There is nothing more fascinating than a power woman. And it’s not just shady men who feel this way. Many of these power women have battled all odds, gender bias and sexual harassment at the workplace and sometimes at home, and in society too, to reach where they are. Forbes’ list of 100 Most Powerful Women is testimony to that. And the list features some fresh faces every single time. Here are 10 out of 19 newcomers on the Forbes list this year who made us sit up and take notice.
Ruth Porat
CFO, Google, U.S.
In this age of Internet, being the CFO of Google is quite something. But Ruth Porat is not new to the financial manoeuvering of power brokers for prior to her joining Google’s Silicon Valley office in May 2015, she was the CFO of Morgan Stanley, where she was regarded as Wall Street’s most powerful woman.
Loretta Lynch
U.S. Attorney General, U.S.
In April 2015, Lynch made U.S. history by becoming the first female African-American sworn in as Attorney General. Her appointment by Senate vote came five months after President Obama tapped her in November 2014.
Donna Langley, Age- 47
Chairperson, Universal Pictures, U.S.
Donna Langley is Hollywood’s answer to everybody griping that the world of motion pictures remains a man’s world. Chair of Universal Pictures since 2013, Langley is known as one of the most powerful female film execs in Hollywood. She is the driving force behind some of the studio’s most successful movies, like Furious 7, the first Universal film to earn more than $1 billion.
Katie Jacob Stanton, Age- 44
Vice President of Global Media, Twitter, U.S.
Information means power in this day and age. It therefore comes as no suprise why Stanton made it to this list. After serving as Twitter’s VP of international market development since 2010, Stanton was promoted to VP of global media in July 2014, where she now oversees the social media giant’s international and U.S. media divisions.
Taylor Swift, Age- 25
Musician-Philanthropist, U.S.
She may always be topping Billboard charts, but shaking it off at No.64 on the world’s 100 most powerful women list isn’t too bad either. Since the release of her career-launching album in 2006, Swift hasn’t been a stranger to the top of the charts or charities. After dropping platinum album 1989 and donating all earnings from hit single “Welcome to New York” to New York public schools, 2014 may be her most impressive year yet.”Such is her power,” Business Insider wrote, “Swift is one of the most followed celebrities on Twitter with 58 million followers. Forbes estimates her earnings last year were $64 million and there were rumours earlier this year that her legs were ensured for $40 million.”
Elizabeth Holmes, Age- 31
Founder-CEO, Theranos, U.S.
Holmes growth chart reads like a movie. This lady dropped out of Standford during her sophomore year to found Theranos, her blood testing company valued at $9 billion. She also became the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire in 2014, with a net worth of $4.6 billion. Truly wow!
Dana Walden, Age – 49
CEO, Fox Television Group, U.S.
It doesn’t get bigger than being the CEO of Fox Television group in the media business. In July 2014, Walden, then the CEO of 20th Century Fox, extended her job description to include overseeing Fox Broadcasting. In her new role as CEO of Fox Television Group, she now works jointly with long-time business partner Gary Newman. Media mogul in the making!
Fabiola Gianotti
Director-General, CERN, Italy
Remember the ‘God particle’ that filled the news for so long some months ago? Yes, she discovered it. Last year, in November 2014, this Italian physicist was named Director General of CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research. Gianotti, who will be the first female director, is set to take over in 2016.
Shobhana Bhartia
Chairperson, HT Media, India
Our very own homegrown media baroness, Bhartia inherited and transformed her father’s business, HT Media, into the leader that it is today, including India’s second most read daily newspaper, Hindustan Times. She also runs radio stations and websites and promotes education. The daughter of KK Birla, Bhartia’s chequered career also includes a stint in the Rajya Sabha as well as a Padma Shree Award nomination for journalism.
Raja Al Gurg
Managing Director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, U.A.E.
It’s no mean feat being a career woman in conservative UAE. To not only do that, but actually assume the position of managing director is quite something. Al Gurg is credited with the recent expansion of ESAG. A renowned businesswoman, she took the top spot on Forbes’ Middle East’s Most Powerful Arab Women list in 2014.
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