Changemakers Redefine Success: Insights from Google DeepMind, Skims, Reddit, Paris Hilton, and Naomi Watts
Understanding the CNBC Changemakers List: Women Shaping Business and Philanthropy
The CNBC Changemakers list highlights women whose contributions to business and philanthropy are driving significant changes in various sectors. First introduced last year, the list aims to shine a light on female leaders breaking barriers and making a difference across diverse fields, from biotechnology and artificial intelligence to healthcare and eco-friendly products.
Significant Impact Across Industries
The second annual CNBC Changemakers list includes a remarkable array of women with collective accomplishments worth nearly $400 billion. This year’s cohort comprises startup founders whose companies are valued at over $11 billion and have raised more than $2 billion from investors. Furthermore, nine women leading publicly traded companies oversee firms that total about $385 billion in market capitalization.
- This year’s list features leaders from fourteen different sectors.
- Notable areas include media, entertainment, sports, financial services, and food and restaurants.
- Philanthropy and government are also represented by several remarkable women.
Selection Process and Key Trends
The selection process for the Changemakers involved gathering nominations since November and consulting with the Changemakers Advisory Board. Candidates submitted information about their impact, which was evaluated through both quantitative measurements and qualitative insights. The aim was to assess how these women have driven change over the past year.
This year, two essential trends emerged from the Changemakers list:
- Women leaders are not only focused on profits but also integrating social and environmental betterment into their business models.
- A growing number of women are addressing healthcare needs, particularly for women’s health, by launching companies that provide innovative solutions.
Highlighted Changemakers
Several standout individuals from the list include:
- Toyin Ajayi: CEO of Cityblock Health, co-founded the company to enhance healthcare access for lower-income communities, incorporating mental health services and assistance with social services.
- Carla Vernón: CEO of Honest Company, focuses on providing parents with sustainably designed and clean products.
- Cassandra Morales Thurswell: Developed plastic-free shampoo bars to promote affordable and eco-friendly hair care solutions.
- Emma Grede: Co-founded Good American and is dedicated to creating a size-inclusive brand that addresses the needs of underserved markets. Grede also chairs The Fifteen Percent Pledge, which helps retailers commit space to Black-owned businesses.
Transformative Healthcare Solutions
Several women are also focused on transforming healthcare by addressing issues related to women’s health. For example:
- Naomi Watts: Leading Stripes Beauty to change how women discuss and manage menopause.
- Joanna Strober: Founded Midi Health, which provides virtual healthcare tailored to women over 40, offering both hormonal and non-hormonal treatments, supplements, and lifestyle coaching.
The Role of AI and Technology
As technology continues to evolve, many Changemakers are at the forefront of deploying AI responsibly. Key figures include:
- Lila Ibrahim: COO of Google DeepMind, is dedicated to using AI for medical breakthroughs.
- Bianca Anghelina: With Aily Labs, she focuses on creating tools for more informed corporate decision-making.
- Lan Guan: Chief AI officer at Accenture, known for implementing AI strategies across client operations and achieving significant growth in business.
The Importance of Female Representation
Women currently hold 11% of CEO positions in Fortune 500 companies, marking a record high. Many of the Changemakers are from fields with low female representation among CEOs. Sheryl Palmer, CEO of Taylor Morrison, is notably one of the few females in her sector, leveraging her role to open doors for other women in leadership.
Many Changemakers demonstrate that female leaders often have more women in management roles and foster diverse work environments. Reports indicate that 30 women on this year’s list have mixed-gender or female-dominated teams, suggesting a trend towards diversity in leadership.
Despite the successes of women on the Changemakers list, challenges still exist, particularly in venture capital where funding for female-founded startups has plummeted to just 2%. This creates a need for ongoing attention to women in leadership and investment opportunities to ensure that progress continues.
The CNBC Changemakers list not only recognizes exceptional women but also celebrates the stories of resilience, creativity, and determination that continue to break down barriers and inspire others. The celebration of these leaders will be showcased during an upcoming leadership summit that aims to highlight best practices and strategies for fostering an inclusive business culture.
