Despite growing ambitions among women in M&A and professional services, bias and weak support structures continue to hamper their advancement, a new CIL report reveals.
A majority of women in M&A and professional services are aiming high, with 56% aspiring to C-suite positions, according to CIL’s 2025 Women in M&A and Professional Services Survey. Yet workplace bias, lack of mentoring, and inadequate support networks remain persistent barriers to career progression—especially in the US.
The survey, conducted by CIL Management Consultants in partnership with inclusion analytics firm Clusivity, polled 134 women across the US and Europe. A third of American respondents and one in ten European women reported facing sexist bias. Imposter syndrome and misaligned leadership expectations were cited more often by European respondents.
Despite these hurdles, many women said being in the minority helped them stand out. Over half of respondents credited their unique perspectives for fostering empathy, resilience, and deeper client relationships. A vast majority—93% in Europe and 86% in the US—agreed that gender-diverse teams drive better decision-making.
To improve retention and equity, respondents called for stronger mentoring, visible female leadership, shared parental leave policies, and more inclusive work cultures. “Inclusion isn’t about one-off initiatives,” said Meera Somji, Co-Founder of Clusivity. “It’s about how people are supported, promoted, and seen.”
Tabitha Elwes, Partner at CIL, added, “To build the next generation of women leaders, companies must commit to inclusive systems, flexible work, and real role models.”
