Chief Executive Women

What Chief Executive Women does

Chief Executive Women (CEW) is an Australian non-profit incorporated association founded in 1985 by 15 women, including Barbara Cail AO, to address the underrepresentation of women in senior leadership. Headquartered in Australia (governed under New South Wales law), CEW operates as a curated, peer-nominated membership organization of 1,400+ senior women executives and non-executives across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Its members collectively oversee approximately $749 billion in revenue and lead 1.3 million employees across organizations with a combined market capitalization exceeding $1.144 trillion and a GDP contribution of more than $249 billion to Australia.

CEW's product portfolio centers on three pillars: leadership development programs (the Leaders Program for senior managers 2–4 steps from C-suite, and the Executive Leaders Program for C-suite and board-level women), a scholarships program (300+ recipients since 1992, with placements at Harvard Kennedy School, INSEAD, Oxford Saïd, Stanford GSB, and Melbourne Business School), and evidence-based policy advocacy (including the annual Senior Executive Census tracking women in ASX 300 executive leadership). Distribution is delivered through a national chapter structure spanning every Australian state and territory, an annual single-intake nomination cycle, exclusive member events, and a Member Hub digital platform. There is no proprietary technology stack; the "product" is the curated network itself, the in-person/hybrid programs, and the advocacy work.

CEW generates revenue through two primary streams: recurring annual membership dues (pricing undisclosed) paid by 1,400+ individual members, and tiered corporate partnership and sponsorship revenue (Platinum, Gold, Silver tiers) from named partners including ANZ, BHP, Deloitte, King and Wood Mallesons, PwC, Qantas (Platinum), KPMG (Gold), and Allens (Silver). Go-to-market is a closed-loop sales model: prospective members must be nominated by two current members who have held membership for at least 12 months, with selections made by a Member Nomination Committee. CEW does not publicly disclose its own financial results.

Name

Chief Executive Women

Legal name

Chief Executive Women Inc

Website

https://cew.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chief Executive Women is an Australian non-profit, peer-nominated membership organization of 1,400+ senior women leaders across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, delivering leadership development programs, scholarships, and evidence-based policy advocacy on gender equality.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Women's Leadership Organization

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inclusive Leadership & Leading Diverse Teams (EDABAAAM), Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility (BPAFADAG), Corporate Reputation & Thought Leadership (MPAAAOAF)

Keywords

• Women leadership programs
• Executive membership network
• Professional advocacy organization
• Scholarships for women
• Leadership development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: CEW members pay annual dues to maintain their membership. Members retain their membership even if they no longer meet role requirements, as long as they pay annual dues and comply with the CEW Constitution.
2. Partnership and Sponsorship Revenue: CEW partners with organizations committed to advancing women's leadership through Platinum, Gold, and Silver partnership tiers. Partners include ANZ, BHP, Deloitte, King and Wood Mallesons, PwC, Qantas (Platinum), KPMG (Gold), and Allens (Silver).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Chief Executive Women operates an exclusive peer-nomination membership organization for Australia's most senior women leaders (1,400+ members), offering access to leadership development programs (Leaders Program for senior managers, Executive Leaders Program for C-suite/board-level women), a scholarships program with named partner awards supporting executive education at Harvard, INSEAD, Oxford Saïd, Stanford, and Melbourne Business School, plus evidence-based advocacy on gender equality policy and an annual Senior Executive Census research publication. The organization is funded through individual annual membership dues and tiered corporate partnerships (Platinum/Gold/Silver), including with ANZ, BHP, Deloitte, PwC, Qantas, KPMG, and Allens, to advance women's representation in Australian executive leadership.

Product overview

Chief Executive Women (CEW) is a membership-based leadership organization offering a portfolio of programs and services centered around three pillars: leadership development, scholarships, and advocacy. The core products include the Leaders Program and Executive Leaders Program for senior women, along with a comprehensive Scholarships Program offering multiple named scholarships in partnership with organizations such as ANZ, Chemistry Australia, and the Actuaries Institute. CEW membership provides access to an influential network of 1,400+ senior women leaders, exclusive events, research publications including the annual Senior Executive Census, and the Member Hub online platform. The organization does not offer a technology product or SaaS platform but rather delivers in-person and hybrid programs, events, and advocacy initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Leaders Program Evidence-based leadership development program for senior women managers 2-4 steps from the C-suite, designed to build executive readiness over 6 intensive days using the READY framework; delivered across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane.
• Executive Leaders Program 5-day immersive retreat for C-suite and board-level women designed to amplify gravitas and transformational impact.
• CEW Scholarships Program Scholarship program supporting exceptional women to pursue executive education and accelerate their leadership progression. Since 1992, the program has supported more than 300 women through partnerships with globally recognised institutions including Harvard Kennedy School, INSEAD, Oxford Saïd Business School, and Melbourne Business School.
• ANZ CEW Woman Leader in Sustainability Scholarship Scholarship offered in partnership with ANZ for experienced women sustainability practitioners to develop leadership skills and enhance capabilities in environmental sustainability, corporate sustainability, or sustainable finance; value AUD $25,000.
• Chemistry Australia CEW Woman Leader in STEM Scholarship Partnership with Chemistry Australia offering women in the chemistry industry the opportunity to undertake the Women Transforming Leadership Programme at Oxford Saïd Business School; value AUD $25,000.
• Hansen CEW Leaders Program for the Arts Scholarship Partnership with Jane Hansen AO offering five women working in the Arts sector annually the opportunity to participate in the CEW Leaders Program; value $8,400 covering course fees.
• Actuaries Institute Women Leaders in AI and Data Science Scholarship Scholarship funded by the Actuaries Institute enabling women to attend the Executive Program in Leadership at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
• CEW Membership Membership program connecting Australia's most senior women leaders (1,400+) across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors; members gain access to exclusive events, leadership programs, scholarships, and a national network committed to advancing gender equality. Membership is by peer nomination only.
• Senior Executive Census Annual research publication tracking gender diversity in corporate Australia across ASX 300 companies; now in its ninth year, the Census provides data on women in executive leadership positions used for evidence-based advocacy.
• Member Hub Online platform for CEW members providing access to member directory, event booking, exclusive content, and scholarship applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 scholarships awarded since 1992
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered platinum partner, gold partner, silver partner, core and minor.

• ANZplatinum partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerANZ is a Platinum Partner of CEW, committed to advancing women's leadership and driving gender equity across Australia. The partnership includes the ANZ CEW Woman Leader in Sustainability Scholarship worth $25,000 for sustainability professionals.
• BHPplatinum partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBHP is a Platinum Partner of CEW, supporting the organization's mission to advance women's leadership and gender equality in Australia.
• Deloitteplatinum partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerDeloitte is a Platinum Partner of CEW, providing support for leadership development and gender equity initiatives.
• King and Wood Mallesonsplatinum partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerKing and Wood Mallesons is a Platinum Partner of CEW, supporting the advancement of women in leadership roles.
• PwCplatinum partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPwC is a Platinum Partner of CEW, contributing to the organization's work on gender equality and women's leadership development.
• Qantasplatinum partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerQantas is a Platinum Partner of CEW, supporting the advancement of women leaders across Australia.
• KPMGgold partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerKPMG is a Gold Partner of CEW, supporting the organization's gender equality and leadership development initiatives.
• Allenssilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerAllens is a Silver Partner of CEW, contributing to the advancement of women's leadership in Australia.
• Chemistry AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEW has partnered with Chemistry Australia to offer the Chemistry Australia CEW Woman Leader in STEM Scholarship worth $25,000, enabling women in the chemistry industry to undertake the Women Transforming Leadership Programme at Oxford Saïd Business School.
• ANZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANZ and CEW offer the ANZ CEW Woman Leader in Sustainability Scholarship worth $25,000 for experienced women sustainability practitioners to develop leadership skills at the institution of their choosing.
• Actuaries InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEW partnered with the Actuaries Institute to offer the Women Leaders in AI and Data Science Scholarship, enabling recipients to attend Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program in Leadership.
• Aurora Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEW partnered with Aurora Education Foundation to create the Roberta Sykes CEW Scholarship for rising and mid-career Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women leaders across all industries.
• Settlement Services International (SSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEW has partnered with SSI and the Diversity Council of Australia on projects including the RISE Project (Realise. Inspire. Support. Energise.) to help culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) women progress to leadership positions.
• Diversity Council of Australia (DCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEW partners with DCA on diversity and inclusion initiatives, including anti-racism training and cultural responsiveness programs for organizations working with CARM women.
• Minerva NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEW members serve as mentors through the Minerva Network, supporting women's leadership development.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA): Australian federal agency established to promote gender equality in workplaces, with comparable remit around gender pay gap reporting and data. Cited alongside CEW in shaping policy but operates as a government instrumentality rather than a private membership body.
• Chief Executive Women NZ: New Zealand counterpart organisation with similar remit of advancing women's senior leadership, partnership-driven model, and advocacy programming. Operates in a separate market but with a nearly identical operating model, mission, and brand name, making it the closest geographic peer.

Broad incumbents

• YWCA Australia: National women's organisation with advocacy, leadership development, and scholarship programming. Comparable mission (advancing women's outcomes) and scholarship infrastructure, though typically focused on broader demographics and front-line programs rather than C-suite placement.
• Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA): Independent policy think tank producing research and events informing Australian economic and workplace policy. Overlaps with CEW on policy research, public events, and corporate membership structures, though broader in scope than women's leadership.
• Fortune Most Powerful Women: Media platform tracking senior women in business globally; operates an invite-only summit comparable to CEW's exclusive events. While commercial/media rather than nonprofit, it is a peer in shaping visibility and convening power for senior women executives.
• Catalyst: US-headquartered but globally recognised non-profit focused on advancing women in leadership through research, advisory services, and corporate inclusion support. Catalyst is a broad incumbent in the same advocacy/research category as CEW, with a much larger global footprint but comparable corporate partner model.

Direct peers

• Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD): National membership organisation for directors and senior business leaders, with comparable curated peer access and leadership programs (including the AICD Chair and Director courses). AICD competes with CEW for mind-share of senior Australian executives seeking professional development and board-ready networks.
• Diversity Council Australia: Australia's leading diversity and inclusion research and advocacy body, where incoming CEW CEO Lisa Annese previously led for a decade. DCA directly overlaps with CEW on D&I policy research, advocacy submissions, and corporate partnership engagement, making it the closest functionally comparable peer despite CEW's sharper focus on women's executive leadership.
• 30% Club: Global campaign with an Australia chapter (30% Club Australia) focused on achieving at least 30% female representation on ASX-listed boards and senior leadership. Highly comparable to CEW in mission (women in executive leadership), advocacy model, and corporate partner engagement.

Emerging players

• WomenLift Health: Global organisation committed to increasing the proportion of women in global health leadership through fellowship, convening, and research. Comparable in leadership development program model and curated network of senior women, though narrower sector focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKYKR6Zid7BjXnRMcqnQ71g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chief-executive-women-cew-
• Xx.com/cewaus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Chief Executive Women