In a study on women and advancement, this pharmaceutical company sought to explain why more female employees weren’t moving into its most senior positions. Out of this effort grew its strategy-focused Global Advancement of Women Steering Group. Among the women who have recently scored big promotions are Marion McCourt, the former president and CEO of AstraZeneca Canada, named chief operating officer for the U.S. business, and Linda Palczuk, VP of sales and marketing, who now also oversees business development, procurement and commercial strategy.

President, AstraZeneca US & CEO, North America: Richard Fante

Executive VP, HR & Corporate Affairs: Lynn Tetrault

% of senior managers who are women: 40%

% of corporate executives who are women: 29%

% of promotions to manager, senior manager and corporate executive positions that went to women: 53%

% of the top 10% of the company’s earners who are women: 37%

% of corporate executives with profit-and-loss responsibility who are women: 50%

% of the executives running divisions with revenues of more than a billion dollars who are women: 43%

% of executives who report directly to the CEO who are women: 43%

% of the members of the board of directors who are women: 27%

% of female workforce participating in mentoring: 2%