Aparna Joshi, professor of management and organizations at Michigan Ross and member of the Sanger Research Lab, is the recipient of the 2025 Academy of Management Journal (AMJ) Impact Award. This honor is given annually to research published over the past two decades that exemplifies the rare balance of theoretical depth and practical impact, shaping the way organizations and society think about leadership.
Professor Joshi’s award-winning article examines the conditions that support the success of female CEOs. Between 1989 and 2009, fewer than 100 women rose to Fortune 500 CEO roles. Joshi and her co-authors, then doctoral student P. Dwivedi, along with V. F. Misangyi, studied each of these rare cases, uncovering patterns that influenced whether these women thrived. They found that an inclusive male predecessor was a necessary condition for success, alongside governance structures and policies designed to support incoming leaders. Together, these factors created “recipes” that enabled female CEOs to not only drive performance at thriving companies but also successfully turn around struggling firms.
Reflecting on the recognition, Joshi shared: “To me, there is no greater accomplishment than having our peers recognize our research as socially impactful, theoretically significant, and methodologically rigorous. We hope that our research continues to guide leaders committed to inclusion.”
Today, 52 women serve as Fortune 500 CEOs—the highest number in history, but still a fraction of total leadership. Joshi’s work illuminates how organizational culture and inclusive leadership practices can make a tangible difference, offering guidance for those dedicated to advancing equity at the highest levels of business.