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List of women in leadership facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This article is about amazing women who are leaders in different fields around the world. These women have achieved great things in business, politics, and other areas, showing what's possible when you work hard and lead with vision. They come from many countries and have made a big impact.

Contents

Africa's Leading Women

Kenya's Influential Women

  • Vivienne Yeda Apopo is a banker. She is a top director at the East African Development Bank.
  • Gina Din (born 1961) is a businesswoman. She works in public relations and communication.
  • Tabitha Karanja (born 1964) is an entrepreneur. She is the CEO of Keroche Breweries.
  • Stella Kilonzo (born 1975) used to be the CEO of Kenya's Capital Markets Authority. She now works at the African Development Bank.

Morocco's Business Leaders

Namibia's Notable Women

  • Clara Bohitile (born 1955) is a politician and businesswoman. She chairs the Meat Corporation of Namibia.
  • Monica Nashandi (born 1959) is a former diplomat and politician. She was once the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
  • Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi (born 1958) was a government minister. She also managed a big mining company called Namdeb.

Nigeria's Top Achievers

  • Olajumoke Adenowo (born 1968) is an architect and businesswoman. She leads an oil and gas company and founded AD Consulting.
  • Folorunsho Alakija (born 1951) is a very successful businesswoman. She works in fashion, oil, and printing.
  • Folake Coker (born 1974) is a fashion designer. She started her own brand, Tiffany Amber.
  • Uche Eze (born 1983) is a social media expert and entrepreneur. She founded the online magazine BellaNaija.
  • Kehinde Kamson (born 1961) is an entrepreneur. She started and leads the fast food company Sweet Sensation Confectionery.
  • Abibatu Mogaji (1917–2013) was a powerful business leader. She was the President-General of Nigerian market women and men.
  • Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli (born 1975) is a social entrepreneur. She helped start a food processing company. She also founded LEAD Africa, which helps people become business leaders.
  • Bola Shagaya (born 1959) is a businesswoman. She manages Practoil and is on the board of Unity Bank.

Sierra Leone's Leaders

  • Isha Johansen has been the president of the Sierra Leone Football Association since 2013.

South Africa's Inspiring Women

  • Judy Dlamini (born 1959) is a businesswoman and author. She is the Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand. She also founded the Mbekani Group.
  • Mpho Tshivhase (born 1986) is a philosopher at the University of Pretoria.

Uganda's Innovators

Asia-Pacific's Female Leaders

Afghanistan's Trailblazers

Australia's Prominent Figures

  • Rosie Batty (born 1962) was named Australian of the Year in 2015.
  • Julie Bishop (born 1956) was the foreign minister starting in 2013.
  • Jillian Broadbent (born 1948) is a business executive. She is on the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
  • Elizabeth Broderick was Australia's Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner.
  • Dame Quentin Alice Louise Bryce (born 1942) was the Governor-General of Australia from 2008 to 2014.
  • Ita Buttrose (born 1942) is a journalist and businesswoman. She was an editor and is now President of Alzheimers Australia.
  • Kate Carnell (born 1955) was the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory. She is also the CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  • Kathryn Fagg is a well-known businesswoman. She is on the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
  • Julia Gillard (born 1961) was the prime minister from 2010 to 2013.
  • Kay Goldsworthy (born 1956) is the Archbishop of Perth in the Anglican Church.
  • Carolyn Hewson is a prominent businesswoman.
  • Cindy Hook is the CEO of Deloitte Australia.
  • Catherine Livingstone (born 1955) chaired the Business Council of Australia in 2014.
  • Tanya Plibersek (born 1969) is a politician. She has been a Cabinet Minister.
  • Heather Ridout (born 1954) is a businesswoman. She chairs Australian Super and is on the Reserve Bank board.
  • Gina Rinehart (born 1954) is a mining leader. She chairs Hancock Prospecting.
  • Gillian Triggs (born 1945) is the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission.
  • Alison Watkins is the CEO of Coca-Cola Amatil Australia.
  • Jennifer Westacott is the CEO of the Business Council of Australia.

China's Powerful Women

  • Margaret Chan (born 1947) is a health specialist from Hong Kong. She was the director-general of the World Health Organization.
  • Dong Mingzhu is a business executive. She is the president of Gree Electric.
  • Ping Fu is a Chinese-American entrepreneur. She founded Geomagic.
  • Liu Chaoying (born 1950s) was an executive at China Aerospace International Holdings. She was also a Lt. Col in the People's Liberation Army.
  • Peng Lei is a co-founder and executive of Alibaba Group.
  • Zihan Ling is an entrepreneur. She supports gender equality and founded Techbase in 2015.
  • Sheng Aiyi (1900–1983) was an entertainment entrepreneur. She managed Shanghai BaiLeMen.
  • Yang Huiyan (born 1981) owns most shares in the Country Garden Holdings property group.
  • Yang Lan (born 1986) is a co-founder and chair of Sun Media Group.
  • Peggy Yu (born 1965) co-founded Dangdang, an online store.
  • Zhang Xin (born 1965) is a business executive. She co-founded and leads the real estate company SOHO China.
  • Zhang Yin (born 1957) founded and directs Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited.
  • Kelly Zong (born 1982) is an executive and purchasing manager for the Hangzhou Wahaha beverage group.

Hong Kong's Business Leaders

  • Sally Aw (born 1926) owned newspapers until 1959.
  • Flora Cheong-Leen (born 1959) is a business executive in fashion.
  • Pollyanna Chu is an executive with interests in finance and real estate.
  • Lydia Dunn, Baroness Dunn (born 1940) was a business executive and politician. She held senior positions until 1995.
  • Kwong Siu-hing (born 1929) has controlling interests in Sun Hung Kai Properties.
  • Michelle Sun is an entrepreneur. She founded First Code Academy in 2013.
  • Yvonne Lui (born 1977) is a business executive. She is on the board of several companies.
  • Annie Wu is a businesswoman. She founded Beijing Air Catering and is involved in other food service ventures.

India's Leading Women

  • Anuradha Acharya (born 1972) is an entrepreneur. She founded and leads Ocimum Bio Solutions.
  • Vinita Bali (born 1955) is the CEO of the food products company Britannia Industries.
  • Avani Davda (born circa 1980) is the CEO of the joint venture between Starbucks and Tata Global Beverage.
  • Bala Deshpande is a senior managing director at New Enterprise Associates (India).
  • Nisa Godrej is an executive director of Godrej Consumer Products.
  • Shyamala Gopinath (born 1949) was a deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India. She chairs HDFC Bank.
  • Vandana Luthra (born 1959) is an entrepreneur. She founded VLCC Health Care Ltd.
  • Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (born 1953) is the chair and CEO of Biocon.
  • Megha Mittal (born 1976) is the chair and CEO of the German fashion firm Escada.
  • Sumati Morarjee (1907–1998) led the Scindia Steam Navigation Company.
  • Leena Nair (born 1969) is an executive director for HR at Hindustan Unilever.
  • Naveen Saini (born 1958) is a business executive. She was CEO of ICICI Prudential and is CEO of Oral Developers bank.
  • Sheila Sri Prakash (born 1955) founded Shilpa Architects. She is also a board member of Chennai Smart Cities Ltd.
  • Priya Paul (born 1967) is the Chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels.
  • Chitra Ramkrishna (born 1963) is the managing director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange of India.
  • Kirthiga Reddy (born c.1972) is a businesswoman. She is a director of sales at Facebook India.
  • Nicole Rodrigues-Larsen (born 1973) is a Dubai-based entrepreneur. She founded and manages modeling and talent agencies.
  • Usha Sangwan is a business executive. She is a managing director of Life Insurance Corporation of India.
  • Devita Saraf (born 1981) founded and leads Vu Technologies.
  • Ameera Shah (born 1979) is the CEO and Managing Director of Metropolis Healthcare.
  • Shikha Sharma (born 1958) is the managing director and CEO of Axis Bank.
  • Snehlata Shrivastava (born 1957) is a government administrator and business executive. She is on the board of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
  • Mallika Srinivasan (born 1959) is the chair and CEO of the TAFE farm equipment company.
  • Mercy Williams (c.1947–2014) was the first woman to be mayor of Kochi.

Indonesia's Influential Women

  • Karen Agustiawan (born 1958) was the managing director and CEO of the Pertamina oil and gas company.
  • Megawati Sukarnoputri (born 1947) was the President of Indonesia from 2001 to 2004.
  • Mooryati Soedibyo (born 1928) is a politician and entrepreneur. She founded Mustika Ratu cosmetics.
  • Sri Mulyani Indrawati (born 1962) was a Managing Director of the World Bank Group. She is also Indonesia's Minister of Finance.
  • Susi Pudjiastuti (born 1965) owns Susi Air. She is also Indonesia's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
  • Tri Rismaharini (born 1961) is a politician and the Mayor of Surabaya.

Israel's Leaders

  • Orit Adato (born 1955) was the first woman to reach a three-star rank in Israel.

Japan's Global Figures

  • Sadako Ogata (born 1927) was an international political leader. She was the first woman to head the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) from 1990 to 2000.
  • Fumiko Hayashi (born 1946) is a businessperson and politician. She was president of BMW Tokyo and CEO of Daiei Inc. She is also the Mayor of Yokohama.

Malaysia's Key Women

  • Yvonne Chia (born c.1953) is a business executive. She was CEO of Hong Leong Bank and now leads Shell Refining, Malaysia.
  • Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (born c.1952) is a politician. She was the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
  • Rafidah Aziz is a politician. She is the Chairman of AirAsia X.
  • Muhaini Mahmud is the Co-Founder of Kiddocare App.
  • Melissa Ngiam is the COO of Yayasan Generasi Gemilang (GG).
  • Jenn Low is the Founder of Wanderlust + Co.
  • Lovy Beh is a Director of BP Healthcare Group.
  • Raeesa Sya is the Founder of Orkid Cosmetics.

New Zealand's Influential Women

  • Jacinda Ardern (born 1980) is the Prime Minister of New Zealand. She was also President of the International Union of Socialist Youth.
  • Theresa Gattung is a business executive. She held senior positions at Bank of New Zealand and Telecom New Zealand.
  • Bronwen Holdsworth (born 1943) is a businesswoman and arts supporter. She chairs the Holdsworth Group, which has interests in farming and property.
  • Pauline Kumeroa Kingi (born 1951) is a Māori community leader.
  • Rosanne Meo is on the board of several companies, including television, energy, and finance.
  • Annette Presley (born 1964) is a telecommunications entrepreneur. She co-founded Slingshot.
  • Nicky Wagner (born 1953) is a politician and government minister.
  • Joan Withers is a business executive. She chairs Television New Zealand and Mercury Energy.

North Korea's Political Figures

  • Kim Kyong-hui (born 1946) was a member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Pakistan's Political Leaders

  • Benazir Bhutto (1953–2007) was the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
  • Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan (1924–2015) was a businessperson and politician. She chaired the Saif Group, a textile company.
  • Fahmida Mirza (born 1956) is a politician. She was the speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan.

Philippines' Key Women

Saudi Arabia's Visionaries

  • Nabilah al-Tunisi (born c.1959) is a general manager for Saudi Aramco, an oil and gas company.
  • Lubna Olayan (born 1955) is an influential businessperson. She is the CEO of the Olayan Financing Company.
  • Ameera al-Taweel (born 1983) is a princess and philanthropist. She is the vice chairperson of Alwaleed Philanthropies.

Singapore's Entrepreneurs

  • Jannie Chan is an entrepreneur. She is the president of the Singapore Retailers Association.
  • Jennie Chua is a businessperson. She co-founded Beeworks, Inc.
  • Fatimah binte Sulaiman (c.1754–c.1852) was a merchant and philanthropist.
  • Loke Cheng Kim (1895–1981) was a Malaysian-born businessperson. She owned the Ocean Park Hotel.
  • Olivia Lum founded and leads the Hyflux Group.
  • Saw Phaik Hwa (born 1957) was the president and CEO of SMRT Corporation.

South Korea's Business Innovators

  • Kim Sung-joo (born 1956) is an entrepreneur. She founded and leads Sungjoo Group. She also chairs MCM Holdings.

Sri Lanka's Advertising Leaders

Taiwan's Tech and Business Leaders

  • Nancy T. Chang (born 1950) is a biochemist. She co-founded the U.S. pharmaceutical company Tanox.
  • Eva Chen is a business executive. She co-founded and leads the Trend Micro security company.
  • Shenan Chuang is the CEO for Greater China at the Ogilvy & Mather advertising company.

Thailand's Economic Experts

  • Tarisa Watanagase (born 1949) is an economist. She was the governor of the Bank of Thailand.

United Arab Emirates' Business Leaders

  • Raja Al Gurg is an influential business executive. She is the managing director of Easa Saleh Al Gurg.

Europe's Leading Women

Andorra's Cultural Champions

  • Lídia Armengol i Vila (1948–1991) was a civil servant. She worked to bring back her country's historic language and culture.

Armenia's Property Investors

  • Matild Manukyan (1914–2001) was a leading property investor in Istanbul.

Austria's Business Figures

  • Evelyn Lauder (1936–2011) was an Austrian American business executive. She was a vice president of Estée Lauder Companies.
  • Nadja Swarovski (born 1970) is on the board of the Swarovski crystal company.

Belgium's Philanthropists and Editors

Croatia's Entrepreneurs

Czech Republic's Business Minds

  • Muriel Anton is an economist and business executive. She was the CEO of Vodafone, Czech Republic.
  • Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler (born 1941) co-owns the German Schaeffler Group, which makes bearings.

Denmark's Diverse Leaders

  • Stine Bosse (born 1960) is a business executive. She holds positions with several companies and is president of the Royal Danish Theatre.
  • Elsebeth Budolfsen (born 1947) is a pharmacist and business executive. She has held senior positions in important Danish companies.
  • Lene Espersen (born 1965) is a politician and business executive. She was a minister.
  • Hanni Toosbuy Kasprzak (born 1957) owns and chairs the ECCO shoe company.
  • Margrethe Vestager (born 1968) is a Danish politician. She is the European Commissioner for Competition.

Estonia's Entrepreneurs

Finland's Business Executives

  • Lenita Airisto (born 1937) is an influential business leader in culture and TV.
  • Anne Brunila (born 1957) is an executive vice president of Fortum.
  • Maija-Liisa Friman (born 1952) is a business executive. She serves on the board of several companies.
  • Jaana Tuominen (born 1960) is a business executive. She is the CEO of the Gustav Paulig coffee and cocoa company.

France's Influential Women

  • Catherine Barba (born 1973) is a business executive. She works in digital retail.
  • Patricia Barbizet (born 1955) holds various executive positions, including CEO of Christie's.
  • Liliane Bettencourt (1922–2017) was a prominent businesswoman. She was a top shareholder in L'Oréal.
  • Anne Bouverot (born 1966) is a business executive. She is CEO of Morpho and was on the board of the GSM Association.
  • Coco Chanel (1883–1971) founded the famous fashion house Chanel.
  • Madame Clicquot Ponsardin (1777–1866) owned and developed the champagne brand Veuve Clicquot.
  • Mercedes Erra (born 1954) is a business executive. She co-founded the BETC advertising agency.
  • Anne Lauvergeon (born 1959) was the CEO of the Areva energy group.
  • Laurence Parisot (born 1959) used to lead the MEDEF employers' union.
  • Ariane de Rothschild (born 1965) is a banker. She is vice president of Edmond de Rothschild Holding.
  • Corinne Vigreux (born 1964) is a business executive. She co-founded and manages the Dutch company TomTom.

Germany's Powerful Women

  • Kerstin Günther (born 1967) is a business executive. She holds senior positions in Deutsche Telekom Group.
  • Susanne Klatten (born 1962) is an influential board member and major shareholder of the chemicals manufacturer Altana.
  • Aygül Özkan (born 1971) is a politician. She was a minister in Lower Saxony.
  • Johanna Quandt (1926–2015) was the deputy chair of BMW.
  • Sybill Storz (born 1937) leads Karl Storz GmbH, a medical device company.
  • Angela Merkel (born 1954) was the Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021.

Greece's Business and Political Figures

  • Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki (born 1955) is a politician and businesswoman. She led the committee for the 2004 Summer Olympics bid.
  • Zoe Cruz (born 1955) is a Greek-American banking executive. She was a co-president of Morgan Stanley.
  • Angeliki Frangou is a shipowner. She chairs and leads Navios Maritime Holdings.
  • Helen Vlachos (1911–1995) owned newspapers and was an activist against the military junta.

Iceland's Business Leaders

  • Aslaug Magnusdottir is a business executive in the fashion industry. She is the CEO of Moda Operandi.
  • Svafa Grönfeldt was a vice president of Actavis. She is also the president of Reykjavik University.

Ireland's Entrepreneurs

  • Elaine Coughlan is a venture capitalist. She co-founded Atlantic Bridge Capital.
  • Eileen Gray (1878–1976) was a pioneer of modern architecture in Ireland.
  • Mary Guiney (1901–2004) was the chair of the Clerys department store.
  • Anne Heraty (born 1961) is the CEO of CPL Resources.
  • Aedhmar Hynes (born 1966) is a business executive. She is on several company boards.
  • Louise O'Sullivan (born 1973) is a telecommunications executive. She founded and leads Anam Technologies.

Israel's Business Leaders

  • Shari Arison (born 1957) is a businesswoman. She owns Arison Investments.
  • Anat Cohen-Dayag is the president and CEO of the biotechnology firm Compugen.
  • Orit Gadiesh (born 1951) chairs the management consulting firm Bain & Company.
  • Ofra Strauss (born 1960) chairs the Strauss food producing group.

Italy's Entrepreneurs

  • Barbara Labate (born c.1978) is an entrepreneur. She co-founded and leads the web company Risparmio Super.

Netherlands' Influential Women

Norway's Business and Political Figures

  • Bettina Banoun (born 1972) is a lawyer. She is on the board of the shipping company Wilh. Wilhelmsen.
  • Mimi Berdal (born 1959) is a lawyer and business executive. She chairs or is on the board of several companies.
  • Lisbeth Berg-Hansen (born 1963) is a politician and business executive. She chairs the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research.
  • Kjerstin Braathen (born 1970) is a Norwegian banker. She is the CEO of DNB.
  • Elisabeth Grieg (born 1959) is a business executive. She is part owner of the Grieg Group.
  • Annette Malm Justad (born 1958) is a businessperson. She is on the board of several companies.
  • Åse Aulie Michelet (born 1952) is a businessperson and pharmacist. She is the CEO of Marine Harvest.
  • Anette S. Olsen (born 1956) is a businessperson. She owns and heads the Fred. Olsen shipping company.
  • Margareth Øvrum (born 1958) is a civil engineer and businessperson. She is an executive vice president at Statoil.
  • Hanne Refsholt (born 1960) is an agronomist and businessperson. She is the CEO of the dairy cooperative Tine.
  • Berit Svendsen (born 1963) is an engineer and businessperson. She is vice president of the Telenor Group.

Poland's Creative and Business Minds

  • Barbara Hulanicki (born 1936) is a fashion designer. She founded the London store Biba.
  • Alicja Kornasiewicz (born 1951) is a politician and businessperson. She was a government minister.
  • Helena Rubinstein (1872–1965) was a Polish American business leader in cosmetics.

Portugal's Historical Businesswomen

Romania's Business and Political Leaders

Russia's Business Magnates

  • Yelena Baturina (born 1963) is a businessperson. She founded the investment and construction company Inteco.
  • Natalya Kaspersky (born 1966) was the chair of the antivirus company Kaspersky Lab.
  • Margarita Louis-Dreyfus (born 1962) is a Russian-born Swiss businessperson. She chairs the Louis Dreyfus conglomerate.

Serbia's Arts Patron

Spain's Innovators and Business Leaders

Sweden's Diverse Leaders

  • Gunilla Asker (born 1962) is the CEO of the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet.
  • Mia Brunell (born 1965) is the CEO of the Axel Johnson investment company.
  • Stina Ehrensvärd (born 1967) is a Swedish-American entrepreneur. She is the CEO of Yubico and co-invented the YubiKey.
  • Annika Falkengren (born 1962) is the president and CEO of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken.
  • Hanna Hammarström (1829–1909) was an inventor and industrialist. She made telephone wires.
  • Helena Helmersson (born 1973) is a senior manager at the H&M clothing company.
  • Antonia Ax:son Johnson (born 1943) chairs Axel Johnson.
  • Bonnie Roupé (born 1976) founded the Chinese health company Bonzun.
  • Azita Shariati (born 1968) heads the Swedish branch of the catering company Sodexo.
  • Wilhelmina Skogh (1849–1926) was a hotel manager and owner.
  • Cristina Stenbeck (born 1977) is the chair and main owner of Investment AB Kinnevik.
  • Charlotte Strömberg (born 1959) was the CEO of the JLL real estate company.
  • Louise Wachtmeister (born 1978) is an entrepreneur and political activist.
  • Tina Persson, PhD, is the CEO of Passage2Pro.

Switzerland's Business Executives

Turkey's Business Leaders

United Kingdom's Civil Servants and Journalists

  • Melanie Dawes (born 1966) is a Permanent Secretary for the government.
  • Liliane Landor (born c.1956) is a Lebanese-born journalist and broadcasting executive.

North America's Leading Women

Bahamas' Educational Leaders

  • Betsy Boze is a business executive. She was the president of the College of The Bahamas.

Canada's Premiers and Businesswomen

  • Alison Redford (born 1965) was the 14th Premier of Alberta.
  • Catherine Callbeck (born 1939) was the 28th Premier of Prince Edward Island. She was the first female provincial premier to win a general election.
  • Christy Clark (born 1965) was the 35th Premier of British Columbia.
  • Eva Aariak (born 1955) was the 2nd Premier of Nunavut.
  • Kathleen Wynne (born 1953) was the 25th Premier of Ontario.
  • Kathy Dunderdale (born 1952) was the 10th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Kim Campbell (born 1947) was the 19th Prime Minister of Canada.
  • Lois Mitchell (born 1939/1940) is a businesswoman and philanthropist. She was the 18th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
  • Nellie Cournoyea (born 1940) was the 6th Premier of the Northwest Territories. She was the first female Premier of a Canadian territory.
  • Pat Duncan (born 1960) was the 6th Premier of the Yukon. She was the first female Premier of the Yukon.
  • Pauline Marois (born 1949) was the 30th Premier of Quebec.
  • Rachel Notley (born 1964) was the 17th Premier of Alberta.
  • Rita Johnston (born 1935) was a politician in British Columbia. She was the first female Premier in Canada.
  • Sonja Bata (born 1926) is a Swiss-born businesswoman. She founded and chairs the world's largest shoe museum.

El Salvador's Business and Political Leaders

Mexico's Business Leaders

Puerto Rico's Business and Political Figures

  • María Luisa Arcelay (1898–1981) was an educator, businesswoman, and politician.
  • Camalia Valdés (born 1972) is the president and CEO of the brewery Compañía Cervecera de Puerto Rico.

United States' Notable Women

  • Jewel Freeman Graham (1925 – 2015) was an educator and social worker. She was the second black woman to head the YWCA.
  • Zipporah Michelbacher Cohen (1853 – 1944) was an American civic leader. She was president of the Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Association.
  • Jennifer Martin (born 1973) is an American author and leader in business startups. She is also an actress and producer.

South America's Leading Women

Argentina's Senators

Brazil's Entrepreneurs

Chile's Business and Political Figures

Peru's Political Leaders

Uruguay's Business Executives

Venezuela's Business Leaders

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