The 25 best CEOs of small companies, according to female employees

Location: West Hollywood, California

Employee quote: "Smart, honest, hard-working, and invested in the entire team's success. Commitment to continuous improvement at all levels of the organization."

Location: El Segundo, California

Employee quote: "Our team is engaged, agile, empowered, encouraged to share views/opinions (even if they differ from others), collaborative, diverse, and our environment supports team members to achieve our individual and collective goals."

Location: San Francisco, California

Employee quote: "Transparency, humility, and doing the right thing when no one is looking. The level of transparency is something I haven't seen before at previous orgs. Goals are clearly laid out, and it's clear they want everyone involved. It's amazing how much they ensure we're happy."

Location: San Francisco, California

Employee quote: "The leadership team is open to feedback, genuinely cares about the company, our employees, and our customers. For example, they have driven a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness program to live the values that we say that we have."

Location: Lehi, Utah

Employee quote: "They truly care about the people that work here and treat them as equals. I am impressed by how they are constantly doubling down on the employees."

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Employee quote: "David Cancel is always interested in what you are working on. Manages with transparency, empathy, and trust. Grateful to be working at Drift, especially considering current conditions."

Location: San Francisco, California

Employee quote: "Openness to new ideas, bringing on diverse skill sets, focused on sharing wins and making you feel welcome. Very transparent, driven, takes company values seriously, and values people."

Location: Bellevue, Washington

Employee quote: "Many businesses put the bottom line first, but I truly feel that Pace puts people first. The CEO is very personable and reassuring, driven, ethical, passionate, helpful, and bright."

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Employee quote: "The leadership team makes everyone feel valued and appreciated. Everyone has a seat at the table and I not only feel comfortable sharing ideas and feedback, but empowered to do so. Our CEO, Shiv, takes the time to give us detailed quarterly updates and regularly participates in company-wide 'ask me anythings' (AMAs)."

Location: New York, New York

Employee quote: "The Global CEO remains humble and mission-focused. He treats all with respect and appears to value his employees."

Location: San Francisco, California

Employee quote: "From the C-Suite down culture is a key area of focus for Better Place Forests. The simplest way to describe it is everyone is supportive of one another's passions, whether we share those or not."

Location: Redwood City, California

Employee quote: "I admire Ellen's air of transparency and her fearless approach to hard questions with honesty. I like the strong moral stance that leadership, especially Ellen, has shown in these particularly difficult times."

Location: San Jose, California

Employee quote: "They have a clear vision and a great handle on the business. There has never been any ambiguity about the mission and vision of the company. Due to the tenacity of the CEO and leadership team, the company is thriving in the most uncertain times."

Location: San Diego, California

Employee quote: "There doesn't seem to be a hierarchy at GoSite. We all work together as a team. The upper management fits in perfectly with all team members and we have a very effective way of working with one another to ensure everybody feels respected and appreciated."

Location: San Diego, California

Employee quote: "My experience has been great, they've always been receptive (especially the CEO) and engaging. It's clear they really value everyone, and I definitely feel supported in my career."

Location: San Francisco, California

Employee quote: "They are genuinely passionate about having a positive impact on the world. They're not interested in selling the company to big corporations for huge profit (like our competitors). They're changing the world and doing it on their own terms."

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Employee quote: "Agile and adaptable, understanding and forward-thinking, inclusive as well, innovative, and authentic."

Location: Arlington, Virginia

Employee quote: "Joining the team in the middle of the pandemic, I very much appreciate the transparent leadership style, practical and responsive decision-making, and genuine care for the well-being of employees."

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Employee quote: "Driven, transparent, supportive, and invested in the whole org's success. Constantly looking for ways to communicate effectively with employees to ensure a safe and constructive workplace."

Location: Los Angeles, California

Employee quote: "Paddy is truly inspirational. The company has shown again and again that it cares about its employees. The leadership team is inclusive and creates a family-like environment."

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Employee quote: "Has a strong commitment toward building a unique culture that is refreshingly honest and allows everyone to be true to themselves. Transparent, driven, trustworthy, and experienced. Cares about the people and the mission."

Location: Santa Barbara, California

Employee quote: "Our CEO is so transparent and open with our company, there are no big secrets. She will honestly tell us what is going on. Our founders and leadership are so passionate about HG and making it great."

Location: San Francisco, California

Employee quote: "I've been working with our CEO for over a decade and could not recommend a better leader. Neha has built Contentstack into the amazing company it is today and has successfully fostered a leadership team that puts customers first and values the needs of our employees."

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Employee quote: "Transparent especially during COVID, smart, and strategic. Cares about maintaining a positive and diverse culture. Willingness to listen."

Location: Woburn, Massachusetts

Employee quote: "The CEO really cares. The leadership team is committed to learning and getting better every day. We are a remote company that values work and life balance."

• Read more:
• The 25 best companies for women to work at, ranked
• These were the 50 best US companies for women to work for in 2019
• Lower pay, more harassment: How work in America failed women of color in the 2010s
• Vintage photos show how the role of women in the workforce has evolved in the last 100 years