Forbes USA has unveiled its annual list of the 100 most powerful women globally, spotlighting a mix of influential leaders across politics, business, and philanthropy. Collectively, these women wield a staggering $33 trillion in economic power and impact the lives of over 1 billion people. The list reflects the immense influence of those who have long held key positions of authority and continue to navigate the complex challenges of leadership.
As expected, the roster includes fewer representatives from the realms of business and technology than from politics and public service. This year’s youngest entrant, 22-year-old athlete Caitlin Clark, secured the 100th spot for her groundbreaking role in bringing global attention to women’s sports in 2024.
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The top ten remains a familiar lineup, with names such as Christine Lagarde, Melinda French Gates, and Ursula von der Leyen continuing to dominate. These women have consistently played pivotal roles in shaping global politics, economics, and philanthropy.
Notably, AMD CEO Lisa Su ranks 26th this year, earning recognition not only as the most effective leader in the tech sector but also as one of the most impactful CEOs overall. Her transformative leadership has seen AMD’s stock soar nearly 40-fold since she took the helm in 2014. Acknowledging her achievements, Time named her “CEO of the Year,” featuring her on their cover. Su now stands ready to challenge Nvidia in the rapidly evolving AI sector—a battle that holds personal significance as Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, is a distant relative of hers.
While these accomplishments are laudable, the Reykjavík Index, which measures public confidence in female leadership across G7 countries, paints a concerning picture. It highlights a decline in trust toward women in both business and political leadership roles. “Support for female leadership won’t materialize simply because we assume history will naturally trend toward equality,” says Michelle Harrison, founder of the index. “Women face regressive forces that make both attaining and maintaining power increasingly challenging.”
Despite these headwinds, many on the list are pushing back against such barriers. In May, Malina Ngai debuted at No. 75 after becoming the Group CEO of AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer. Melinda French Gates, meanwhile, climbed to No. 8 after pledging $1 billion over the next two years to advance women’s leadership worldwide.
The methodology behind Forbes’ rankings relies on four key metrics: financial resources, media visibility, impact, and scope of influence. For political leaders, GDP and population size were pivotal factors, while for corporate executives, company revenues, valuations, and workforce size played a crucial role. Media mentions and social reach were evaluated for all candidates, resulting in a list that encapsulates unparalleled influence across finance, technology, media, and beyond.
As Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said during a Forbes event earlier this year: “Women deserve equity and equal opportunity because they’ve already earned it—through knowledge, education, and exemplary leadership.”
In a world where progress often feels uneven, these 100 women stand as powerful examples of resilience and vision, leading by policy and by example.
