20 of the most influential female business leaders globally
Mary Barra: As the CEO of General Motors since 2014, Barra has been instrumental in steering the company towards electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies. In 2024, she was named the most powerful woman in business by Fortune magazine.
Leena Nair: Appointed as the CEO of Chanel in 2021, Nair previously served as the Chief Human Resource Officer at Unilever. She is recognized for her advocacy of human-centered workplaces and compassionate leadership.
Güler Sabancı: As the chairperson of Sabancı Holding, one of Turkey's largest industrial and financial conglomerates, Sabancı has been a pivotal figure in Turkish business. She was listed as the 77th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes in 2023.
Lisa Su: The CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Su has led the company to significant advancements in semiconductor technology, solidifying its position in the tech industry.
Emma Walmsley: As the CEO of GlaxoSmithKline, Walmsley has been at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation, especially during the global health challenges of recent years.
Safra Catz: Serving as the CEO of Oracle Corporation, Catz has played a crucial role in the company's growth and strategic acquisitions, strengthening its position in the software industry.
Rosalind Brewer: Appointed as the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Brewer is one of the few Black women leading Fortune 500 companies, focusing on healthcare accessibility and innovation.
Sheryl Sandberg: As the former COO of Facebook (now Meta Platforms), Sandberg was instrumental in scaling the company and is a prominent advocate for women in leadership through her "Lean In" movement.
Indra Nooyi: Serving as the CEO of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018, Nooyi led the company through significant strategic shifts and remains an influential figure in business and mentorship.
Ruth Porat: As the CFO of Alphabet Inc. and Google, Porat has been pivotal in managing the financial strategies of one of the world's most valuable companies.
Abigail Johnson: As the CEO of Fidelity Investments, Johnson has led the firm into the digital age, embracing new technologies and expanding its global reach.
Susan Wojcicki: Serving as the CEO of YouTube, Wojcicki has overseen the platform's growth into a global content powerhouse, influencing media consumption worldwide.
Marissa Mayer: As the former CEO of Yahoo!, Mayer was one of the first female engineers at Google and has been a prominent figure in the tech industry.
Ana Botín: As the Executive Chairman of Santander Group, Botín has been influential in European banking, focusing on digital transformation and sustainable finance.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: Founder and Executive Chairperson of Biocon, Mazumdar-Shaw is a pioneer in the biotechnology industry in India, contributing significantly to affordable healthcare.
Oprah Winfrey: A media mogul, Winfrey leveraged her talk show success into a diverse business empire, including a television network, production company, and philanthropic ventures.
Whitney Wolfe Herd: As the founder and CEO of Bumble, Wolfe Herd became the youngest female CEO to take a company public in the U.S., revolutionizing the online dating industry.
Jessica Tan: Co-CEO of Ping An Insurance, Tan has been instrumental in integrating technology with financial services, leading innovations in fintech and healthcare.
Laurene Powell Jobs: Founder of Emerson Collective, Powell Jobs invests in education, media, and social justice initiatives, impacting various sectors through her philanthropic efforts.
Melinda French Gates: Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, French Gates has been a driving force in global health, education, and gender equality initiatives.
These leaders exemplify the profound impact women have across industries, driving innovation, fostering inclusivity, and shaping the future of global business.