TOP 100 GLOBAL WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS
BUSINESS LEADERS
Our top 100 women trailblazers report features some of the most influential women business leaders in various industries, whose remarkable achievements and innovative approaches in the past few decades have paved the way for others. These women have helped revolutionize these numbers, breaking through the barriers of gender bias and achieving great success in their respective fields. From CEOs and entrepreneurs to policymakers and philanthropists, these women have inspired others to follow in their footsteps and continue to make a positive impact on society.
These women are just a few examples of the many exceptional business leaders who have made a lasting impact in their fields. Their stories inspire us to strive for excellence and make our mark on the world.
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Indra Nooyi
Indra Nooyi is an Indian-American business executive and former CEO of PepsiCo. She served as CEO of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018, becoming one of the most influential and successful women in the business world. Nooyi is known for her focus on corporate sustainability, innovation, and the empowerment of women in the workplace. During her tenure as CEO, she oversaw the expansion of PepsiCo's product lines to include healthier options and led the company's efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.
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Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is an Indian businesswoman and entrepreneur who is the founder and current Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited, a biotechnology company.She is one of India's most successful and prominent businesswomen. Shaw founded Biocon in 1978 with a seed capital of just Rs.10,000 ($140 at the time), and grew the company into a leading player in the biotechnology industry. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, two of India's highest civilian honors.
Arundhati Bhattacharya
Arundhati Bhattacharya is an Indian banker who served as the first woman chairperson of the State Bank of India (SBI), one of the largest public sector banks in India. Bhattacharya is known for her efforts to modernize and transform SBI. She introduced several innovative initiatives, such as the SBI Digital Village project, which aimed to provide banking services to remote areas of the country through digital channels. In 2020 she was hired as the chairperson and CEO for the India division of Salesforce, the global giant in CRM.
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Jayshree Ullal
Jayshree Ullal is a successful business leader known for her role as CEO of Arista Networks, a leading computer networking company, and board member of Snowflake, a cloud computing company. Ullal's leadership helped Arista become a major player in cloud networking, culminating in a historic IPO in 2014. The company has also been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. With a net worth of $1.9 billion, she is recognized as one of America's richest selfmade women.
Chairperson & CEO, Salesforce India
President & CEO,
Arista Networks
Executive Chairperson & Founder,
Biocon Limited
Former CEO & Chairperson, PepsiCo
Radhika Gupta
Radhika Gupta is the managing director and Chief Executive Officer of India's first billion dollar mutual fund enterprise, Edelweiss Asset Management. She was awarded the Young Global Leader award by the World Economic Forum in 2022. She is also a member of several industry associations and initiatives aimed at supporting women in finance. Gupta takes delight in Delhi's chaat as her favorite street food and is also passionate about investing in diamonds. Udaipur and Meghalaya are her preferred holiday destinations, and she looks forward to visiting Kashmir shortly.
Nita Ambani
Nita Ambani is the visionary and leader behind the Reliance Foundation, which works to provide access to education, sports, the arts, culture, humanitarian support, and philanthropy in India. She is the proud owner of the Mumbai Indians team in the Indian Premier League that has achieved multiple titles. When she is not busy with work, Nita Ambani likes to visit Kruger National Park in South Africa for her holidays. Bhel and Dahi Batata are some of the street food she enjoys.
Janice Bryant Howroyd
Janice Bryant Howroyd is making history as a trailblazing businesswoman, becoming the first African American female to own a billion-dollar business. In 1978, The Act One Group was founded with just $1,500. The company now generates over $3 billion in revenue and operates in 33 countries. She was selected by former President Barack Obama to serve as a White House appointee and continues to serve under the current administration, as an Ambassador of Energy. Mrs. Howroyd gives generously through funding and advocacy for STEM education, particularly for women and minorities. Additionally, Howroyd is the author of "The Art of Work.
Aruna Jayanthi
Aruna Jayanthi is an Indian-American businesswoman who is known for her leadership in the global technology industry. She has held several high-profile positions in Capgemini. She has been recognized as one of the most influential women in the technology sector. She served as the CEO of Capgemini India from 2011 to 2016 and was instrumental in expanding the company's presence in the region.
Managing Director, Capgemini - Latin
America and Canada
Managing Director & CEO,
Edelweiss Asset Management
Founder & Leader, Reliance Foundation
Founder & CEO, The ActOne Group
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Vinita Bali
Vinita Bali is an Indian businesswoman who is known for her contributions to the consumer goods industry. Bali is best known for her tenure as the CEO of Britannia Industries Limited, one of India's leading food companies. Under her leadership, Britannia became one of the most valuable food companies in India, and was recognized for its focus on innovation and sustainability. Currently, Bali serves on the Board of Directors at Cognizant. Bali's expertise in areas such as branding, marketing, and innovation helped to guide Cognizant's strategic direction and growth.
Leena Nair
Leena Nair is an Indian business executive who is the Global CEO of Chanel. Nair previously served as the Chief Human Resource Officer of Unilever and member of the Unilever Leadership Executive. She was the first woman and the first non-European to hold this position. Nair is known for her expertise in human resources and her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. To keep her life balanced, Nair starts each day with 20 minutes of meditation and ends it by writing in her gratitude book.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is a renowned American media mogul, television personality, author, and philanthropist. She established Harpo Productions in 1986, which has yielded many popular television shows and films. In 2000, Winfrey released The Oprah Magazine, and has written numerous best-selling books. Aside from her success in media and entertainment, Oprah is known for her philanthropy. She has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, health care, and disaster relief. Oprah is a passionate cook, enjoys doing yoga and going on hikes.
Ursula Burns
Ursula Burns is an American businesswoman and the former CEO of Xerox Corporation, multinational document management company. She was the first African American woman to serve as the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. During her tenure, she oversaw the company's expansion into new areas such as business services and digital printing. In addition to her work at Xerox, Burns has been involved in several initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM fields. Burns is an avid photographer and enjoys listening to music, particularly jazz and gospel.
Former CEO, Britannia Industries
Global CEO, Chanel
CEO & Chairperson,
Oprah Winfrey Network
Former CEO, Xerox
Padmasree Warrior
Padmasree Warrior is an Indian-American technology executive who has held several senior leadership positions at major technology companies. Warrior began her career as an engineer at Motorola, where she worked for over 20 years and rose through the ranks to become the company's Chief Technology Officer (CTO). She later served as the CTO of Cisco Systems, where she was responsible for driving the company's innovation strategy and leading its technology development efforts. She has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to technology and society.
Mary Barra
Mary Barra is an American business executive who is the current Chairman and CEO of General Motors (GM), a global automotive company. She became the first female CEO of a major global automaker when she took over the position in January 2014. She has transformed GM significantly, focusing on innovation, efficiency, and safety. During her tenure, Barra improved the company's financial performance, undertaken a major recall to address safety concerns, and improved safety protocols.
Arianna Huffington
Arianna Huffington is a Greek-American author, journalist, and entrepreneur, who is best known as the co-founder and former editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, a popular news and opinion website. She is also a prolific writer and commentator on topics related to politics, media, and culture. In addition to her work with The Huffington Post, Huffington is also the author of several books on topics related to politics, personal development, and spirituality. She is a frequent speaker and commentator on issues related to media and technology, and is a vocal advocate for mindfulness and wellness.
Karen S. Lynch
Karen S. Lynch is an American businesswoman who is currently the CEO of CVS Health Corporation, a healthcare company that operates pharmacies, clinics, and other healthcare services. She assumed the position of CEO in February 2021, becoming the first woman to lead the company. Lynch is known for her focus on using technology and data to improve healthcare outcomes and for her efforts to make healthcare more accessible and affordable.
CEO & Chairperson, General Motors
Founder, President & CEO, Fable
Co-Founder, The Huffington Post
President & CEO, CVS Health Corporation
Corie Barry
Corie Barry is an American businesswoman who is currently the CEO of Best Buy, one of the largest consumer electronics retailers in the world. Barry made history as the first female CEO of Best Buy in the 50 years since its inception. During her tenure, she has pushed for digital changes, such as sameday delivery and curbside pickup services, allowing Best Buy to stay competitive with major online retailers. Barry is also a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Rosalind G. Brewer
Rosalind G. Brewer is an American businesswoman and the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, a multinational retail pharmacy chain. In 2021, Rosalind Brewer made history as the CEO of Walgreens, becoming one of only two African-American female CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. She has also served as the President and CEO of Sam's Club, a division of Walmart, where she was responsible for driving the company's growth strategy and leading its transformation efforts. Brewer is also actively involved in several philanthropic initiatives, and has been recognized for her contributions to society and business.
Geisha J. Williams
Geisha J. Williams is a remarkable leader in the corporate realm. In 2017, she achieved a major milestone by becoming the first Latina CEO of a Fortune 200 company, PG&E Corporation. Under her direction, PG&E took major steps in sustainability initiatives, such as investing heavily in renewable energy sources and decreasing its carbon footprint. Williams is a member of the Supervisory Board of Siemens Energy, Chair of the Board of Directors of Osmose Utility Services, member of Artera Services Board of Directors and a trustee of the Bipartisan Policy Centre and the University of Miami. She is also a member of the Salesforce Global Advisory Board.
Carly Fiorina
Carly Fiorina is a renowned American businesswoman and politician who has made a lasting mark on history. In 1999, Carly Fiorina made history as the first female executive to be chosen to lead a Fortune Top 20 company when she was appointed as the CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HP). During her tenure, she worked diligently to devise and implement strategies for reviving HP's business operations. Fiorina has also consulted various government agencies and non-profit organizations and is a philanthropist dedicated to promoting education and entrepreneurial ventures. Not to mention,she is a breast cancer survivor!
CEO, Best Buy
CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Former CEO, PG&E Corporation
Former CEO, Hewlett-Packard
Roshini Nadar
Roshni Nadar is an Indian businesswoman and philanthropist who serves as the Chairperson of HCL Technologies, a multinational IT services company. Under Nadar's leadership, HCL Technologies has become one of the largest and most successful IT services companies in India, with a global presence and a reputation for innovation and customer service. Nadar is also actively involved in several philanthropic initiatives and has established the Shiv Nadar Foundation, which supports education and healthcare initiatives in India. In addition to her business and philanthropic work, Roshni Nadar is also a trained classical musician.
Sharmistha Dubey
Sharmistha Dubey is an Indian-American businesswoman who served as the CEO of Match Group, which owns online dating platforms like Tinder, Match, OkCupid, Hinge and other online dating platforms. Her journey with the Match Group began in 2006, when she handled multiple roles. She was made the Chief Operating Officer of Tinder in 2017. Dubey is known for her expertise in digital transformation, innovation, and growth strategy, and has been recognized for her contributions to the technology industry.
Carol B. Tomé
Carol B. Tomé is an American businesswoman who is best known for her role as the CEO of UPS, a global logistics company. She has held executive roles with various companies, and her financial understanding and ability to lead strategically have been widely recognized. Tomé was CFO at Home Depot for over a decade and engaged in various philanthropic activities. In addition, she is also known for her focus on innovation and sustainability, and has prioritized these issues during her time at UPS. She is an avid hiker and enjoys spending time in the outdoors.
Zia Mody
Zia Mody is an Indian lawyer and corporate law expert who is known for her expertise in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and corporate governance. She is the founder and managing partner of AZB & Partners, one of the leading law firms in India, which she established in 2004. She is also known for her contributions to the development of corporate law in India, and has been involved in several initiatives aimed at promoting good corporate governance and responsible business practices. As for her personal preferences, Mody loves travelling and her favorite holiday destination is Kenya. When it comes to street food, her favorite is Pav Bhaji.
Chairperson, HCL Technologies
Former CEO, Match Group
CEO, UPS
Founder & Managing Partner,
AZB & Partners
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Susan Wojcicki
Susan Wojcicki is an American technology executive who is best known for being the CEO of YouTube. She joined Google in 1998 as its 16th employee and was instrumental in the development of Google's advertising and AdSense platforms, which have become some of the most successful online advertising tools in the world. She is also credited with helping to acquire several key companies for Google, including YouTube, which Google bought for $1.65 billion in 2006.
Vandana Luthra
Vandana Luthra is an Indian businesswoman and founder of VLCC Health Care Ltd, a leading wellness and beauty services company. Luthra started her career as a nutritionist, and later went on to establish VLCC in 1989. Under Luthra's leadership, VLCC has become one of the most recognized and trusted wellness brands in India, with a presence in over 150 cities worldwide. She is known for her focus on innovation, quality, and customer service, and has been recognized with several awards and honors for her contributions to the industry, including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors.