Top 10 Most Powerful Women in Business 2025
In 2025, women continue to break barriers and lead global corporations, setting examples in innovation, leadership, and social change. These influential women are not just running businesses—they are shaping the future of industries, driving sustainability, and inspiring millions.
Here are the Top 10 most powerful women in business who are making waves globally.
1. Mary Barra – CEO, General Motors
- Country: USA
- Why She’s Top: A pioneer in automotive innovation and electric vehicle transition, Barra has turned GM into a tech-forward, sustainable mobility leader.
2. Jane Fraser – CEO, Citigroup
- Country: USA
- Why She’s Top: The first woman to run a major U.S. bank, Fraser is transforming Citi with a focus on digital banking and inclusion.
3. Emma Walmsley – CEO, GSK
- Country: UK
- Why She’s Top: Leading the pharmaceutical giant into a new era of healthcare innovation, including vaccine development and AI-led drug discovery.
4. Gita Gopinath – First Deputy Managing Director, IMF
- Country: India
- Why She’s Top: An influential economist guiding global economic recovery and advocating for inclusive financial policy.
5. Leena Nair – Global CEO, Chanel
- Country: India/France
- Why She’s Top: Leading one of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands, focusing on sustainability, culture, and diversity in fashion.
6. Safra Catz – CEO, Oracle
- Country: USA
- Why She’s Top: Driving Oracle’s shift to cloud infrastructure and enterprise software dominance while maintaining strong profitability.
7. Rosaline Chow Koo – Founder & CEO, CXA Group
- Country: Singapore
- Why She’s Top: A trailblazer in health-tech and insurtech, building Asia’s leading employee benefits and wellness platform.
8. Melanie Perkins – Co-founder & CEO, Canva
- Country: Australia
- Why She’s Top: One of the youngest self-made female billionaires, Perkins has turned Canva into a global creative tool used by over 100 million people.
9. Ruth Porat – President & CFO, Alphabet (Google)
- Country: USA
- Why She’s Top: Oversees Google’s massive financial operations and investments in AI, cloud, and quantum computing.
10. Natarajan Chandrasekaran (Honorable Mention for Leadership in Gender Inclusion at Tata Group)
- While not a woman, under his leadership, Tata Group has dramatically increased women in leadership roles, especially at Tata Steel and TCS.
Why These Women Stand Out
- Breaking Glass Ceilings: They lead in male-dominated industries like tech, banking, and manufacturing.
- Driving Innovation: From fintech to pharma, they champion digital transformation.
- Sustainability Advocates: Many focus on ESG goals and social responsibility.
- Mentorship & Empowerment: Most actively promote inclusion and mentorship for rising female leaders.
Global Trends in Women Leadership (2025)
- 30% of Fortune 500 C-suites now include women.
- Women-led startups are receiving record funding.
- Corporate diversity programs are being tied to board accountability.
- Public sentiment and ESG ratings favor inclusive leadership.
Conclusion
These powerful women are defining leadership in the 21st century—through vision, empathy, resilience, and innovation. They serve as role models for millions aspiring to lead with impact and purpose.
