The competition to be listed among Fortune’s Most Powerful Women just got a little tougher this year. In recognition of how global business is becoming, Fortune decided to compile a list of top local and international women leaders.
Still, in some ways, this year’s top 10 list is similar to last year’s, with a few exceptions.
Coming in at No. 1 for the second year in a row is CVS Health President and CEO. During CEO Karen Lynch’s time leading the top female-led Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies — she took the helm in February 2021 — the company’s revenue increased 9% and its stock price gains (42%) outperformed the S&P 500’s performance. CVS, meanwhile, remains a central player in the fight. Covid and Lynch implemented a mental health program to prevent suicide among grandparents.
Ranking closely behind Lynch is again Julie Sweet, chairman and CEO of Accenture (No. 2). Jane Fraser, CEO of CT (No. 3); and Mary Barra Chairman and CEO, GM (No. 4).
But the number 5 spot went to Jessica Tan, co-founder and CEO Ping An Insurance (Group) is a Chinese company, Ltd., which is the 25th largest company in the world. Fortune reports that despite China’s Covid-19 lockdowns and “maligned consumer sentiment,” Ping An said Tan’s leadership beat expectations for the first half of 2022 and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Also in Fortune’s top 10 newcomers list last year is Emma Walmsley, CEO of global drugmaker GSK. She spun off her company’s $13 billion consumer health division. “This will allow GSK, now exclusively focused on pharma, to invest in more lucrative drug and vaccine candidates,” Fortune reported.
Two executives dropped out of last year’s top 10: Tashunda Brown Duckett; President and CEO of TIAA; and Ruth Porat, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Alphabet. But none of them remained, number 11 and 12 respectively.
Here are the top 10 female executives on Fortune’s 2022 Most Powerful Women list:
1. Karen Lynch, President and CEO, CVS Health
2. Julie Sweet, chair and CEO, Accenture
3. Jane Fraser, CEO, Citigroup
4. Mary Barra Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GM
5. Jessica Tan Executive Director and CEO Ping An Insurance
6. Carol Tome, CEO, UPS
7. Rosalind Brewer, CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance
8. Emma Wolseley, CEO of GSK
9. Gail Boudreaux, President and CEO, Elevance Health
10. Abigail Johnson, Chairman and CEO, Fidelity Investments
(For more on each executive, Fortune is here. The full list of the top 50 The most powerful women in business. Please note the subscription required.)
