Written By Alexandra Mayhew (with the assistance of AI)

 

 

The State of Women in PR

An overview of the current landscape and representation of women in the industry

The public relations industry has seen a remarkable influx of women over the past few decades, with women now constituting a significant portion of the workforce. This shift has brought fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the field. However, despite their substantial presence, women still encounter significant hurdles when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder. While women make up the vast majority of communications professionals in the field, we occupy only a small fraction of senior positions in the PR industry, underscoring the ongoing struggle for gender equality. This disparity highlights the need for concerted efforts to ensure that women not only enter the industry but also ascend to leadership positions.

 

The Leadership Gap: Representation vs. Decision-Making Power in Leadership Positions

Women make up the majority of the PR and communications workforce, yet leadership positions remain disproportionately male-dominated. The Global Women in PR Annual Index 2024 found that:

• 61% of PR boardrooms are still male-dominated.
• 52% of PR professionals feel their workplace gender split is unfair.
• 91% agree more needs to be done to ensure women take on leadership roles.

These figures highlight a persistent imbalance between representation and decision-making power. PR may be a female-dominated field, but leadership, ownership, and financial influence still rest largely with men. To bridge this divide, it is crucial for industry leaders to actively promote female leaders, cultivate their leadership skills, and create pathways for their professional growth. For women of color, the disparities are even greater—with a lack of data itself speaking volumes about the challenges they face in ownership and executive leadership.

Female managing directors play a pivotal role in promoting and supporting other women within the public relations sector, creating a more inclusive work environment.

Examining the disparity between presence in leadership roles and actual decision-making influence

While women are increasingly visible in leadership roles within the public relations sector, their influence on key decision-making processes often remains limited. This gap is particularly pronounced in the corporate communications arena, where women are underrepresented in pivotal decision-making positions. To bridge this divide, it is crucial for industry leaders to actively promote female leaders and create pathways for their professional growth. By fostering an environment that values and amplifies the voices of women, the PR industry can harness the full potential of its diverse talent pool and drive meaningful change.

The Glass Ceiling and Gender Pay Gap

Addressing persistent barriers and disparities in compensation

Despite the progress made in recent years, the glass ceiling and gender pay gap continue to pose significant challenges for women in the PR industry. Women often find themselves earning less than their male counterparts. This disparity not only affects individual women but also undermines the overall equity and fairness within the industry. To tackle this issue, companies must prioritize transparency in compensation practices and ensure that equal pay is provided for equal work. Additionally, breaking down the glass ceiling requires a concerted effort to create opportunities for women to advance to leadership positions. By addressing these barriers, the PR industry can move closer to achieving true gender equality.

 

Motherhood and Work-Life Balance

Flexibility, Leadership, and the Workplace Shift

One of the most significant changes benefiting women in PR is the shift toward flexible work environments. Research from Deloitte found that in highly flexible workplaces, two-thirds of women planned to stay with their employer for over three years—a number that drops dramatically in more rigid structures.

Networking events, both in-person and virtual, have become essential platforms for women in PR to connect, learn from experienced leaders, and support each other’s career advancement.

However, the push to return to traditional office environments is disproportionately affecting women. Many still bear the majority of caregiving responsibilities, and studies indicate that those who work remotely more often are at greater risk of being overlooked for promotions. While flexibility offers opportunities, it does not on its own address salary disparities, promotion gaps, or systemic biases in leadership pathways.

IPREX: A Network That Defies the Trend

At IPREX, the numbers tell a different story, with professional women in leadership and ownership far exceeding industry averages. This reflects the network’s foundation in collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and strong professional relationships—attributes that often attract and empower women in business.

Female Leaders in IPREX are not only present in leadership—they shape the direction of the network:

• Global President: Woman
• Americas President: Woman of Color
• APAC President: Woman of Color
• Treasurer: Woman
• Four out of six committee chairs are women
• Executive Director: Woman

This representation isn’t a coincidence. When women are given leadership opportunities, they step up and take them.

The Power of Mentorship for Professional Growth

Mentorship is a proven driver of career advancement, and IPREX is actively fostering that growth. The network runs two mentorship programs—one for the IPREX Academy and another for the IPREX Student Cohort—with two-thirds of mentors being women.

However, mentorship alone isn’t enough. Male allies play a crucial role in sponsoring women, advocating for their leadership, and ensuring their voices are heard at the decision-making table. Research consistently shows that when men actively mentor and sponsor women, career progression and salary equity improve significantly.

What’s Next for Women in Public Relations & Communications?

Despite the gaps that still exist, there is momentum. Women in PR and communications are taking ownership, leading businesses, and shifting the industry’s leadership dynamics. At IPREX, we are proud to be part of that change—building an inclusive, supportive, and opportunity-driven network that ensures the next generation of women in PR can lead, innovate, and thrive.

This International Women’s Day, the focus isn’t just on what still needs to change—it’s also on celebrating the progress being made and the leaders making it happen.