Shattering Ceilings: Reflections on Women’s Progress in Europe and the U.S.

For those that follow me on social media, you know I spent the month of February in Italy. A glorious month full of exploration, great food, meeting new people, and learning more things than I can share in one blog. While I was there we held a trial run of a women’s retreat for future inclusion as part of the She Leads International services. So, of course I was often reflecting on how leadership and progress showed up in Italy for women.

I had the opportunity to visit a woman-owned vineyard near San Gimignano and was struck by the quiet but undeniable progress women are making in the wine industry across Italy. The vineyard owner I met is not only producing exceptional wines but is also running to be the president of the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), the highest classification for Italian wines. Her leadership is part of a broader movement: today, more than one-quarter of all wine producers in Italy are women. In contrast, only 14% of California's wineries are led by women, according to a recent report.

Laura sharing with us the story of her journey from Sicily as a young woman to a now very successful wine and agritourismo company.

Observations like these make me pause and reflect on the stories we tell ourselves about leadership and progress. In the U.S., we often like to think of ourselves as global leaders in gender equality, particularly in professional spaces. And while we have certainly made strides, the numbers suggest that we are not always at the forefront of change. Whether in winemaking, corporate leadership, or politics, women in many European countries are steadily advancing in ways that challenge old narratives.

This is not about competition or judgment—it’s about recognizing that progress takes different forms in different places. In some industries and regions, the barriers women face have been chipped away at a faster pace, while in others, systemic challenges remain deeply ingrained. What inspires me most is seeing women who are not waiting for permission to lead. They are stepping up, forging new paths, and redefining what leadership looks like in their fields.

At Growth By Design, we support spaces where women can break barriers, and that’s why the She Leads conference’s Shattering Ceilings theme feels especially relevant. Leadership isn’t just about reaching the top—it’s about creating new possibilities for those who come next. It’s about challenging outdated assumptions and building networks of support so that progress isn’t isolated but sustained.

As I reflect on my time in Europe, I see a powerful reminder that progress isn’t linear or confined to one place. It’s happening in vineyards and boardrooms, in government offices and grassroots organizations. It’s happening wherever women refuse to accept limitations and instead, step forward to lead.

So the question I leave with you is this: Where are the places we can continue to shatter ceilings? And how can we ensure that when one woman rises, she’s not the only one?