The 2024 Fortune 100 Most Powerful People in Business list features 18 women who have earned their place among the world’s top leaders. This milestone is more than just a statistic—it’s a testament to the ongoing efforts to achieve gender equality in corporate leadership. These women, from various sectors like finance, technology, healthcare, and retail, are reshaping industries, driving growth, and leading major corporations across the globe.
Women’s Growing Influence in Business Leadership
Despite significant progress, gender imbalance in corporate leadership remains a challenge. The number of women on the Fortune 100 list still lags behind, which underscores the hurdles they face in ascending to the highest echelons of power. But these 18 women are breaking barriers and reshaping industries, proving that women belong in top leadership roles.
Here’s a look at these 18 remarkable women and the impact they are making.
1. Mary Barra – Chair and CEO, General Motors
Since becoming CEO in 2014, Mary Barra has transformed General Motors into a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Under her leadership, GM has not only restructured its product lines but has also positioned itself for future growth with a goal to produce 1 million EVs annually by 2025. Barra’s vision is helping GM stay ahead in a rapidly changing automotive landscape.
Key achievements:
- Increased GM’s revenue to $171.8 billion, marking a 10% rise.
- Focused on EV production and sustainability goals.
- Led GM through crucial negotiations with the United Auto Workers, ensuring a fair resolution to strikes.
2. Jane Fraser – CEO, Citigroup
Jane Fraser, the first woman to lead a major Wall Street bank, is spearheading Citigroup through a period of transformation. Since taking the helm in 2021, Fraser has streamlined the bank’s operations and focused on driving growth through a digital-first approach.
Key achievements:
- Reorganized Citigroup and sold nine of its international consumer franchises.
- Led the bank through a regulatory fine of $135.6 million but still reported growth.
3. Julie Sweet – CEO, Accenture
As the CEO of Accenture, Julie Sweet is steering one of the world’s largest consulting firms. Accenture’s commitment to embracing new technologies like AI has propelled it forward, with $64.9 billion in revenue for fiscal 2024. Sweet is also driving the company’s expansion into the AI space, making bold moves in generative AI technology.
Key achievements:
- Generated $3 billion in generative AI bookings in fiscal 2024.
- Focused on diversity and driving innovation in the consulting space.
4. Emma Walmsley – CEO, GSK
At the helm of GSK, Emma Walmsley is driving growth in the healthcare sector with products like the Arexvy RSV vaccine, which generated $1.6 billion in sales. Walmsley’s leadership has put GSK on the map as a powerhouse in global healthcare innovation.
Key achievements:
- GSK reported $37.5 billion in revenue for 2023, a 3.4% increase.
- Launched the Arexvy RSV vaccine and saw massive success.
5. Safra Catz – CEO, Oracle
Since becoming CEO in 2014, Safra Catz has transformed Oracle into a major player in the cloud computing space. Under her leadership, Oracle has formed strategic alliances with Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services, enabling customers to integrate Oracle’s cloud products seamlessly across platforms.
Key achievements:
- Increased Oracle’s quarterly revenue by 7% to $13.3 billion.
- Expanded Oracle’s footprint in AI through new partnerships and deals, including with OpenAI.
6. Lisa Su – Chair and CEO, AMD
Lisa Su is leading AMD into new areas, including gaming and high-performance computing. Under her leadership, AMD has become a fierce competitor to Nvidia in the AI chip market, positioning itself for growth in the tech industry.
Key achievements:
- Recorded $22.7 billion in revenue in 2023.
- Made significant strides in the AI chip market.
7. Daniella Amodei – Co-Founder and President, Anthropic
As Co-Founder and President of Anthropic, Daniella Amodei is at the forefront of ethical AI development. The company, valued at $40 billion, is competing head-to-head with OpenAI and Google in the AI space.
Key achievements:
- Secured $6 billion in funding from Amazon and Google.
- Developed the Claude chatbot, a direct competitor to ChatGPT.
8. Grace Wang – Co-Founder, Luxshare Precision Industry
Grace Wang, co-founder of Luxshare Precision Industry, has grown the company into a significant manufacturer of Apple products. With revenues hitting $32.8 billion in 2023, Wang is positioning Luxshare to compete with Foxconn in the tech supply chain industry.
9. Carol Tomé – CEO, UPS
Since taking charge of UPS in 2020, Carol Tomé has helped the company expand into healthcare logistics and maintain its competitive edge against rivals like Amazon and FedEx. Her leadership has resulted in strong revenue growth, and UPS now aims for $20 billion in healthcare logistics revenue.
Key achievements:
- Expanded UPS’s revenue streams, including healthcare logistics.
- Acquired Happy Returns, enhancing UPS’s technology services.
10. Gail Boudreaux – CEO, Elevance Health
Gail Boudreaux is leading Elevance Health (formerly Anthem) through a period of diversification and growth. Elevance has increased its revenue by 9.3%, generating $170 billion in 2023 and focusing on improving access to healthcare services.
11. Abigail Johnson – Chair and CEO, Fidelity Investments
Under Abigail Johnson, Fidelity Investments has innovated in financial services with new products, including a Bitcoin ETF. Her leadership has helped Fidelity maintain its position as a key player in the investment management industry.
12. Thasunda Brown Duckett – CEO, TIAA
Thasunda Brown Duckett leads TIAA, overseeing $1.3 trillion in assets. Duckett has a strong focus on promoting financial literacy and closing the racial wealth gap, especially in retirement savings.
13. Ana Patricia Botín – Executive Chair, Banco Santander
Ana Patricia Botín is leading Banco Santander into new markets, including digital consumer offerings. Her leadership has seen the bank become one of the most profitable in Europe.
14. Helen Wong – CEO, OCBC
Helen Wong is the first woman to lead OCBC, one of Singapore’s largest banks. Under her leadership, OCBC has thrived, recording significant wealth inflows and profits.
15. Mellody Hobson – Co-CEO, Ariel Investments
Mellody Hobson is co-CEO of Ariel Investments, one of the first Black-owned mutual fund companies in the U.S. She has been instrumental in promoting diversity and inclusion in finance.
16. Catherine MacGregor – CEO, ENGIE
Catherine MacGregor is steering ENGIE towards renewable energy, ensuring the company remains a leader in the energy infrastructure sector while aiming for carbon neutrality by 2045.
17. Phebe Novakovic – Chair and CEO, General Dynamics
Phebe Novakovic has led General Dynamics to significant growth in the aerospace and defense sectors, securing contracts worth billions for the U.S. government.
18. Tricia Griffith – CEO, Progressive Corporation
Under Tricia Griffith, Progressive Corporation has grown significantly, embracing data analytics and technology to enhance customer experience and streamline operations.
Conclusion
These 18 women have proven their leadership abilities, driving innovation and growth across various industries. While challenges still exist, the inclusion of women in leadership roles is paving the way for future generations. As these women continue to shape global markets, their success serves as inspiration for others striving for equality in the corporate world.
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Photo credit: Inc. Magazine, Business Day
