Top 5 Influential Female Leaders of Our Time

WomELLE Top 5 Influential Female Leaders of 2023?

Throughout history, women have made significant contributions to society, and their impact can be seen in all aspects of life. However, for a long time, women were often overlooked and undervalued in leadership positions. Despite their challenges, many remarkable women have broken through the glass ceiling and become influential leaders in their respective fields.??

From technology to business to science, women have shown they can lead with strength, compassion, and determination. Throughout March, we have been celebrating the inspiring achievements of influential female leaders who have made a significant impact on the world. Their stories serve as a testament to the fact that women have the power to change the world and inspire future generations of women to pursue their dreams. Join us as we explore the remarkable accomplishments of these incredible women and learn from their insights on leadership, perseverance, and success.?

Kaci King is the CEO of West Ohio Tool , a family-owned and operated business specializing in manufacturing cutting tools. With over 25 years of experience in various roles, Kaci is responsible for driving the organization's mission, vision, and operations. She and her husband, Rea, recently took over day-to-day operations and successfully navigated through the manufacturing shutdowns during the pandemic. Under their leadership, the business saw tremendous growth in quotes won, number of customers quoted, EdgeX4 sales, and innovative solutions provided.

Kaci is also passionate about giving back to the community and has launched several programs to do so. She is an advocate for philanthropy and helps her daughter with Wardrobe Wranglin', a costume class that raises funds for Make-A-Wish. Kaci is an animal lover and trains her rescue Rottweiler and Australian Shepard for AKC certifications. She is also a restorative yoga teacher and enjoys traveling to National Parks and experiencing different cultures. She is the author of a book titled "Light Will Emerge" about her journey advocating for her children through numerous surgeries, including life-saving ones with Dr. Ben Carson.?

Jennifer Swanson is an accomplished author, and founder of KidLiteracy, inc , a nonprofit that combines digital media, literacy, and STEM/STEAM education to expand children's literacy and prepare them with the skills for tomorrow. She has written over 45 nonfiction books for kids and has been tapped to write the second children's title in the New York Times bestselling Atlas Obscura series. Jennifer is also the co-host of the Solve It! For Kids podcast, which has become the most downloaded path on Kinzoo Messenger, a host for NASA/Hubble and Nickelodeon. She is an accomplished speaker and has presented at various events and schools around the country, including the National NSTA conferences and the Library of Congress' National Book Festival.?

Sarah Wills Carlsson is a multicultural expert who has been fascinated by cultures and languages since her childhood. She started her international career by studying abroad in St. Brieuc, France, and later earned an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University, focusing on sociology, languages, culture, and economics. She went on to pursue a Master in Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University, where she continued to combine technical, international, and interpersonal studies. After graduating from Stanford, Sarah worked at Aptiv in various countries, where she received recognition for her work as a bridge across cultures. She later started her own company Nspir AB and Nspir Learning LLC , where she consults on improving human interactions and global organizations, including through her training program, How and Why We Misunderstand Each Other (HWWMEO).?

Catherine Kerr is a highly experienced CEO, founder, warrior coach and keynote speaker. With over 24 years of experience in sales, consulting and facilitation, Catherine has a diverse background, including entrepreneurship, boxing, theatre, and a Master's Degree in Education with a specialty in Counselling Psychology. She has also coached Olympic athletes on the power of mindset. Catherine's company, Kerrageous Inc., offers advanced performance training for leaders who want to maximize their results and up-level their performance. Catherine has developed a unique and impactful 'Warrior Development Plan' that challenges and inspires leaders and their teams to develop the mindset and behaviors of a warrior to conquer all challenges.?

Madhu Gulati is the CEO of Marrina Decisions, a Marketing Technology Entrepreneur, and thought leader in the MarTech industry. With over two decades of experience in the marketing field and a background in commerce, law, and business administration, Madhu is an expert in developing innovative solutions that help B2B companies optimize their ROI. As the visionary behind MartechPulse, she has created a community for MarTech and marketing ops professionals to come together, learn about the latest trends and technologies, and exchange ideas. Madhu's Flawless Marketing Operations Methodology has benefited several leading companies, including Google, Infoblox, Captricity, Xero, and SAP. She has also been a speaker at various conferences, including Marketo Roadshows, Marketing 2.0, and CEO summits, earning her recognition as one of the most respected evangelists in the new world of flawless marketing operations function.?

The influential female leaders we have highlighted this year have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and have made significant contributions to society. They have overcome numerous obstacles and shattered glass ceilings, inspiring future generations of women to pursue their dreams and break barriers. They serve as role models for women everywhere, reminding us that we are capable of achieving greatness, and our voices matter. As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, let us honor the remarkable accomplishments of these influential female leaders and use their examples to inspire us to create a better world for ourselves and future generations.?