When taking a poll on who was most prominent in business, the following came to mind: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Mark Cuban. When asked about a prominent woman in business, the confession was that they could not think of any. The fact of the matter is that the business landscape is being reshaped, and women are at the forefront of this change, yet they are going under the radar. It is my mission today to take a look at five remarkable women and what their strides have done in various industries.

Indra Nooyi

Her journey began in 1955 in Chennai, India. She excelled academically and went on to earn an MBA from Yale University. Her intelligence led her to join PepsiCo in 1994, and in less than 15 years, she was able to rise the ranks and eventually find her way as the CEO of PepsiCo. She served as the first woman of color to lead a Fortune 500 company, and she was in this role from 2006 to 2018. She believed the company needed transformation, and Nooyi focused on expanding PepsiCo’s reach to developing markets, implementing environmentally friendly practices, and championing healthier food options. She also played a key role in going against Nelson Peltz, an investor pitching a potential break-up within the company.

She has since retired, but that does not mean her work is done. She stays active on the stage and is currently on the board of Amazon’ as well as being an advocate for working woman; bringing attention to the childcare crisis. She is a powerful example of what women are capable of when getting a seat at the table.

Jane Fraser

This woman is particularly notable because of her ability to shatter glass ceilings. She started her education earning a Bachelor of Arts (she later turned it into a MAsters degree in economics) and then found herself in the United States. Attending Harvard Business School she received her Master of Business Administration degree, allowing herself to have a strong foundation for what she was to accomplish in life.

She would find a long and successful career at Citigroup, working her way through various leadership roles across the group, including Citigroup Latin America. This allowed her to grasp an understanding of the financial industry and the challenges the company faced. The hard work would pay off, as she became the CEO in 2021. This was groundbreaking, as she had become the FIRST WOMAN to lead a major Wall Street bank. Imagine her feeling of accomplishment for hitting this significant milestone for herself, as well as creating a space of gender equality in the financial sector.

She has not only led the company into digitalization, but she has become a strong advocate for environmental sustainability. Under her leadership, Citigroup has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This ambitious goal positions Citigroup as a leader in sustainable finance and makes Jane Fraser a woman of leadership and an inspiration for making a positive impact on the world.

Abigail Johnson

Speaking of great leadership, Abigail Johnson would appear to be the woman for the job. She was born from a true financial dynasty. Her grandfather, Edward C. Johnson II was the founder of Fidelity investments. Eventually, he would hand over the reins to Abigail in 2014, but this journey was not sudden, and it would not be easy.

She began as an intern at the firm throughout her college career and joined as a full-time analyst after attending Harvard and graduating with her MBA; being involved with the company her whole life allowed her a deep appreciation and understanding of Fidelity’s operations. However, coming into the modern age, the way things ran was not sustainable and she took it upon herself to create a significant transformation. As CEO, Abigail recognized the importance of technology and the effects it would have behind the company's digital transformation, allowing clients to access their investments more easily. Johnson also spearheaded Fidelity’s global presence and was keen on fostering a culture of innovation. She believes experimentation and calculated risks are key to allowing Fidelity to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving financial landscape.

While Fidelity is Abigail's main focus, she is also involved in broader industry initiatives. Serving on the board of Breakthrough Energy Ventures allows her to help focus on clean energy technologies. Some would venture to say there is little Johnson could not do when it comes to innovation, and her remarkable achievements and hard work are evidence of what she is able to do.

Jessica Tan

When it comes to technology advancements, Jessica Tan has a say in the game. Her degree in engineering and economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) helped her gain a foothold in the field she would soon pioneer through. Her education, as well as spending a significant amount of time at McKinsey & Company, a prestigious consulting firm, allowed her to have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which have become invaluable in the financial sector, especially aiding her career when joining Ping An China in 2013.

Tan believed in something greater; she believed in people and allowing inclusion. She saw that China had a large amount of the population uninsured, particularly in rural areas and believed that technology could bridge the gap. When 2018 promoted her to Co-CEO, she took her ideas full force and had Ping An develop insurance products and distribution channels that would be accessible online and through mobile apps. Not only did this make insurance more affordable, but it also was convenient for a wider range of people. Through her co-leadership, Pin An transformed and offered a variety of financial services, including wealth management and healthcare platforms. Her actions allowed diversification, which caters to the evolving needs of Chinese consumers and positions Ping An for future growth, as can be seen by the $110 billion worth of insurance premiums they sold in 2021.

Jessica Tan did step down from her Co-CEO position just this year in January and maintains at the company as a Non-Executive Director. It can be said that her influence and legacy at Ping An China will remain significant and she is an inspiration for anyone who sees the positive in what technology can do.

Rosalind Brewer

Here is a woman who did not believe in limitations. Brewer graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Spelman College, a historically Black college for women. But she didn't stop there; she continued her education at Stanford Law School, showcasing her diverse skill set in science and business. Her skill did not only live within the confines of her intelligence but also with her focus on inclusion, serving on multiple boards such as Amazon, Sam's Club, Starbucks (becoming the first woman to be CEO of Sam's Club and COO of Starbucks later on) and currently sits on the Board of Directors for United Airlines (February 2024). Not to undercut any of her other accomplishments, but a large inspiration for little girls was when she became the first black woman, and so far the only, to be CEO of a Fortune 500 company to Walgreens Boots Alliance in 2021.

In her position, she championed future-proofing Walgreens by expanding in-store healthcare clinics and partnering with health insurance companies to offer integrated care options. She also believed that the customer experience was vital and needed improvement, which can be seen in the efforts to streamline processes like prescription refills and the enhancement of digital services for easier interactions with Walgreens. During all of this, Brewer maintained her views on inclusion and worked to promote and create a workspace environment at Walgreens that encouraged employees to give feedback, as well as promoted diversity within the company by fostering opportunities for underrepresented groups. Unfortunately, during her tenure, the company’s stock price declined, and she agreed to step down in 2023, but her efforts and changes remain in place.

For now, Rosalind Brewer is enjoying her time working on the Board of Directors for United Airlines and is continuing her mission of inclusion and diversity for underrepresented communities. She is also actively involved in giving back, serving as the chairperson on the Board of Trustees for Spelman College and a Board Member of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her ethos and dedication are an inspiration for many years to come.

It is safe to say that these five women exemplify resilience, innovation, inclusion, and leadership, demonstrating that gender is no barrier to success in the world of business. It is easy to get lost in the headlines of what Bezos is doing or the new ideas of Cuban; but it is important to remember and research the progress made in gender diversity and celebrate those voices as well. As these women continue to make waves in their industries, they pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

Top Women in Business

Indra Nooyi

Jane Fraser

Abigail Johnson

Jessica Tan

Rosalind Brewer

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