Changemakers Redefine Success: Insights from Google DeepMind, Skims, Reddit, Paris Hilton, and Naomi Watts
CNBC Changemakers: Celebrating Women Leaders in Business
Introduction to the CNBC Changemakers List
The CNBC Changemakers list is an annual recognition that highlights women who are making significant changes in business and philanthropy. In its second year, this list celebrates leaders whose achievements cover various sectors, including biotech, artificial intelligence, women’s health, and consumer products. Each individual recognized has made a notable impact in 2024, either by elevating their companies or addressing crucial societal challenges.
Impact of the Changemakers
The women included in this year’s list comprise startup founders and CEOs from publicly traded companies. Collectively, their organizations are valued at around $400 billion, with many innovative ideas and solutions that target issues faced by many.
- Startup Founders: A significant portion of the honorees are founders of startups, whose companies have a combined worth exceeding $11 billion and have secured over $2 billion from investors.
- Public Company CEOs: The list features nine CEOs from public companies, leading organizations worth approximately $385 billion in total market capitalization.
Sectors Represented
The Changemakers list spans diverse industries, demonstrating the multifaceted contributions of women leaders:
- Media, Entertainment, and Sports: Nine women are recognized within this sector.
- Financial Services: Six leaders are included from this industry.
- Food and Restaurants: Another six women lead companies here.
- Other Industries: There are also notable inclusions from aerospace, construction, real estate, and pharma/biotech.
- Philanthropy and Government: Three women lead charitable organizations, and two are acknowledged for their roles in the government.
Selection Process
The process for curating the Changemakers list involved gathering nominations and carefully reviewing the candidates’ impacts through various metrics with the help of the Changemakers Advisory Board. The nominees were evaluated based on their measurable contributions, focusing largely on the past year’s achievements.
Key Trends Among Changemakers
Several trends have emerged from this year’s list:
Purpose-Driven Business Models: Many of the featured leaders are crafting businesses that not only strive for profits but also commit to social and environmental causes.
HealthCare Innovations: A significant number of leaders are addressing women’s healthcare needs. For example:
- Toyin Ajayi, CEO of Cityblock Health, aims to enhance healthcare access for low-income communities.
- Naomi Watts, founder of Stripes Beauty, is advancing conversations around menopause and its treatments.
- Cassandra Morales Thurswell has developed plastic-free shampoo bars to promote sustainable hair care.
- Advancements in AI: Some Changemakers are at the forefront of using AI responsibly and effectively.
- Lila Ibrahim, COO of Google DeepMind, is focusing on leveraging AI for medical breakthroughs.
- Lan Guan from Accenture has led substantial growth in AI solutions, generating $3 billion in related business.
The Role of Diversity in Leadership
The NBC Changemakers list also highlights the importance of supporting diversity in leadership. As women occupy more CEO roles, they inspire a greater female representation within their organizations. Many leaders on this list report having significant portions of their workforce made up of women—29 leaders indicate over half of their workforce is female.
Challenges Facing Women Entrepreneurs
Despite these successes, there remain systemic barriers for women in business. For instance, venture capital funding for female-founded companies has decreased significantly. Women-led startups received only 2% of venture capital in the past year, highlighting an ongoing challenge for female entrepreneurs.
Celebrating Changemakers
In April, CNBC will host an event to celebrate these remarkable women. This gathering will feature discussions and interviews on leadership, innovation, and strategies for success. Notable attendees will include influential leaders and innovators from various fields.
The CNBC Changemakers list serves as a valuable reminder of the incredible strides women are making in business and philanthropy, inspiring the next generation of female leaders.
