Throughout history, women have fought to break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and make their mark on the world. In 2024, we see more women than ever before rising to positions of power and influence across politics, business, philanthropy, and culture.

These trailblazing women are reshaping industries, driving change, and inspiring millions around the globe. In this article, we’ll spotlight the 20 most powerful women in the world in 2024 and explore how they’ve achieved such remarkable success and influence.

2024’s Top 20 Influential Women: Leaders Shaping Our World

1. Ursula von der Leyen

President of the European Commission As the first woman to hold the EU’s top job, Ursula von der Leyen wields immense political and economic influence over the 27 member nations. Since taking office in 2019, the former German defense minister has steered the EU through major crises like Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine with a steady hand. Von der Leyen is leading the charge on critical issues like digitization, climate change, and strengthening Europe’s role on the global stage.

2. Kamala Harris

Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris made history in 2020 by becoming the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American to be elected U.S. Vice President. As VP, she’s taken the lead on key issues like voting rights, immigration, space policy and more. With President Biden not seeking re-election,  Kamala Harris is considered the frontrunner to become the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024, potentially positioning her to become the most powerful person in the world.

3. Christine Lagarde

President of the European Central Bank As head of the ECB, Christine Lagarde is one of the most influential figures in global finance, overseeing monetary policy for the 19 countries that use the euro. The former head of the IMF, Lagarde, has helped navigate the eurozone through inflation and economic headwinds. Her leadership in promoting green finance, digital currencies, and inclusive growth is shaping the future of money.

4. Mary Barra

CEO of General Motors Mary Barra made history in 2014 when she became the first female CEO of a major global automaker. She’s led GM through a remarkable transformation, investing heavily in electric vehicles, self-driving cars, and other emerging technologies. Under her leadership, GM aims to phase out gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Barra ranks among the most powerful women in business, overseeing a Fortune 500 giant with over $127 billion in revenue.

5. Tsai Ing-wen

President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen is the first woman elected president of Taiwan and the first unmarried president in Asia. She’s stood strong in the face of increasing military pressure from China, bolstering Taiwan’s defense capabilities while deftly managing U.S. relations. Tsai has also enacted major domestic reforms on issues like energy, social welfare, LGBTQ+ rights, and transitional justice for Taiwan’s indigenous peoples.

6. Karen Lynch

CEO of CVS Health With over 300,000 employees and nearly $270 billion in revenue, CVS Health is a true healthcare behemoth – and Karen Lynch is steering the ship. Assuming the CEO role in 2021, Lynch has continued CVS’s evolution from a pharmacy chain to an integrated health solutions company. From its pivotal role in COVID-19 testing and vaccines to its expansion of in-store HealthHUB clinics, CVS under Lynch aims to transform how people access healthcare.

7. MacKenzie Scott

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has redefined modern philanthropy, giving away over $12 billion (and counting) since her 2019 divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Rather than attaching onerous strings or seeking publicity, Scott has prioritized large, unrestricted grants to hundreds of underfunded non-profits, especially those serving marginalized communities. With an estimated net worth still exceeding $30 billion, Scott is poised to deepen her immense philanthropic impact for years to come.

8. Jacinda Ardern

Prime Minister of New Zealand Though she stepped down in 2023, Jacinda Ardern unquestionably remains one of the most influential women in the world. Becoming New Zealand’s PM at age 37, Ardern won global acclaim for her empathetic and decisive leadership through crises like the Christchurch shooting, the White Island volcano eruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic. A tireless advocate for families, climate action, and mental health, Ardern demonstrated a new model of compassionate leadership in action.

9. Melinda French Gates

Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Even after her high-profile divorce from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates remains an incredibly influential philanthropist. Through the Gates Foundation, she’s channeled billions toward causes like global health, poverty reduction, and gender equality. Post-divorce, French Gates has redoubled her focus on empowering women and girls through her company, Pivotal Ventures and other giving.

10. Jane Fraser

CEO of Citigroup In 2021, Jane Fraser shattered Wall Street’s ultimate glass ceiling, becoming the first woman to lead a major U.S. bank. At the helm of Citigroup, she manages over $2.3 trillion in assets and operations in over 100 countries. Fraser is steering Citi through a major transformation, shedding international retail banking to focus on wealth management and institutional clients. Her leadership is blazing a trail for women across finance.

Most Powerful Women in the World 2024: Top 10 Table

11. Giorgia Meloni

Prime Minister of Italy In 2022, Giorgia Meloni made history by becoming Italy’s first female Prime Minister. As leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, Meloni has stirred controversy with her populist politics. But she’s also worked to soften her image and broker compromises with the EU on key economic issues. Meloni’s leadership of the Eurozone’s third largest economy makes her a major player on the global stage.

12. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been shattering glass ceilings her entire career. In 2021, the former Nigerian Finance Minister became the first woman and first African to lead the influential World Trade Organization. Okonjo-Iweala has focused on expanding global access to COVID-19 vaccines, promoting sustainable trade, and restoring trust in the WTO. Her leadership is helping to shape the future of international commerce.

13. Samia Suluhu Hassan

President of Tanzania Following the death of President John Magufuli in 2021, Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as Tanzania’s first female president. Hassan has brought a more open and cooperative approach, working to improve Tanzania’s global reputation and relationships with the U.S., EU, and international bodies like the IMF. She’s also expanded women’s representation in government and invested in education for girls.

14. Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has served as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister since 2009, becoming the longest-serving PM in the nation’s history. Hasina has led Bangladesh through a period of remarkable growth, with GDP expanding by over 7% annually. She’s lifted millions of people out of poverty through investments in education, health, and women’s empowerment. However, Hasina has also faced criticism for increasingly authoritarian tendencies and crackdowns on opposition.

15. Eletha Charles-Coll

Director-General of CERN In 2024, Eletha Charles-Coll became the first woman and first person of African descent to lead CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. A renowned particle physicist from Trinidad & Tobago, Charles-Coll oversees groundbreaking research into the fundamental building blocks of the universe. Her leadership at CERN is helping to enhance global scientific cooperation and inspire a new generation of diverse STEM talent.

16. Kimberly Bryant

Founder and CEO of Black Girls Code, Kimberly Bryant, is transforming the tech industry through Black Girls Code, the non-profit she founded in 2011 to teach girls of color computer science and programming skills. BGC has reached over 30,000 students across 15 countries, helping to create a pipeline of diverse STEM talent. In 2024, Bryant published her first book and launched a major initiative with tech giants to make coding education accessible to 1 million girls worldwide.

17. Mahsa Amini

Inspiration for Women, Life, and the Freedom Movement Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, died in police custody in 2022 after being arrested for improperly wearing her hijab. Her death sparked the Women, Life, and Freedom protest movement against Iran’s theocratic regime. Though she did not live to see 2024, Amini’s legacy continues to inspire the courageous Iranian women who risk everything to march for their rights and freedoms. Amini’s sacrifice encapsulates the transformative power of women’s resistance.

18. Serena Williams

Tennis Legend & Venture Investor Though she hung up her racket in 2022, Serena Williams remains one of the most powerful and influential women in sports. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Williams is widely regarded as the tennis GOAT. In “retirement,”  she’s expanded her focus on Serena Ventures, an early stage VC firm that invests in diverse founders. Williams also continues to be a vocal advocate for gender and racial equality in athletics, business, and beyond.

19. Anu Aga

Indian billionaire & philanthropist Anu Aga is one of India’s wealthiest women, but it’s her immense philanthropy that earns her a spot on this list. After turning around Thermax, her late husband’s energy tech company, Aga stepped away from business to focus on social causes. With a focus on education, health and women’s rights, Aga has positively impacted the lives of thousands of Dalits (members of India’s lowest castes) and tribal groups. She’s also a vocal advocate for secularism and religious tolerance.

20. Sara Menker

Founder & CEO of Gro Intelligence Sara Menker is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges – hunger, climate change, and supply chain resilience. Gro Intelligence, the company Menker founded in 2014, has built a powerful AI platform that analyzes trillions of data points to deliver agricultural insights and climate risk assessments. With clients spanning governments, agribusinesses, and NGOs, Menker is helping to revolutionize how we feed the world sustainably.

Predicting the most powerful women in 10 years is a challenging task, as many factors can influence an individual’s rise to power. However, based on current trends, responsibilities, net worth, and success rates, here is a speculative table of the 10 most powerful women in 2034:

Please note that this table is purely speculative and based on current information and trends. Many other factors, such as geopolitical changes, economic shifts, and personal circumstances, can greatly influence an individual’s path to power over the next decade.