Bacardi Limited has advanced to 32nd place in Forbes’ World’s Top Companies for Women 2026 ranking, improving significantly from its 60th-place position in the previous year. The family-owned spirits company has now secured a place on the international list for five consecutive years. It is the highest-ranked company in the spirits sector this year and holds second place in the “Food, Soft Beverages, Alcohol & Tobacco” category.
The recognition highlights Bacardi’s ongoing efforts to expand professional opportunities, support career progression, and foster an inclusive workplace where employees feel respected, encouraged, and equipped to succeed.
“The most meaningful measure of our progress is seeing talented women choose to join Bacardi, build their careers here and advance into leadership roles,” said Nicole Zukowski, Chief Supply Chain Officer and Executive Sponsor of Bacardi Limited’s Good Spirited Corporate Sustainability initiative. She emphasized that the company aims to create opportunities, encourage professional growth, and nurture a sense of belonging, adding that employee success contributes directly to the company’s overall performance.
How Bacardi Supports Women’s Career Growth and Empowerment Bacardi has introduced a range of initiatives designed to advance women’s professional development within the organization and promote greater opportunities across the wider community.
- Increasing women’s representation in leadership: Women account for 45% of Bacardi’s leadership positions at manager level and above. The company also reports gender equity in areas including recruitment, employee turnover, compensation, and engagement.
- Supporting professional development: Bacardi works to maintain balanced representation across its key talent-development programs, providing employees with opportunities to strengthen their capabilities and gain the experience needed for career advancement.
- Building industry networks: The company engages with organizations dedicated to supporting women in the drinks and hospitality sectors. These include Women of the Vine & Spirits, Women Leading Rum & Spirits, the OurWhisky Foundation, and the LEAD Network.
- Promoting financial independence: In the United States, Bacardi supports Dress for Success Miami, an organization that helps individuals prepare for employment and improve their financial independence through professional clothing, practical resources, and skills development.
- Creating hospitality opportunities for women: In India, Bacardi offers a women-only cohort through Shake Your Future, its free bartending training initiative. The program seeks to encourage more women to explore careers in hospitality and the beverage industry, alongside other cohorts in the market that welcome participants of all genders.
- Raising awareness about menopause: In the United Kingdom, Bacardi’s network of Menopause Champions promotes open discussion, increases understanding of menopause, and helps support employees experiencing it, as well as their colleagues and others around them.
