By Felicity Morgan, Senior Business Correspondent
On May 20, 2025, Fortune revealed its 28th annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Business, celebrating the female executives who are transforming industries and redefining modern corporate leadership.
This year’s honorees include women from a wide array of sectors such as finance, healthcare, technology, retail, and manufacturing. With over half of the list comprising executives from the United States and the rest hailing from 19 countries across five continents, the 2025 edition underscores both global influence and expanding opportunities for women in top-tier business roles.
Top Executives Lead With Vision
Among the top 10 women recognized are some of the most respected names in the corporate world. General Motors CEO Mary Barra leads the ranking, followed closely by Julie Sweet of Accenture, Jane Fraser of Citigroup, and Karen Lynch of CVS Health.
These women are known not only for their financial acumen and organizational leadership but also for the cultural changes they have championed within their firms. Whether it’s driving digital transformation, advancing sustainability initiatives, or championing workplace equity, these leaders have consistently pushed their industries forward.
Expanding Roles and New Faces
The 2025 list includes 16 newcomers, many of whom have made headlines for their innovative strategies and operational resilience. Among them is Claudine Adamo, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Merchant at Costco, whose efforts to stabilize essential goods pricing during inflation have been widely lauded. Julie Gao, the CFO of ByteDance, also makes a debut, recognized for navigating complex global markets and regulatory challenges.
The presence of newer leaders reflects a shifting business landscape where agility, cross-functional leadership, and global outlook are becoming as critical as traditional executive experience.
Global Reach and Representation
This year’s honorees come from a wide array of countries, highlighting the breadth of women’s impact on global business. Executives from China, the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Singapore, and Australia are prominently featured, demonstrating a growing recognition of female leadership on every continent.
This international spread affirms the ongoing evolution of boardrooms around the world, which are becoming more inclusive and diverse. The business community increasingly acknowledges that gender diversity in leadership contributes to better decision-making, stronger financial performance, and enhanced innovation.
The Rise of the CFO
An emerging trend is the prominence of Chief Financial Officers. Increasingly, CFOs are not just number crunchers—they’re central strategic leaders within organizations. Leaders like Susan Li of Meta, Colette Kress of Nvidia, and Anat Ashkenazi of Alphabet are among those recognized for their broader impact on corporate strategy and innovation.
These financial executives are now often involved in key decisions involving AI integration, sustainability investment, and global market expansion, proving that the CFO role is pivotal in shaping a company’s future.
Empowering the Next Generation
As more women ascend to senior roles, their visibility is reshaping expectations across industries. Recognitions like Fortune’s annual list not only honor achievement but also send a powerful message to aspiring female professionals worldwide: leadership at the highest levels is both attainable and transformative.
With companies increasingly valuing diverse perspectives and inclusive governance, the future of corporate leadership looks more balanced—and more dynamic—than ever before.