Investing in Women's Early Careers Leads to Organizational Benefits
Chief study finds that investing in women’s networking leads to company gains.
Welcome to 2026: a new year with new possibilities and opportunities to advance women in their careers.
At ChIPs, our year always begins with our signature NextGen programming: the Mock Pitch Program and the NextGen Summit. Both experiences give associates and junior partners within law firms or in-house counsel roles space to develop new skills, strengthen their leadership, and forge meaningful connections. Every year, we hear how deeply these programs resonate with participants, not only for what they learn, but for how they connect with one another:
“So many conferences just have us all traveling to receive information while sitting side-by-side, which does very little to help people make or sustain genuine connections. This was the best format I have ever seen for actually prompting and allowing people to connect in a meaningful way.”
This spirit of community and connection is echoed in a new report recently released by Chief. Surveying 751 women leaders at and above the management level in the United States, the report found that women’s networking plays a critical role in achieving key career milestones and drives broader revenue and business benefits for organizations.
Among the report’s key findings:
- Networking events and groups are among the most effective drivers of career growth.
- Successful networkers are proactive and engage often — not only when they need a job.
- Only 32% of surveyed women leaders have a mentor, yet mentorship remains a powerful factor in advancement.
- Our ChIPsters have echoed this in our reports, too.
More than 80% of surveyed women reported using networking to secure paid board seats, negotiate higher pay, and reach C-suite positions. Over 70% have leveraged their networks to achieve organizational wins, from winning new business to improving processes and saving money for their teams.
The takeaway for employers is clear: empower women leaders to build external connections by supporting participation in conferences, networking groups, and industry associations. These investments benefit both individuals and organizations.
And for individuals, the report encourages moving from intention to action and offers a few tips to start taking charge of your career trajectory:
- Say yes to in-person networking opportunities; invite a colleague if it helps you feel more comfortable.
- Engage someone meaningful in your network at least once a week.
- Think beyond a single mentor: who belongs on your personal board of directors?
- Our advice: reach out to a fellow ChIPster for mentorship!
- If you’ve been hesitating to network authentically, consider this your supportive push.
At ChIPs, we see every day how powerful community, mentorship, and shared leadership can be. As we begin 2026, we remain committed to creating spaces where women can build the relationships that sustain and accelerate their careers.
Warm regards,
Joan Toth
