Abstract
Despite progress in women’s workforce participation, women continue to exit high-powered careers due to systemic challenges. This study explored the psychological, organizational, and sociological challenges that shape women’s career trajectories in Pakistan, revealing the factors that influence both their persistence and eventual exit. Through interviews with 16 former senior executives, the key themes for challenges emerged, including gender bias, rigid workplace structures, work-family conflict, lack of supportive policies, mommy guilt and burnout etc. Women were often overcompensating while juggling uneven domestic responsibilities and were repeatedly having to prove themselves in professional settings. The analysis is underway and will also highlight the factors enabling persistence as well as the tipping points driving exits. Preliminary findings reveal that strong mentorship, professional fulfillment, and financial independence encouraged retention. Ongoing work aims to refine these insights, contributing to a deeper understanding of gender dynamics in corporate leadership.