Female leaders break barriers, inspiring others to pursue dreams. Here are 15 who redefine success.
Women today are breaking the glass ceiling across all sectors to reach the top. In the process, these female leaders inspire millions of men and women to overcome challenges, balance personal and professional lives, and follow their dreams.
Here are 15 inspirational female leaders who can push you to reach new heights beyond your boundaries.
When you think of famous female leaders in history, Kamala Harris is one name that always crosses your mind. She was the first person of color to become the Vice-President of the United States. Before this, Harris was the first South Asian woman elected to the Senate and the first person of color to become the Attorney General of California. As she continues pursuing her ambitions with intelligence and tenacity, Kamala Harris inspires millions worldwide to dream big and pursue the2
Melinda Gates is the former wife of Bill Gates and a famous female leader known for her role in empowering women and boosting equality across many corporate and non-corporate spaces. She has been the force behind Pivotal Ventures, which is responsible for fighting for the LGBT community, providing paid leave for women, access to mental healthcare, and more. Despite her affluent background, she used her resources well to bring a change in the areas that matter and gender diversity.
Michelle Obama is among the most inspiring First Ladies of the United States. Her speeches and actions have touched the lives of millions of people worldwide. Her confidence, hard work, and dedication empower many girls to believe in themselves and work towards their dreams.
Angela Merkel was the first female Chancellor of Germany, reigned for 16 years. She also won the Forbes “World’s Most Powerful Woman” award for 10 years. As one of female world leaders and a climate change advocate, her strength and unwavering loyalty pave the way for many young politicians to follow.
Indra Nooyi was the first woman of color and Asian descent to lead a Fortune 500 company. During her tenure at the top, she led many mergers and acquisitions, handled challenges, and pivoted the company toward profitability. As one of famous female business leaders, her business acumen and quick decision-making are valuable lessons for today’s youngsters.
Kathrin Jansen heads vaccine research at Pfizer. During the COVID pandemic, she was given the impossible task of developing a vaccine in less than a year. Using her astute leadership and embracing risks, she gave the world the life-saving vaccine in record time, proving that anything is possible with self-belief. One of her kind in the scope of women in leadership!
As the first female president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-Wen was a formidable force who stood up for her country’s democracy during turbulent times. As the only female leader to lead a nation without being related to any male leader, this single woman powered her way to the top with a calmness that made her a memorable leader.
Naomi Osaka was one of the foremost tennis players and a three-time Grand Slam champion. She has inspired a Manga character and is well-known for standing up against racial discrimination. She has used her popularity to create awareness on many issues and has become a social activist today.
Shonda Rhimes is a well-known producer and screenwriter of American television. She is notable for shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Bridgerton, and more. She also attacked body shaming vociferously and was primarily responsible for the society to accept women today, regardless of their body shape and size.
Rachel Hollis is a renowned author, speaker, blogger, podcaster, and mother of four children. She talks about issues that women the world over face, primarily related to their changing bodies, parenting, stress, postpartum depression, and more. She encourages women to seek help when they face such changes.
Sports ownership is often seen as a male bastion, but Cynthia Marshall has proved it wrong. She was the first black woman to lead an NBA team and was instrumental in creating an inclusive environment. Despite her losses, like facing domestic abuse, cancer diagnosis, and the loss of her child, she prodded on. Her attitude and perseverance are an inspiration to the world today.
Jacinda Ardern was the youngest female leader to head New Zealand. Within a year, she became a mother and managed the country with a daughter on her lap, inspiring millions of mothers to balance their personal and professional lives. Moreover, her ability to resign from her position and the honesty behind it has captured the hearts of many in New Zealand and beyond.
Christine Lagard broke many records as France’s first female finance minister, President of IMF, and President of ECB. Known for her astute finances and a keen sense of economic understanding, she was instrumental in balancing Europe’s financial systems. She is also known to stand for gender equality, paving the way for more women to follow suit.
Melanie Perkins is the best example of a person who built a company to solve a problem she faced! As a student, it took her an entire semester to learn graphic design, and with this experience, she decided to make graphic design fun and easy for everyone. Today, she is one of the youngest CEOs in the world and someone who took her company to $1 billion in just six years!
Shani Danda was born with a brittle bone disorder, a genetic disorder that caused her bones to be fragile. She broke her leg six times before she turned 14! But she changed her disability to strength backed by a fierce spirit to demand change. She founded the Asian Disability Network, which enabled more disabled people to find work opportunities. Also, she was instrumental in launching the Diversability Card in the U.K., a discount card for the disabled that reduced their financial pressures.
These female leaders bring a fresh perspective to their respective areas of expertise. Their journeys and speeches can motivate your audience to pave their unique paths.
If you are searching for a female leader to give an inspiring speech at your upcoming event, we can help. We represent a vast network of talented women motivational speakers who can deliver a speech that will leave your audience motivated and inspired. Please feel free to contact us to learn more about female leaders and how we can help you make your event a resounding success.