asked for your predictions for 2026 on questions ranging from women’s rethinking of corporate America to the ongoing impact of AI. Thank you so much to everyone who sent in their perspectives. You’re realistic about the challenges ahead—yet still bullish about women’s ability to push through them, make change, and deliver real results. Here’s what you’re expecting in the new year:
“In 2026, companies that fail to materially advance women into real decision-making roles will risk measurable economic consequences. Companies that succeed next year and beyond will be those that treat women’s advancement as an operating infrastructure tied to accountability, incentives, and outcomes, rather than as a values statement.”
—Michelle Carnahan, co-founder & CEO of Arbiter “Historically, women have excelled in connective tissue roles like COO, strategy, and planning. In 2026, we will see these operational roles become the primary feeder for the CEO seat (as AI automates routine tasks, orchestrating complex systems and driving speed will be the most valued skills in leaders). That fundamentally changes the traditional path to the top.”
—Eléonore Crespo, co-founder and co-CEO of Pigment“I don’t anticipate a meaningful increase in the share of female founders in 2026. There hasn’t been a shift in dynamics that would spark that change. Vision and execution ultimately matter most, but competing against companies backed by significantly larger rounds makes the climb steeper.”
—Nicole Leib, RVP of People & Global Head of Inclusion, monday.com“I predict we will see more women-led small businesses, like solopreneurship, side hustles, and 2-10 people businesses. I do not predict we will see a big growth in women-led business starts where initial capital investments are steeper.”
—Laura N. “In 2026, as AI agents begin to shop, compare, decide, and transact on our behalf, platforms will be forced to model experiences around the female consumer. That means understanding how women evaluate trust, value, convenience, and long-term outcomes, not just speed or price. I expect women’s influence in this area of AI to be especially powerful.”
—Sophie Mann, CMO at Furnished Finder “In 2026, we’ll see a sharp rise in women-founded, AI-native companies, and the real story will be the downstream effects: more women creating leverage and shaping markets.”
—Marcy Comer, CMO of Eagleview“The one group that is unlikely to be adversely affected by AI are non-entry-level women workers. Because women generally excel at the types of activities that AI simply cannot replicate – yet, anyway. AI is unlikely to replace jobs that demand human-centric qualities.”
—Lisa BarbadoraThank you so much for being with us in 2025. Every time you open an edition of this newsletter, forward it to a friend, post an article you found here in a Slack channel at work, share our work (and tag me!) on LinkedIn or Instagram, or send me an email with your thoughts and carefully considered perspective—it means more than you know. We’ll be back in your inboxes on Jan. 5. Have a restful, restorative holiday season. I’m looking forward to a brighter 2026 powered by all of you.
Emma Hinchliffeemma.hinchliffe@fortune.comThe Most Powerful Women Daily newsletter is Fortune’
s daily briefing for and about the women leading the business world. Subscribe here. Read and share today’s online edition here.
