Forbes’ 2022 list of the world's 100 most powerful women, released this month, is an impressive and inspiring compilation of influential, talented, and trailblazing individuals. Women, who have long fought for equal representation in leadership roles, make up a notable 26% of the list. From Ursula von der Leyen ,President, European Commission, European Union to Melinda French Gates, Cochair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, these women are some of the most successful and powerful in the world. Representing a wide variety of industries, they each hold positions of immense influence and serve as an inspiration to many women, both in and out of the workplace. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top 15 inspiring women who made their space in Forbes’ 2022 list of the world's 100 most powerful Women.
Blog Flow:
1- Ursula von der Leyen -President, European Commission, European Union
2- Christine Lagarde- President, European Central Bank
3. Kamala Harris- Vice President, United States
4. Mary Barra- CEO, General Motors
5. Abigail Johnson- CEO, Fidelity Investments
6. Melinda French Gates- Cochair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
7. Giorgia Meloni- Prime Minister, Italy
8. Karen Lynch- CEO, CVS Health
9. Julie Sweet- Chair & CEO, Accenture
10. Jane Fraser- CEO, Citigroup
11. MacKenzie Scott- Philanthropist
12. Kristalina Georgieva- Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
13. Rosalind Brewer- CEO, Walgreens
14. Emma Walmsley- CEO, GlaxoSmithKline
15. Ana Patricia Botín - Executive Chairman, Santander
From politicians and business executives to humanitarians and celebrities, women have been making waves in the world of powerful individuals. Forbes’ 2022 list of the world’s 100 most powerful women is a true testament to this, featuring a diverse selection of women from all corners of the globe. From the United States to the United Kingdom, and from Asia to Africa, these incredible women are at the top of their respective fields, leading the way in a variety of industries. Whether it’s through their groundbreaking work in government, their tireless efforts to bring awareness to social issues, or their ground-breaking achievements in business, these women are pushing boundaries and inspiring others with their success. Let’s take a closer look at who these powerful women are and what they have accomplished.
Money, media, impact, and spheres of influence were the four key measures that were used to compile the ranking. Gross domestic product and population were taken into consideration when evaluating political leaders. Revenues and employee counts were considered when evaluating corporate leaders. A group of women who are challenging the status quo is the end outcome.
For now, Think With Niche has chosen to introduce you to the top 15 powerful women from the list of 100 most powerful women, we will be adding more women to this list soon.
AGE; 64
LOCATION : Belgium
CATEGORY: Politics & Policy
German politician Ursula von der Leyen, née Ursula Albrecht, was born in Brussels, Belgium, on October 8, 1958. She was the first woman to hold the position of minister of defense in Germany (2013–19). She was chosen as the first woman president of the European Commission in July 2019.
Ernst Albrecht, a German politician who had previously held the position of chief of cabinet at the European Economic Community Commission, was the father of Ursula. She pursued economics studies between 1977–1980 at the London School of Economics, the Universities of Göttingen and Münster, and other institutions, but she never received a degree. She chose to pursue medicine instead, and she got her degree from Hanover Medical School in Germany in 1987. She received a degree in medicine in 1991 and worked as an assistant physician at the MHH's gynaecological clinic from 1988 to 1992. She resided in the US from 1992 to 1996 while her husband, Heiko von der Leyen, worked as a professor at Stanford University.
In 1996, Ursula von der Leyen whose father had been the federal state's governor (1976–90) became involved in politics in Lower Saxony after joining the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in 1990.
Von der Leyen became the first woman to occupy the defence portfolio in December 2013, and she was considered by some to be Merkel's potential successor.
AGE; 66
LOCATION : Germany
CATEGORY: Politics & Policy
Christine Lagarde is a French politician and lawyer who presently heads the European Central Bank (ECB). She is the first female IMF head in the organization's history and the first woman to serve as finance minister of a G-7 nation. In 2019, Forbes ranked her as the 22nd most powerful person in the world and the 2nd most powerful woman.
Lagarde, who was educated by two language instructors, is a trailblazer for women in global finance and policymaking. She was born in Paris, France, on January 1, 1956. She attended Holton Arms School in Bethesda and finished high school in Le Havre (Maryland, USA).
She is proficient in French, English, and Spanish and competed on the French national synchronised swimming team as a teenager. She graduated with a law degree from Paris X Nanterre University and a master's degree in political science from the Political Science Institute in Aix en Provence.
She resigned from her job as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after being nominated for the ECB role. She was serving her second five-year term and had held the position since July 5, 2011.
Lagarde started her career as an associate at the Baker McKenzie Paris office in Paris, where she focused on labour, antitrust, and mergers and acquisitions. By the age of 31, she had become a partner, and by the age of 43, she had been appointed as the first female chair of the global firm.
AGE; 58
LOCATION : United States
CATEGORY: Politics & Policy
As the first woman and the first woman of colour to assume the position of vice president in the United States, Kamala Harris has made history. However, Harris has overcome obstacles throughout her career as a former U.S. senator and attorney general of California. Here are some facts about Vice President Kamala Harris that you should be aware of, including her political and personal background as well as her position on important issues.
On October 20, 1964, Kamala Devi Harris was born in Oakland, California. Her mother, Shyamala, left India and went on to become a well-known breast cancer researcher. Donald, her father, a professor of economics at Stanford University, moved to the United States from Jamaica.
Harris had a dream of becoming a lawyer when she was a student at Westmount High School. She entered Howard University in Washington, D.C. after graduating and received a B.A. in political science and economics there.
As the deputy district attorney for sex offences in Alameda County, California, Harris started her professional career. She then rose to the position of managing attorney for the San Francisco Career Criminal Unit and, in 2000, was appointed chief of the DA's office's San Francisco Community and Neighborhood Division, where she founded the first Bureau of Children's Justice for the state.
AGE: 60
LOCATION : United States
CATEGORY: Business
Since January 15, 2014, Mary Teresa Barra has served as General Motors' first female Chief Executive Officer (CEO). She is an American businesswoman. Following her appointment, Barra was ranked one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" by TIME in 2014 and the "Most Powerful Women" by Fortune in 2015. Mary Barra was born on December 24, 1961, in Michigan, the United States, and has Finnish descent. Anthony Barra, an engineering consultant, is Barra's husband. The Barras have two kids: Rachel and Nicholas.
Paul Makela, her brother, is the St. Mary Mercy Hospital's Director of Gynecological Robotic Surgery. Waterford Mott High School was where Mary Barra studied. After completing her high school education at Waterford Mott, she enrolled in Kettering University in 1985 to pursue a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.
She began her career as a plant engineer at the Pontiac Motor Division in Flint, Michigan, when she was 18 years old. Her father Ray Makela also worked for Pontiac for nearly 40 years. She later completed an MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) in 1990 with financial assistance from GM. She has also been a part of Tau Beta Pi, the oldest engineering honour society.
AGE; 60
LOCATION : United States
CATEGORY: Money
Abigail Johnson, the first woman to lead Fidelity Investments, has led the way for women across industries. After taking the reins of one of the largest investment firms in the world in 2017, Johnson has taken steps to diversify the company’s staff, bringing many talented women on board. Under her leadership, Fidelity has added more women to senior ranks and launched a new initiative focused on encouraging young people to pursue a career in the financial sector. Johnson has also been generous in her philanthropic efforts, serving on the board of the Massachusetts General Hospital, joining the Giving Pledge and donating $50 million to Harvard. Johnson is a true role model for women in the business world.
AGE; 58
LOCATION : United States
CATEGORY: Philanthropy
Melinda Gates, cochair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been making headlines for her incredible work in the philanthropic sector. Gates has been leading the Foundation’s work to eradicate diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, for years. In 2017, Gates brought her philanthropic efforts to new heights by partnering with one of the world’s largest tech companies, Amazon, to launch a new healthcare venture that will provide more affordable and accessible healthcare to people in need. Gates’ work with the Foundation has been recognized by numerous awards, such as the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Award and the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award.
AGE; 45
LOCATION : Italy
CATEGORY: Politics & Policy
As Prime Minister of Italy, GiorgiaMeloni is one of the most powerful women in politics today. Meloni has served as the leader of the right-wing party Brothers of Italy since 2008. In 2018, she became Prime Minister of Italy after her party secured the most votes in the country’s election. Meloni is the first woman to lead Italy in more than 50 years. In addition to her political endeavors, Meloni has dedicated herself to social causes, such as the fight against human trafficking and child labor. Meloni is an inspiration to women across the globe and a prime example of how one can rise above adversity to lead a country.
AGE; 58
LOCATION : United States
CATEGORY: Business
As CEO of CVS Health, Karen Lynch has been making waves in the healthcare sector. Under her leadership, the drugstore chain has made a significant investment in healthcare services, including a partnership with Aetna to provide more affordable healthcare. Lynch has also been committed to increasing the number of women in leadership positions within the company, particularly in the areas of pharmacy and health management. CVS Health has been a leader in the retail sector for years and is poised for even more success under Lynch’s leadership.
AGE; 55
LOCATION : United State
CATEGORY: Business
As the Chair and CEO of Accenture, Julie Sweet has managed to achieve incredible things in her career. Sweet has spent decades leading the tech giant and has played a leading role in shaping the company’s vision for the future. In recent years, Sweet has led Accenture’s efforts to transform the company into a leading digital services provider. Accenture has been at the forefront of the digital revolution, with Sweet at the helm. The company has become a trusted advisor to many of the world’s leading organizations and has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For.
AGE; 55
LOCATION : United States
CATEGORY: Finance
As the CEO of Citigroup, Jane Fraser has been leading one of the world’s largest financial services organizations. Fraser has been at the helm of Citigroup for more than six years, leading the company through a financial crisis and a major restructuring. In recent years, Citigroup has been at the forefront of innovation in financial services, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. Fraser has also been dedicated to supporting the next generation of women in business, serving as the Chair of Women in Finance and the Co-Chair of Women in Financial Services.
AGE; 52
LOCATION : United States
CATEGORY: Impact
As a philanthropist and activist, MacKenzie Scott has been making an impact on the world through her charitable efforts. A former model, Scott has dedicated her life to helping others and has been passionate about bringing water to millions who don’t have access to it. Scott is the founder of Thirst, an organization focused on bringing clean water to those in need. Her work has been recognized at the highest levels, earning her awards from the likes of Forbes and Time. Scott has also made a significant impact in the fashion industry, founding Fashion Delivers, a social enterprise that has helped deliver over 4.5 million pounds of donated clothing to people in need.
AGE; 69
LOCATION : United States
CATEGORY: Politics & Policy
A trailblazer in both politics and the world of business, Kristalina Georgieva has made an incredible impact on the global stage. Georgieva has served as the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund since 2016. Georgieva is the first woman and first non-economist to be appointed to the position. The position also makes her the highest ranking woman at the IMF. Georgieva has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the European Investment Bank and Vice President at the World Bank. In addition to her work in politics and business, Georgieva has been a champion for women and children across the globe.
AGE; 59
LOCATION : United States
CATEGORY: Business
Rosalind Brewer, the CEO of Walgreens, has been making waves in the health sector. Brewer has used her leadership position to create a healthier environment for both customers and employees, bringing fresh food and organic produce to Walgreens stores, improving the health of millions. Brewer has also been a staunch advocate for women in business and has been passionate about bringing more women into executive leadership roles. Brewer has served as a mentor to many aspiring women in business, helping them reach their full potential.
AGE; 53
LOCATION : United Kingdom
CATEGORY: Business
As the CEO of GlaxoSmithKline, Emma Walmsley has been leading one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. Walmsley has been at the helm of GSK since 2017, having previously served as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer. Under Walmsley’s leadership, GSK has been committed to making healthcare more accessible and affordable for millions of people around the globe. Walmsley has also been dedicated to increasing the amount of women in leadership positions at GSK, making sure that women have the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
AGE; 62
LOCATION : Spain
CATEGORY: Finance
Ana Botin, Executive Chairman of the Santander Group, is undoubtedly the most powerful woman in banking, and this claim is not hyperbolic. She was one of just six women to lead a Fortune Global 100 company when she assumed the position in 2014, making her history as the first woman to chair a global financial organization. She had a $150 million net worth a year later, and she topped Fortune's list of the most powerful women outside of the US last year.
Of course, leading a worldwide giant is no easy task. Santander currently has more than 100 million customers worldwide and an estimated $89.4 billion in market capitalization.
However, allegations of nepotism have occasionally cast a shadow over her accomplishments as the fourth generation of the Botin family to head the Spanish bank, undermining the steely reserve with which she now leads the global business and with which she helped transform the bank's UK arm, once termed "Britain's worst bank" in numerous customer satisfaction surveys, into a success story.
Conclusion
Women have always been powerful, but they are especially so in the modern era. From business executives to government leaders, women have come a long way in a short amount of time. In the next decade, we can expect even more women to rise to the top and break new ground. This is a great time for women.