Women in the C-Suite – International Women’s Day 2025
On Saturday, March 8th, the world will mark International Women’s Day. The international day is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution women have made to the world while also raising awareness of the women’s rights movement and the continued need to work towards full equality.
That’s certainly true in the business world and in public companies that are traded on the global capital markets. Recent data show that less than 15% of Fortune 500 companies are led by a woman CEO.
The need for more diverse and women-led leadership teams has also achieved additional focus and prominence through the rise of ESG analysis, an increasingly popular way to measure companies according to the way they impact society and the environment, with the “S” standing for social factors including workforce diversity.
While there is still much work to be done, progress has been made and women now play a far more prominent role in senior management positions than in the past. In fact, as we analyze various industry sectors there are several public companies that have female CEOs even though they are operating in stereotypically male fields.
For example, some of the biggest defense companies in the U.S. are being led by powerful women. Phebe Novakovic, CEO of General Dynamics (who played a key role in the development of the F-16), and Kathy Warden, CEO of Northrop Grumman (who produced the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, one of the most iconic aircraft in the U.S. Air Force), are leading the charge, showcasing the growing presence of women in top leadership positions within aerospace and defense.
In the energy sector, Vicki Hollub is the CEO of Occidental Petroleum, one of the largest oil and gas companies in the U.S. She made history as the first woman to lead a major U.S. oil company and is known for her bold leadership style in an industry traditionally dominated by men.
The automotive industry is also often associated with male stereotypes. However, Mary Barra is the Chair and CEO of General Motors, making her the first woman to lead a major global automaker. Barra’s leadership has been pivotal in steering GM through the complex and rapidly evolving automotive landscape, focusing on electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving technology.
In the finance space, Jane Fraser became the first female CEO of a major U.S. bank, Citigroup, in 2021. Fraser’s appointment marked a significant milestone in the finance industry, as she broke the glass ceiling in one of the most male-dominated sectors.
The examples above are proof that stereotypes are just that, and that women can thrive in any industry. Beyond those mentioned above, we wanted to highlight additional female led companies to show the broad inroads women have made into multiple industry categories.
Highlighting Women-led Companies on International Women’s Day 2025
Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI)
Kinder Morgan, led by CEO Kimberly A. Dang since 2023, operates pipelines transporting natural gas, crude oil, and other energy products.
Fun Fact 💙: Kinder Morgan owns and operates approximately 70,000 miles of pipelines.
Expedia Group, Inc. (EXPE)
Expedia, led by CEO Ariane Gorin since 2024, provides online travel booking services.
Fun Fact 💙: Expedia Group owns several well-known travel brands, including Hotels.com and Orbitz.
The Hershey Company (HSY)
Hershey, led by CEO Michele G. Buck since 2017, manufactures chocolate and confectionery products.
Fun Fact 💙: Hershey’s Kisses were introduced in 1907 and are among the company’s most iconic products.
El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. (ELAL)
El Al, led by CEO Dina Ben Tal Ganancia since 2022, operates commercial passenger flights and cargo services.
Fun Fact 💙: El Al is known for its high-security standards and was the first airline to introduce sky marshals on flights.
Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH)
Parker-Hannifin, based in Cleveland, Ohio, designs motion and control technologies.
Fun Fact 💙: Parker-Hannifin’s products are used in everything from space exploration to Formula 1 racing.
Taylor Morrison Home Corporation (TMHC)
Taylor Morrison, led by CEO Sheryl D. Palmer since 2007, builds and sells residential homes.
Fun Fact 💙: Taylor Morrison was named the 2020 Builder of the Year by Builder Magazine.
Dutch Bros Inc. (BROS)
Dutch Bros, led by CEO Christine Barone since 2023, operates a chain of drive-thru coffee shops..
Fun Fact 💙: Was founded by two brothers, Dane and Travis Boersma, who originally started the company with a single pushcart in 1992.
These companies, and the women who lead them, are just a small part of the incredible role women play in the global business world. So on this day, we want to mark their achievement and hope many more will follow in their footsteps.
