Top 10: Female CEOS
Despite increasing diversity in senior leadership roles, female representation among CEOs remains low – with women running just 11% of Fortune 500 companies in 2025.
According to an analysis of the Fortune 100, however, companies led by women often outperform those led by men.
The study, conducted by money.co.uk, found that the average revenue of a female-led company was US$8bn more than that of a male-led company. It also showed that female-led companies typically possess assets valued at US$128bn on average, while companies led by men tend to have an average of $55bn in assets.
Ahead of International Women's Day on 8 March, we take a closer look at 10 female CEOs who are leading the strategic direction and delivering strong growth across a range of widely changing industries.
10. Reshma Kewalramani
Company: Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Revenue: US$12bn
Location: Massachusetts, US
As the first woman to lead a major US biotech firm, Reshma Kewalramani has expanded Vertex’s pipeline beyond cystic fibrosis into gene-editing therapies and pain management.
During her time as CEO, she has accelerated partnerships in CRISPR-based treatments and invested in advanced R&D capabilities.
With a background in internal medicine and nephrology, she is empowering innovation by focusing on developing transformative therapies.
Vertex has delivered strong revenue growth under her leadership while advancing new treatments.
9. Kecia Steelman
Company: Ulta Beauty
Revenue: US$12.3bn
Location: Illinois, US
Kecia Steelman began her career at Ulta Beauty as a Chief Store Operations Manager before progressing to CEO – giving her a deep understanding of the company’s operating rhythm.
As CEO, she emphasises customer-centric innovation, expanding omnichannel capabilities and loyalty programmes.
She has invested in digital personalisation and inclusive brand partnerships at Ulta, which have strengthened its market differentiation.
With a focus on employee engagement across retail teams across the US, Kecia has reinforced a culture of belonging and improved the company’s agility – which has led to strong sales growth.
8. Leena Nair
Company: Chanel
Revenue: US$18.7bn
Location: London, US
Leena Nair has served as Global CEO of Chanel since January 2022, bringing a human-centered and forward-thinking leadership style grounded in long-term value creation.
She has strengthened Chanel’s brand distinction, elevated the client experience and advanced its sustainability agenda, including bold net-zero commitments.
During her tenure, funding for Fondation CHANEL has increased, expanding support to millions of women and girls around the world.
A strong advocate for creativity, craftsmanship, diversity, and inclusion, she is guiding Chanel toward a more sustainable and innovative future while honouring the house’s heritage.
Under Lisa SU, AMD has transformed from a struggling company that had to cut a quarter of its workforce to a multi-billion dollar business.
She did this by refocusing AMD on high-performance computing, launching competitive Ryzen and EPYC processors and expanding into data centres through strategic acquisitions like Xilinx.
During her time as CEO, AMD’s market share and valuation has surged – going from US$3 a share to approximately US$190 a share.
Her transparent leadership model has helped build a culture that values credibility and loyalty, empowering innovation and leading to significant growth.
6. Phebe Novakovic
Company: General Dynamics
Revenue: US$52.6bn
Location: Virginia, US
Known for her operational rigour and background as a CIA intelligence officer, Phebe Novakovic has strengthened General Dynamic’s aerospace division while maintaining disciplined defence contract execution.
She has led the company since 2013, more than doubling its stock value through strategic investments and acquisition – including a US$9.8bn acquisition of CSRA, which significantly boosted General Dynamics' IT services capabilities.
Her leadership prioritises long-term capital allocation, technological modernisation and workforce stability, which has helped her maintain performance excellence across diversified business units within the company and sustain trust with customers, employees and stakeholders.
As the first woman to lead a major Wall Street bank, Jane Fraser is steering Citigroup through a multi-year transformation.
She has streamlined operations by exiting non-core international retail markets and strengthened risk and compliance frameworks after regulatory scrutiny.
Through her leadership approach, Jane prioritises accountability and cultural renewal, reinforcing ethical standards while investing technologies such as AI to modernise banking.
Her strategic refocus on institutional clients and wealth management has sharpened Citi’s competitive positioning, while her prioritisation on performance transparency is helping to foster trust both internally and externally.
4. Carol B. Tomé
Company: UPS
Revenue: US$88.7bn
Location: Georgia, US
Carol Tomé introduced the “Better, Not Bigger” strategy at UPS, which focuses on company profitability over volume.
Through this strategy, she has optimised delivery routes, invested in automation and expanded on the company’s high-margin healthcare logistics services.
She has also improved the company’s sustainable logistics solutions – UPS now operates one of the largest private fleets of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles – which has helped cut costs for the company.
Through initiatives such as these, Carol has strengthened UPS by fostering what she refers to as a “can-do” culture to simplify processes and improve employee engagement.
3. Mary Barra
Company: General Motors
Revenue: US$185.02bn
Location: Michigan, US
Mary Barra has transformed General Motors with a strategic shift towards electric vehicles, and a cultural overhaul which focuses on encouraging safety, accountability and transparency within the company.
She committed $35+ billion toward EV and autonomous vehicle development, launching the Ultium battery platform and expanding General Motors’ EV lineup globally.
During her tenure as CEO, Mary has also encouraged cross-functional collaboration and prioritised inclusion within the company – helping to modernise General Motors’ workforce.
Her people-first philosophy is designed to empower teams to take calculated risks while aligning around a shared future vision, with the company maintaining strong profitability under her leadership.
2. Sarah London
Company: Centene
Revenue: US$194.78bn
Location: Missouri, US
Sarah London took the helm of Centene during operational turbulence and quickly stabilised performance by prioritising the simplification of the company’s portfolio, divesting non-core assets and enhancing Medicaid and Medicare operations.
Sarah has also strengthened data analytics and care coordination to improve member outcomes while restoring investor confidence in the company.
Known for decisive execution, she drives clarity of purpose across a complex organisation serving vulnerable populations.
Her leadership blends analytical discipline with mission alignment, ensuring employees understand how operational efficiency translates into better healthcare access for millions.
1. Gail Boudreaux
Company: Elevance Health
Revenue: US$197.6bn
Location: Indiana, US
Under the leadership of Gail Boudreaux, Elevance Health rebranded from its prior name, Anthem, to better reflect its evolution from a traditional health insurance payer to a broader, more holistic health company"focused on the ‘whole health’ of its members
As part of this shift, Gail has invested heavily in digital health platforms, pharmacy services and community-based care to drive integrated outcomes.
She has also expanded value-based care partnerships and improved operating margins through disciplined cost management.
By building high-performing executive teams and championing health equity initiatives, Gail balances financial rigor with mission-driven leadership – fostering resilience in an industry that has seen rapid change in recent years.
Company portals
Executives
Carol B. Tomé
Chief Executive Officer
Gail Boudreaux
President and CEO
Jane Fraser
Chief Executive Officer
Kecia Steelman
President & CEO
Leena Nair
CEO
Lisa Su
Chair & CEO
Mary Barra
CEO
Reshma Kewalramani, MD FASN
CEO and President
Sarah London
Chief Executive Officer
