Much has been written about the leaky pipeline, the trend where the proportion of women decreases significantly at each stage of career progression. Women are “leaking out” of the system at various points, leading to fewer women reaching higher leadership positions.
In fact, though women make up half of all entry level hires, fewer than 1 in 4 hold C-suite roles.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, more than 400,000 women left the workforce in the first half of 2025. It’s the steepest decline in more than 40 years for mothers of young children. In the current climate of economic uncertainty, there are fears that the leaky pipeline is not only here to stay, but is certain to get worse in the coming years.
MCB’s most recent Women In Business series took on this very topic, bringing three women together to discuss current trends and offer insights and potential solutions for women at every career stage.
On November 18, Kate Bates, President of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Kristi Dean, President of KLDean & Associates, joined MCB Chief Financial Officer Sarah DeVoe, who served as moderator, for an engaging panel discussion.
In introducing themselves at the beginning of the event, both Kate and Kristi reiterated their interest and passion for this subject. Kristi shared her mantra: “If you are happy at work you are happy at life.” She began her career in banking and transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding her talent advisory firm after working in recruiting for several years.
Kate has been with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce for 18 years, becoming the Chamber’s first female CEO 11 years ago.
Sarah jumped into the discussion sharing some sobering insights. The pandemic and its aftermath created circumstances that disproportionately affected working mothers. Rising child care costs, difficulty finding flexible work arrangements, lack of programs and resources to support women in professional advancement, are just a few of the roadblocks women have encountered in recent years while trying to grow their careers.
Sarah asked both panelists what they have personally observed with respect to workplace challenges women sometimes face. Kate spoke to the rising cost of childcare. “Women are still the primary caregivers in most family arrangements,” she shared. “Arlington is the most expensive place in the country for child care.” The Arlington Chamber is launching a pilot program to combat this, offering resources to help working parents find better and more affordable options.
Another roadblock is more innate. “It’s hard for women to promote ourselves,” Kristi commented.
Kate agreed, adding: “Women don’t always advocate for ourselves, we are better advocates for others.”
Both women encouraged audience members to become comfortable with self advocacy and to “know your value.” Kristi added: “When navigating challenges, don’t be afraid to ask for support.”
Another obstacle for women has simply been lack of flexibility in some roles, which can make it more difficult to balance family demands with career goals. Both panelists encouraged women to be proactive discussing their concerns and needs with their employers. But when approaching employers, both women stressed the importance of being aware of the requirements of your role.
“Look at things from your employer’s perspective as well as your own perspective,” Kate suggested. “Make sure you understand the job function, and the core tenets of the role.”
She remarked that if requests are aligned in this regard, it will make the case for flexibility that much more effective.
Added Kristi, remember three things: “Communication, alignment, and staying true to your core values.”
The panelists also encouraged women to find mentors and check in with them on a regular basis. Kristi has found great value in mentorship and makes it a priority to stay in touch, saying she usually knows when it is time to connect with her mentor.
Other tips for women as they seek to grow their careers? Kristi suggested staying open, and considering new industries that may have opportunities for advancement. For example, construction and commercial real estate are industries where women are underrepresented.
Kate encouraged women who are looking to position themselves for advancement to “say yes” to requests as often as possible. “Look around, what are some of the problems in your workplace? Think about ways you can help solve some of those challenges.”
Sarah asked the panelists for advice on how women can raise their profiles as they seek opportunity. “Get involved in chambers and trade associations,” commented Kate. She also suggested getting more active on LinkedIn, getting involved in advisory boards, and going to in-person events to network and forge relationships. Community-building events provide great opportunities to meet new people and build connections.
Added Kristi, offering words of wisdom from one of her favorite quotes: “Don’t wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it!”
Sarah closed the discussion by sharing some of her own perspectives from her career trajectory. She suggested women not be afraid to “think outside the box, and be open to a career pivot.” She herself took a hiatus out of public accounting a few years ago to work for a tech startup. It was a completely different world where she learned new and interesting things. Though she eventually came back to accounting, she found the experience refreshing and rewarding as she immersed herself in a different industry. “There may be different pathways,” she suggested. “Don’t think about the career ladder, think about the career lattice,” where learning occurs from non-linear career development.
Kristi agreed and added, “Don’t be afraid to make something happen for yourself.”
Don’t miss our next Women in Business Series event in Spring 2026! Follow us on our social channels and make sure to subscribe to our blog to stay in touch!
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