Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #5
Abigail Johnson has served as CEO of Fidelity Investments since 2014, when she took over from her father, and as chairman since 2016.
Her grandfather, Edward Johnson II, founded the Boston-based mutual fund giant in 1946.
She owns an estimated 24.5% stake of the firm, which has nearly $2.7 trillion in managed assets.
Johnson has embraced cryptocurrencies and, in 2018, Fidelity launched a platform that allows institutional investors to trade bitcoin and ether.
She worked summers at Fidelity through college and joined full-time as an analyst in 1988 after receiving a Harvard M.B.A.
Abigail Johnson
CEO of Fidelity Investments
On June 26, 2018, Ocasio-Cortez won the Democratic primary in New York’s 14th congressional district, defeating the incumbent, Democratic Caucus Chair Joseph Crowley, in what has been described as the biggest upset victory in the 2018 midterm election season.
Ocasio-Cortez is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and has been endorsed by a variety of politically progressive organizations and individuals.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
American activist, community organizer, and
democratic-socialist politician.
Brittain joined Barclays as a graduate trainee, and worked there for 19 years, moving on to Santander UK in, then Lloyds Banking Group.
She became CEO for Whitbred, the parent company of Premier Inn, Whitbread restaurants and Costa Coffee.
Focusing on the sustainability of the brand with Brittain’s ‘Force for Good’ programme will help us become an even greater place to work, build brands that people love and create a forward-looking, sustainable and successful business.
Alison Brittain, CBE
Whitbred CEO
Allyson Felix has won 25 gold medals at the Olympics and World championships making her one of the most decorated track & field athletes.
10 months after the birth of her first child, Felix secured a record-breaking 12th World Championships gold medal in the 4x400m mixed relay in Doha, surpassing Usain Bolt.
Felix clashed with Nike over their lack of maternal protection, Nike has since changed their policy but Allyson now works with other brands.
Allyson says has accomplished so much, but her greatest accomplishment and her greatest love is her daughter, Camryn, who reminds her everyday that she can never stop fighting for what is right in this world. She continues to strive for greatness in all areas reminding us that we all can achieve things we never dreamed of.
Allyson Felix
Athlete. Mother. Activist.
One of the world’s most respected human-rights lawyers, and one half of Hollywood’s power couple, 40-year-old Amal Clooney inhabits a uniquely influential position.
Her international profile means the causes she champions – the plight of the Yazidi women kidnapped by Isis; the detained Reuters journalists in Burma – are afforded greater media exposure, a fact Clooney uses to positive
ends.
Her clients include Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, in his fight against extradition; the former prime minister of Ukraine, and Nobel Prize laureate Nadia Murad.
In 2019, Amal was appointed the special envoy on media freedom by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Amal Clooney
Human-rights lawyer
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #8
Botín became chair of the company in 2014, after the sudden death of her father, Emilio.
She pulled off a coup in 2017 when Banco Santander acquired failing Banco Popular (BP) for 1 euro to become Spain’s largest bank.
In the face of political unrest, she has championed fintech and focused on entrepreneurs, backing small enterprise and women-owned businesses.
She launched Santander X to support university entrepreneurship and helped create the country’s first multi-sector blockchain-based platform.
The bank’s $200 million InnoVentures private equity fund has seeded disruptors such as Digital Asset Holdings, Ripple and Kabbage.
Ana Partricia Botin
Chair and Executive Director, Santander
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #1
Became the first female Chancellor of Germany in 2005 and is serving her fourth term, she announced she wouldn’t seek another term as chancellor in 2021.
Merkel remains the de facto leader of Europe, leading the region’s largest economy after steering Germany through financial crisis and back to growth.
Her leadership is marked by her steely reserve, from standing up to Donald Trump to allowing more than a million Syrian refugees into Germany.
For now, she leads a coalition government unpopular with voters, facing continuing storms from Brexit and growing anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe.
Angela Merkel
Chancellor of Germany
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #48
Rumors that Wintour would be leaving after the September issue have not played out – Condé Nast announced she will stay indefinitely.
The September Issue, where Beyonce had unprecedented control over editorial direction, caused some to argue that Vogue was losing relevance.
As the artistic director of Vogue’s parent company, Condé Nast, Wintour sits near the top of a growing empire.
She suspended Bruce Weber and Mario Testino amid sexual misconduct charges and set a Code of Conduct for models and photographers.
Anna Wintour DBE
Artistic Director, Condé Nast
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #50
husband Jay-Z grossed roughly $5 million per night, pulling in a total of more than $250 million.
In April 2019, the pop star released ‘Homecoming,’ a live album and Netflix special about her groundbreaking 2018 performance at Coachella.
Also in April, Beyonce announced a new partnership with Adidas to relaunch her activewear line Ivy Park.
Beyonce first rose to fame as the lead singer in girl-group Destiny’s Child.
She voices the part of Nala in this summer’s ‘Lion King’ remake.
Her husband Jay-Z is now a billionaire thanks to a variety of investments in music, art and liquor.
Beyonce
Musician
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #3
Lagarde has led the IMF since 2011, providing financial oversight and guidance for its 189 member countries, including China, Russia and the U.K.
Under her tenure, the IMF has navigated the eurozone debt crisis, managed emerging market risks and the threat of a U.S. trade war with China.
In November she warned that disputes and tariffs are putting global growth in jeopardy and urged countries to fix global trade.
Lagarde has asked central banks to adopt digital currency as a legitimate option to supply money in the digital economy.
On the 10-year anniversary of the 2008 bank collapse, Lagarde pointed to “groupthink” in the male-dominated industry and call further gender reform
Christine Lagarde
Lawyer, chairman of IMF
Often thought of as being the highest-ranking police officer in the UK, Cressida is the first woman to take charge of the service.
Dick is negotiating with the government in an effort to increase funding for the MPS.
In June 2017 Dick faced criticism for praising the “diversity” of the victims of the Islamic terror attack on London Bridge that killed eight people. Dick claimed that the nationalities of those killed told a proud story of the city’s diversity, noting that “among those who died is someone who’s British, there are French, Australian, Canadian, Spanish”.
Dick’s official portrait as Commissioner was unveiled in July 2019 as part of the commemorations to mark 100 years of women in the Metropolitan Police
Cressida Dick, DBE QPM
Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police
Service
Carolyn McCall became the first female CEO of ITV after seven years as the CEO of Easyjet – a role that earned her a DBE for services to aviation and a personal fortune. The airlines shares almost quadrupled in her tenure.
Making McCall one of the most powerful figures in broadcasting, determining the face and future of Britain’s most watched commercial TV channel.
She also sits on the board of Burberry
Carolyn McCall, DBE
Chief executive of ITV
Best known as the founder of The Body Shop, a cosmetics company producing and retailing natural beauty products, one of the first to prohibit the use of ingredients tested on animals & promote fair trade with developing countries.
Roddick was involved in activism and campaigning for environmental and social issues, including involvement with Greenpeace and The Big Issue.
Roddick founded Children on the Edge, a charitable organisation which helps disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.She believed that business should offer a form of moral leadership, being a more powerful force in society than religion or government.
Dame Anita Roddick
British businesswoman, human rights activist and
environmental campaigner
Holmes specialised in the 800 metres and 1500 metres events and won a gold medal for both distances at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. She set British records in numerous events and still holds the records over the 600, 800 and 1000 metre distances.
Inspired by a number of successful British middle distance runners in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Holmes began competing in middle distance events in her youth
She took part in her final major championship in 2004, with a double gold medal-winning performance at the Athens Olympics, finishing as the 800 m and 1500 m Olympic Champion. For her achievements she won numerous awards and was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2005.
Dame Kelly Holmes
British Olympic Athlete, retired
Dollys’ album debut in 1967 with Hello, I’m Dolly lead to steady success during the 60s, 70s and continued into the 1980s.
She has her own label, Dolly Records, composed over 3,000 songs and has had 25 songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts.
Her humanitarian work includes the Dollywood Foundation, originally launched to help decrease high school dropout rates in Parton’s home county. Now an ever expanding international scheme Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gifts free books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income.
Dolly Parton
Country singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer,
actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian
At the end of 2017, as the #metoo movement started to permeate the fashion industry, 27-year-old Edie Campbell gave a masterclass in how a person can use their privilege for good.
The former Model of the Year’s widely read open letter to the fashion industry, criticising its promotion of a toxic “artist-genius” culture, was a key catalyst in bringing about much-needed reform to working practices, and gave cover for scores of younger models to speak out, too.
Edie Campbell
Model
Named one of the most important people of the 20th Century, she shaped an idea of women for our time, shaking society into a new pattern from which there could be no going back. (Time magazine)
Criticised for her militant tactics, and historians disagree about their effectiveness, but her work is recognised as a crucial element in achieving women’s suffrage in the United Kingdom.
Born Manchester in 1858, to politically active parents, Pankhurst was introduced at the age of 14 to the women’s suffrage movement.
Emmeline Pankhurst
Political activist and organizer of the British suffragette
movement
Starting her career in television presenting in 1996 at the age of 15, Fearne is a well known household name. Having suffered with mental health due to her fame, Fearne began talking out loud about her own experiences of happiness (including some of the not-so-happy ones)
In 2018 she began presenting her podcast Happy Place in line with her books Happy, Quiet & Calm.
Fearne Cotton
English television and radio presenter
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #10
A 36-year veteran of the iconic tech company, Rometty has led IBM’s transition to a data company.
Today, half of IBM’s $79.1 billion 2017 revenue comes from the emerging, high-value segments of IT vs its legacy software products.
She has put cognitive computing at the center of its strategy for the future and made massive bets on blockchain and quantum computing.
In October 2018, IBM purchased Red Hat for $34 billion, placing the company in a position to compete with Amazon and Microsoft in cloud computing.
But despite this high-priced deal, IBM’s stock has fallen 20% in 2018 and posted weak third-quarter results.
Ongoing efforts to keep women in the workforce include extended parental leave, a breastmilk delivery program and returnships.
Ginni Rometty
CEO, IBM
Greta Thunberg is credited with raising global awareness of the problems posed by climate change, and with holding politicians to account for their lack of action on what she calls the “climate crisis”
At just 15, the teenager staged a “School Strike for Climate” in front of the Swedish Parliament in August last year.
She continued to gain international attention after speaking at the U.N. Climate Talks.
Her strike has inspired young students from around the world, leading tens of thousands of students to join her #FridaysforFuture demonstrations.
Greta Thunberg
16 year old Climate activist
Known for multiple award winning films with a career spanning 53 years, in 2013 announced as part of Marks & Spencer’s ‘Womanism’ campaign, subtitled “Britain’s leading ladies”.
Mirren began her acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1967 and is one of the few performers who have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting. In 2003, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to drama.
Mirren has always fought to portray women with a strong point of view. “I want roles that reflect women well as a sex, that don’t demean or undercut them…”
Helen Mirren
English actor
Described as an ‘English scent maverick’ and the woman responsible for creating some of the world’s most loved fragrances.
Discovering an instinctual talent for creating scented products by hand in her kitchen, word of her exceptional potions quickly spread and soon Jo was unable to keep up with demand.
Recognised for her industry expertise spanning over thirty years, Jo regularly shares her brand building experience with audiences around the world and consistently contributes to consumer publications, radio, and TV in addition to her weekly business column within the London Evening Standard.
Whether it’s a keynote session or an in-conversation, Jo’s story will leave you encouraged and inspired.
Jo Malone
Entrepreneur & scent specialist
Appointed MD of Birmingham city FC at the age of 23, Karren Brady is one of the most influential, high profile and respected female business leaders in the UK.
Voted Business Woman of the Year, Ultimate Entrepreneur and rated among the 50 most inspirational people in the world, she is passionate about business and the promotion of women in business in the UK.
Made a life peer by the Prime Minister, and received a CBE from the Queen for her services to business, entrepreneurship and women in business..
Karren’s wealth of experience and passion for supporting entrepreneurs led to her appointment as the Government’s Business Ambassador by the Prime Minister in 2013.
Karren is one of the most sought after speakers in the world and has worked in over 30 countries, motivating and advising global businesses through her award-winning speeches.
Karren Brady
CEO of West Ham United Football Club
She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and only woman to win the Nobel prize twice, and the only person to win the Nobel Prize in two different scientific fields. She was also the first woman to become a professor at the University of Paris, and in 1995 became the first woman to be entombed on her own merits in the Panthéon in Paris.
Her achievements included the development of the theory of radioactivity techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes, and the discovery of two elements, polonium and radium.
Marie Curie
Pioneer in physics and chemistry, Nobel peace prize winner
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #9
CEO of Lockheed Martin since 2013, Hewson has deftly steered the defense company’s position at the forefront of security, aerospace and technology.
The F-35 fighter jet program and other development that address modern military needs have helped increase market value to nearly $100 billion.
In 2017, the company pulled in $51 billion in sales, nearly 70% from the U.S. government.
Hewson has also focused on international expansion, raising the total share of overseas revenue from 17% to 30%.
To remain on the forefront of innovation, Lockheed Martin is developing a supersonic aircraft that breaks the sound barrier without a sonic boom.
Marillyn Hewson
CEO, Lockheed Martin
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #4
She has invested billions in electric vehicles, self-driving cars and a ride-share service called Maven to ensure the manufacturer’s future.
In November, as part of a restructuring plan to make the company more agile and profitable, she announced layoffs of 14,000 North American employees.
While the news sent shockwaves through the Midwest and angered President Trump, the cost-cutting sent stock prices up 5%.
Having earned $22 million in 2017, Barra has the highest compensation of any leader of a Detroit Big Three automaker.
GM ranked No. 1 on the 2018 Global Report on Gender Equality. It was one of only two global businesses that have no gender pay gap.
Mary Barra
CEO, General Motors
Widely recognized as the UK’s foremost authority on retail and brand communication, Mary Portas has a multitude of expertise; business woman, advertising executive, retail expert, Government adviser, broadcaster and consumer champion. The British media crowned her “Queen of Shops”.
Mary became Global Retail Ambassador for Save the Children when she transformed the Charity’s worst performing shop – Orpington – into its best.
Mary Portas
Retail expert, Government adviser & consumer champion
One of the most recognisable women in the world as American actress & more recently Prince Harry’s wife. Her influence stretches far beyond the ceaseless coverage of her style – as a bi-racial campaigning feminist from America, she is helping to forge a new 21st-century identity for the monarchy.
Markle has long been involved in humanitarian efforts, volunteering in soup kitchens from the age of 15. A champion of women’s rights, Markle has actively worked towards gender equality and the empowerment of women, speaking at International Women’s Day for the United Nations
Markle wrote an article for TIME called “How Periods Affect Potential,” about the way menstruation can hinder a woman’s potential if she doesn’t have access to tampons and pads.
Meghan Markle
The Duchess of Sussex
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #6
Gates maintains her position as most powerful woman in philanthropy as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Founded in 2000, it’s the world’s largest private charitable foundation with a $40 billion trust endowment.
She’s increasingly visible in shaping foundation strategy, solving tough global challenges from education and poverty to contraception and sanitation.
As part of the foundation’s mission to help all people lead healthy, productive lives, she has devoted much of her work to women’s and girls’ rights
In her next chapter, Gates’ mission is to close the funding gap for female founders, through her investment and incubation company, Pivotal Ventures.
Melinda Gates
Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
One of the most significant actions through social media, using the platform as a movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault.
The movement began to spread virally in October 2017 as a hashtag on social media in an attempt to demonstrate the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment, especially in the workplace.
Tarana Burke, an American social activist and community organizer, began using the phrase “Me Too” as early as 2006. The phrase was later popularized by American actress Alyssa Milano on Twitter in 2017. Milano encouraged victims of sexual harassment to tweet about it and “give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem”.
The movement continues even now, having highlighted not just the exploitation of women, but men too!
The #metoo movement
First lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. The first African-American first lady.
As first lady, Obama served as a role model for women, and worked as an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity and healthy eating.
Michelle is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School.
Subsequently working in non-profits and as the associate dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago and the vice president for Community and External Affairs of the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Michelle has two daughters with her husband Barack Obama.
Campaigning for her husband’s presidential bid throughout, delivering a keynote address at the 2008 & 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Also delivering a speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in support of the Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, a former first lady.
Michelle Obama
Lawyer, university administrator and writer
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #45
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola opposed the Brexit deal negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May.
She stated that no Scottish government could possibly accept a deal which left the country poorer and went against the wishes of the Scottish people.
In June, the Scottish National Party managed to remain the largest party in Scotland but lost 21 of the 56 constituencies it collected in 2015.
That forced Sturgeon to end her plan for a second go at an independence referendum, which would’ve given Scots the opportunity to exit the U.K.
Sturgeon has reinforced the case for continued membership of the single market and customs union.
Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister, Scotland
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #20
Oprah Winfrey has transitioned her hit talk show, which ran for 25 years, into a media and business empire.
Winfrey parlayed her role as a news anchor into a 25-year talk show gig. Reinvested, the profits from her show add up to an estimated $2 billion.
In 2011, Winfrey launched cable channel OWN. Her 25.5% of the network is worth about $75 million.
The ‘Oprah effect’ has spread to Weight Watchers: she bought a 10% stake in 2015 (since lowered to 8%) and acts as a brand ambassador.
In June 2018, she signed a deal with Apple’s streaming service to create original content that will include a book club, documentaries and TV series.
Oprah Winfrey
Entrepreneur, Personality, Philanthropist
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #23
On the throne for 66 years, Queen Elizabeth is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She has become much loved and respected across the globe.
Enjoying record popularity, over 50 million people in the U.S. and Britain tuned in to the wedding of grandson Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The 92-year-old matriarch is still setting the tone at public events and receiving world leaders at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
Ever the modern royal, “HRH” posted her first Tweet in 2014 and has rolled with the protocol breaches favoured by the younger royal family.
Her patronages and charities cover a range of issues, from opportunities for young people, to the preservation of wildlife and the environment.
Queen Elizabeth II
Monarch, United Kingdom
An MBE for Services to Rugby and becoming the 2016 World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year have duly rewarded Sarah Hunter for her skill, dedication, determination and persistence to surpass 100 caps.
Sarah led from the front as England won the Grand Slam with a 34-7 win over Ireland in the 2017 Six Nations and also was at the forefront as the team reached the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup final. She led the team again in the 2019 Women’s Six Nations, scoring two tries, as the Red Roses secured a Grand Slam.
Sarah Hunter
England Ladies Rugby Captain
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #79
The 23-time Grand Slam winner is known not only for her prowess on the courts but for her business acumen as well.
She has invested in 34 startups over the past five years through Serena Ventures in a portfolio worth at least $10 million.
Serena Ventures is focused on companies founded by women and minorities, which is where 60% of the investments have gone so far.
She launched a self-funded, direct-to-consumer clothing line, S by Serena, in 2018. She also owns stakes in the Miami Dolphins and UFC.
She has more than a dozen corporate partners, and her $89 million in career prize money is twice as much as any other female athlete.
Serena Williams
Athlete, Tennis
A role model in every sense, Houghton has blossomed since being appointed England captain in April 2014.
This elevated status spoke volumes not just of Houghton’s defensive nous but also of her inner steel, for she missed out on a place at the 2007 World Cup and 2009 Euros after getting injured on the eve of each tournament. The Durham native bounced back with aplomb.
Houghton made her England debut against Russia in March 2007. She was initially deployed in midfield and across the backline before finding her true calling at the heart of the defence.
The 31-year-old has appeared at two World Cups and two European Championships as well as starring for Team GB at London 2012.
Steph Haughton
England Ladies Football Captain
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #7
Susan Wojcicki is CEO of Alphabet subsidiary YouTube, which has 2 billion monthly users.
In 1999, Wojcicki became Google’s 16th employee. In 2006 she advocated for the $1.65 billion acquisition of YouTube.
The site, which she has run since 2014, is now worth an estimated $90 billion.
In January 2019, YouTube announced it would crack down on the spread of harmful content and misinformation by tweaking its algorithm.
Wojcicki sits on the board of Salesforce.
Before Google, she worked at Intel and served as a management consultant at Bain & Company.
Susan Wojcicki
CEO, YouTube
Forbes – The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2018 #2
May became Prime Minister in July 2016 (until June 2019) following David Cameron’s resignation after the UK’s referendum decision to leave the EU.
May spent her time as PM negotiating the exit, facing pushback from both pro and anti-European factions in her own party and the opposition.
European leaders approved her plan in November 2018, opening the door for the first major member state in the bloc’s 45-year history.
Balancing Britain’s goals to strike free trade deals outside the EU and land border issues with Ireland, could undo years of work to create peace.
May continued to fight for a unified Britain and in her own words “a Brexit that delivers on the result of the referendum.” until June 2019 when Boris Johnson became her successor.
Theresa May
British Politician (PM July ‘16-Jun’19)