Top 10 Most Powerful Women

 

As of late December 2025, the global distribution of power has undergone a significant transformation, particularly with the arrival of the first female Prime Minister of Japan and the consolidation of female leadership in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector.

The following report details the Top 10 Most Powerful Women as determined by economic impact, media footprint, and strategic influence.

1. Ursula von der Leyen

Role: President of the European Commission

Influence: Ranking first for several consecutive years, von der Leyen manages the executive branch of the European Union. In 2025, her power is anchored in her enforcement of the EU AI Act, which has become the global benchmark for tech regulation, and her leadership in the "Green Deal" transition across the 27-nation bloc.

2. Christine Lagarde

Role: President of the European Central Bank

Influence: As the primary architect of European monetary policy, Lagarde navigates the economy of the Eurozone. Her influence in 2025 is critical in stabilizing interest rates post-inflation and driving the "Green Finance" initiative, which directs trillions in global capital toward sustainable infrastructure.

3. Sanae Takaichi

Role: Prime Minister of Japan

Influence: A historic newcomer to the top of the list, Takaichi was elected in October 2025 as Japan’s first female Prime Minister. She governs the world’s fourth-largest economy (a $4.2 trillion GDP) with a focus on "economic security," specifically securing semiconductor supply chains and modernizing Japan’s defense posture.

4. Giorgia Meloni

Role: Prime Minister of Italy

Influence: Meloni continues to be a dominant conservative voice within the G7 and the European Union. In 2025, she has been a key power broker in Mediterranean energy deals, positioning Italy as a central hub for green hydrogen and natural gas flowing from Africa to Europe.

5. Claudia Sheinbaum

Role: President of Mexico

Influence: Having completed her first full year in office, Sheinbaum oversees the world’s 12th-largest economy. Her 2025 power is rooted in the "Nearshoring" boom, as Mexico has officially surpassed China as the top trading partner for the United States, placing her at the center of North American manufacturing.

6. Julie Sweet

Role: Chair and CEO of Accenture

Influence: Leading a workforce of over 700,000 employees, Sweet is the most powerful woman in professional services. In 2025, Accenture has been the primary consultant for Fortune 500 companies attempting to integrate Generative AI into their core operations, giving her a unique view into the digital transformation of global business.

7. Mary Barra

Role: Chair and CEO of General Motors

Influence: Barra’s power remains tied to the global automotive transition. In 2025, she successfully pivoted GM's strategy to balance EV growth with software-defined vehicles, maintaining GM’s status as a leading industrial giant while competing directly with Silicon Valley tech.

8. Jane Fraser

Role: CEO of Citigroup

Influence: As the head of the most international bank in the world, Fraser oversees operations in 160 countries. In 2025, her influence has been felt through her aggressive restructuring of Citi, streamlining the bank to focus on high-growth wealth management and global trade services.

9. Abigail Johnson

Role: Chair and CEO of Fidelity Investments

Influence: Johnson controls nearly $5 trillion in assets under management. Her influence in 2025 has expanded through Fidelity’s early and dominant entry into crypto-asset management and AI-driven retail investing tools, which have reshaped how millions of people manage their wealth.

10. Lisa Su

Role: Chair and CEO of AMD

Influence: Su enters the Top 10 in 2025 due to the AI semiconductor race. By securing a multi-billion dollar agreement with OpenAI and Microsoft to supply high-end AI chips, she has broken the "chip bottleneck," making her one of the most critical figures in the global technology supply chain.