This year, women across the globe have shaped societies, challenged norms, and driven transformative change. From political leaders and social activists to tech innovators and philanthropists, women are leaving an indelible mark on their communities and the world.
Here, we are sharing a list of some of 2025’s top female power players, highlighting the courage and vision that women’s leadership has in every sphere of life.
Claudia Sheinbaum
Mexican scientist and politician who made history as Mexico’s first female president, taking office on October 1, 2024 after a landslide election victory and building on her earlier leadership as mayor of Mexico City. In 2025, she has overseen major social investments and policies. She has stood up to US President Donald Trump and made a stand for women everywhere in her response to street sexual harassment.
Zahra Nader
Afghan journalist and human rights advocate who is the founder and editor‑in‑chief of Zan Times, an award‑winning exile newsroom reporting on human rights violations in Taliban‑controlled Afghanistan. As a Knight‑Wallace Press Freedom Fellow at the University of Michigan this year, she’s been working on sustainable business models for independent media while continuing to lead Zan Times and spotlight Afghan women’s rights under extreme conditions.
Maria Ressa
Filipino journalist, co‑founder and CEO of Rappler, who is internationally celebrated for her fearless investigative reporting on government abuses and disinformation, as well as a co‑recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for defending free expression as essential to democracy. In 2025, she was honored with the Rotary Peace Laureate Award for her ongoing fight for press freedom and social justice.
Lucy Liu
Co‑founder and President of fintech unicorn Airwallex, she has helped grow the company into a global payments powerhouse serving 150,000+ businesses and steering major funding rounds and international expansion. In 2025, under her leadership, Airwallex achieved one of the biggest capital raises ever in Australia, securing $US300 million ($467 million).
Geraldine Atkinson AO
A proud Bangerang/Wiradjuri leader who has spent over 40 years transforming Indigenous education and policy in Australia, including long‑time presidency of the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association and national advocacy for culturally grounded learning and self‑determination. In 2025, she was recognized on the King’s Birthday Honours list, being appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to Indigenous communities, education, First Nations self‑determination, and reconciliation.
Gisele Pelicot
French survivor and feminist icon who publicly waived her right to anonymity in the 2024 mass‑rape trial against her ex‑husband and 50 other men, helping secure convictions and ignite global debate on sexual violence and consent. In 2025, she was named a Knight of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian award, in recognition of her courage and impact in advancing women’s rights and social change.
Ursula von der Leyen
German politician and current President of the European Commission, she has led the EU through major initiatives on digital transformation, climate policy, and global diplomacy. In 2025, she continues to steer EU efforts on green energy, economic resilience, and international cooperation, while maintaining a focus on human rights.
Mira Murati
Albanian‑American tech leader and former Chief Technology Officer of OpenAI, where she helped drive development of transformative AI products. In 2025, she founded and became CEO of Thinking Machines Lab, an ambitious AI startup that raised a record‑breaking $2 billion seed round at around $12 billion valuation.
Julie Inman Grant
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, leading the world’s first government regulator dedicated to online safety and driving pioneering laws under the Online Safety Act to protect users, especially children, from harmful digital content. In 2025, she has taken a central role in implementing Australia’s social media age‑restriction regime for under‑16s and elevated global conversations on tech regulation and platform accountability.
Virginia Giuffre
An advocate for survivors of sex trafficking and one of the most prominent accusers of Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplices. In 2025, she died by suicide at age 41, and her posthumously published memoir “Nobody’s Girl” has sold over 1 million copies worldwide, amplifying her impact and spotlighting survivor justice and accountability.
MacKenzie Scott
One of America’s most generous philanthropists with over $26 billion given away in total, Scott is best known for her trust‑based, no‑strings‑attached giving to nonprofits, historically Black colleges and underserved communities since signing the Giving Pledge after her 2019 divorce from Jeff Bezos. In 2025, she donated a record‑breaking $7.1 billion to hundreds of organisations.
Sanae Takaichi
Japanese politician and first female Prime Minister of Japan, Takaichi was elected in October 2025 after a long career in the Liberal Democratic Party and multiple senior cabinet roles, marking a historic breakthrough in a traditionally male‑dominated political system. In 2025, her leadership has made her one of the most powerful and talked‑about figures in global politics, even as her conservative policy agenda generates debate at home and abroad.
Mary Fowler
Australian international footballer and star forward for Manchester City and the Matildas, renowned for her goals and assists in the Women’s Super League and on the world stage. In 2025, despite an ACL injury, she was voted PFA Young Women’s Footballer of the Year, and made history by becoming the first professional footballer to walk the runway at Paris Fashion Week for L’Oréal Paris, spotlighting women’s empowerment and expanding her influence beyond sport.
Yulia Navalnaya
Russian economist and political activist who, after the 2024 death of her husband Alexei Navalny, became a leading voice of the Russian opposition in exile, chairing both the Human Rights Foundation and the Anti‑Corruption Foundation to advance democracy and human rights. In 2025, she launched the Alexei Navalny Prize to honour courageous reformers, was named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women globally, received a 2025 Brigitte Award for courage and political commitment and has continued international campaigning for justice and democratic reform despite intense pressure from Russian authorities.