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

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The 25 best CEOs of small and midsize companies ranked, according to female employees
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25. Jessica DeVlieger, C Space

25. Jessica DeVlieger, C Space
Jessica DeVlieger. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Industry: Market research

Employee quote about the CEO: "Smart, hard-working, willing to take feedback to heart and bring a ton of passion and innovative thinking to what's possible."

24. Aaron King, Snapdocs

24. Aaron King, Snapdocs
Aaron King. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: San Francisco, California

Industry: Real estate software

Employee quote about the CEO: "The leadership at Snapdocs seems to truly care for the wellbeing of their workers and the work life balance."

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23. Amir Movafaghi, Mixpanel

23. Amir Movafaghi, Mixpanel
Amir Movafaghi. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: San Francisco, California

Industry: Data analytics

Employee quote about the CEO: "I also love that he has set goals about diversity and inclusion and has really shown up to support women and other minorities in the workplace with career progressions."

22. David Muse, Elemica

22. David Muse, Elemica
David Muse. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania

Industry: Enterprise software and network solutions

Employee quote about the CEO: "David Muse as CEO invites transparency across all aspects of the business, whether positive items or problematic areas."

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21. Katherine Power, Who What Wear

21. Katherine Power, Who What Wear
Katherine Power. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Los Angeles, California

Industry: Online publishing

Employee quote about the CEO: "Incredibly knowledgeable about the fashion and beauty industry. Each time she brings something different to the table and ensures our success year after year."

20. Paddy Spence, Zevia

20. Paddy Spence, Zevia
Paddy Spence. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Encino, California

Industry: Food and beverage

Employee quote about the CEO: "Our CEO's #1 priority is the health and safety of all our employees."

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19. David Cancel, Drift

19. David Cancel, Drift
David Cancel. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Industry: Enterprise software

Employee quote about the CEO: "David Cancel, known as DC, sits out among the team at a desk just like anyone else. He's super approachable, incredibly transparent, and is always interested in what you are working on."

18. David Grace, Deem

18. David Grace, Deem
David Grace. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Oakland, California

Industry: Mobile and cloud technology

Employee quote about the CEO: "Transparency and inclusion from both a knowledge as well as a people perspective."

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17. Mike Clayman, Flexion Therapeutics

17. Mike Clayman, Flexion Therapeutics
Mike Clayman. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Burlington, Massachusetts

Industry: Biopharmaceutical

Employee quote about the CEO: "Flexion continues to be the best organization I have ever worked at. We are led by a superbly accomplished, equally humble and caring CEO."

16. Joanna McFarland, HopSkipDrive

16. Joanna McFarland, HopSkipDrive
Joanna McFarland. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Los Angeles, California

Industry: Ridesharing mobile app

Employee quote about the CEO: "Cares about moving the company and the team forward: always striving and thinking of new ways we can all be better. I've never felt as valued or engaged."

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15. Ryan Malone, SmartBug Media

15. Ryan Malone, SmartBug Media
Ryan Malone. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Newport Beach, California

Industry: Digital marketing

Employee quote about the CEO: "Forward-thinking, with a culture based on trust, collaboration, and inclusion.

14. Todd Olson, Pendo

14. Todd Olson, Pendo
Todd Olson. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Industry: SaaS/enterprise software

Employee quote about the CEO: "The CEO is the nicest person. Continues to promote an inclusive and diverse work environment."

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13. Jessica Mah, inDinero

13. Jessica Mah, inDinero
Jessica Mah. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Walnut, California

Industry: Online financial services

Employee quote about the CEO: "Our CEO has invested heavily in regular interactions with the team, which allows each of us to feel like we are a part of the direction of the company."

12. Jason Purcell, Salsify

12. Jason Purcell, Salsify
Jason Purcell. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Industry: Analytics software

Employee quote about the CEO: "The CEO is incredibly transparent and down to earth and I appreciate how he runs the company."

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11. Michael Winwood, Optomi

11. Michael Winwood, Optomi
Michael Winwood. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Industry: Staffing and recruiting

Employee quote about the CEO: "Caring, knowledgeable, funny, relatable, creative."

10. Doug Hirsch and Trevor Bezdek, GoodRx

10. Doug Hirsch and Trevor Bezdek, GoodRx
Doug Hirsch and Trevor Bezdek. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Santa Monica, California

Industry: Pharmaceutical healthcare

Employee quote about the CEO: "They are transparent, kind, empathetic and have established a wonderful culture."

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9. John Benson, Verisys Corporation

9. John Benson, Verisys Corporation
John Benson. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Alexandria, Virginia

Industry: Information technology and services

Employee quote about the CEO: "Very understanding of our needs and will do what he can to accommodate working Moms. I have never worked with another company who seems to put their employees first."

8. Ellen Kullman, Carbon

8. Ellen Kullman, Carbon
Ellen Kullman. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Redwood City, California

Industry: Manufacturing

Employee quote about the CEO: "I admire Ellen's air of transparency and her fearless approach to hard questions with honesty."

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7. Steven Sugarman, The Change Company

7. Steven Sugarman, The Change Company
Steven Sugarman. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Irvine, California

Industry: Financial services

Employee quote about the CEO: "He listens, is inclusive, and helps find solutions."

6. Ross Wainwright, Alida

6. Ross Wainwright, Alida
Ross Wainwright. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Toronto, California

Industry: Computer software

Employee quote about the CEO: "A lot of empathy and recognition."

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5. Alessio Alionco, Pipefy

5. Alessio Alionco, Pipefy
Alessio Alionco. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: California City, California

Industry: SaaS

Employee quote about the CEO: "I love the motivation and enthusiasm our leader provides."

4. William J. (John) Berger, Sunnova Energy

4. William J. (John) Berger, Sunnova Energy
William J. (John) Berger. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Houston, Texas

Industry: Renewables and environment

Employee quote about the CEO: "I appreciate the dedication and effort put into moving forward against our competitors in a morally and honestyguided way."

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3. William J. Tessar, Civic Financial Services

3. William J. Tessar, Civic Financial Services
William J. Tessar. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Redondo Beach, California

Industry: Financial Services

Employee quote about the CEO: "Transparent and frequent communication; trust and autonomy to do your job; inspiring and ethical; developing people and enabling them to do their best."

2. Alexis Borisy, EQRx

2. Alexis Borisy, EQRx
Alexis Borisy. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Industry: Pharmaceutical healthcare

Employee quote about the CEO: "Clarity of purpose, unity of focus, ability to execute, ability to motivate, ability to include and elevate all employees."

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1. Christian Gormsen, Eargo

1. Christian Gormsen, Eargo
Christian Gormsen. Courtesy of Comparably

Location: San Jose, California

Industry: Medical devices

Employee quote about the CEO: "Honest, Caring, Genuine. Promotes from within, recognizes achievements."

Here is the full list for small and midsize companies:

Here is the full list for small and midsize companies:
Courtesy of Comparably
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Method and data source

If you are a woman looking to work at a company where female employees highly approve of their CEO, Comparably's fourth annual best CEOs for women ranking may be a helpful resource in your job search. 

To find the highest-rated CEOs, Comparably used anonymous ratings from female employees collected from June 23, 2020 to June 23, 2021. Only companies with less than 500 employees are part of the small and midsize company list.

Only five female CEOs ranked in the top 25, including Carbon's CEO Ellen Kullman who was the only women part of the top 10 this year. Kullman has an overall CEO approval rating of 87 out of 100 on Comparably

The full list, including the top CEOs of large companies according to women, can be found on Comparably. Employee quotes and industries noted above are from Comparably and provided to Insider.