Celebrating Women Changemakers in Business and Philanthropy

The CNBC Changemakers list highlights remarkable women who are making significant strides in business and philanthropy. This year marks the second annual presentation of this list, which includes leaders from various fields such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, women’s health, and consumer products tailored for female audiences.

Overview of the Changemakers List

• Innovative Leaders: The Changemakers list recognizes women who achieved notable milestones in 2024, significantly impacting their industries and communities.
• Market Valuation: The companies represented in this list, ranging from innovative startups to established giants, have a total market value of approximately $400 billion.

This year’s collection boasts a diverse group, including:

• 12 startup founders whose combined ventures are valued at over $11 billion.
• 9 CEOs of publicly traded firms managing organizations with a total market cap nearing $385 billion.

The list spans fourteen different sectors, including:

• Media, Entertainment, and Sports: 9 leaders
• Financial Services: 6 leaders
• Food and Restaurants: 6 leaders

Additionally, this year’s honorees feature women from the fields of aerospace, construction, real estate, pharmaceuticals, and philanthropy, illustrating the vast influence women have in various industries.

The Selection Process

Since the initiation of the list in November, nominations have been collected and assessed. Collaborating with the Changemakers Advisory Board, each candidate’s impact was evaluated using both quantitative and qualitative criteria. Nominees were asked to provide details regarding their influence and the scale of their achievements, which were thoroughly reviewed by CNBC’s team.

Key Trends Observed

1. Purpose-Driven Leadership: Similar to last year’s list, the recurring theme among this year’s leaders is the blending of profitability with social and environmental responsibility.

2. Focus on Health Care: An increasing number of women entrepreneurs are addressing health care needs, particularly those affecting women. For example:

   • Toyin Ajayi, CEO of Cityblock Health, aims to enhance health outcomes in underserved communities by integrating both medical and mental health services.
   • Naomi Watts, founder of Stripes Beauty, is working on revolutionizing discussions around menopause, while Joanna Strober co-founded Midi Health, a virtual clinic for women over 40.

3. Empowerment through Education: Initiatives like GeneDX, led by Katherine Stueland, focus on genomics testing to facilitate accurate diagnoses and treatment pathways, while Lumen, co-founded by Merav and Michal Mor, provides tailored nutrition insights.

4. Artificial Intelligence Impact: Many Changemakers are not only leading in AI development but also promoting safe and beneficial applications of technology. Notable figures include:
   • Lila Ibrahim, COO of Google DeepMind, overseeing ethical AI deployment.
   • Lan Guan, AI Chief at Accenture, who propelled significant growth in AI-related services within the firm.

Rising Challenges

Despite the remarkable achievements of women in leadership, substantial challenges persist:

• Women represent only 11% of Fortune 500 CEOs, indicating a slow progression.
• Funding opportunities for female-founded startups have decreased, with female-only founder teams receiving only 2% of venture capital in recent years.

While many women face an uphill battle in advancing their careers, the stories of those who thrive despite these obstacles serve as an inspiration. The Changemakers list not only honors exceptional talent but also highlights the need for perseverance and creativity in the pursuit of success.

Celebrating Achievements

An event is planned for April 8, where the accomplishments of this year’s Changemakers will be celebrated through interviews and discussions on leadership and entrepreneurship. Featured speakers and participants will include notable leaders such as Donna Langley from NBCUniversal and Kourtney Gibson from TIAA’s CEO of Retirement Solutions.

The Changemakers list shines a light on the achievements and potential of women who are transforming industries and influencing society for the better. Their exemplary stories offer not only inspiration but also a glimpse into the future of business and philanthropy.

Please follow and like us: