Do women have a place in the business technology world? Forbes has recently published a guide to the most powerful women in the world across top politicians, finance and business leaders — all ranked by money, media momentum, spheres of influence and impact.
Here’s the top 4:
#4 Dilma Rousseff (President, Brazil)
One of the world’s most powerful heads of state, Rousseff is more than halfway through her term as president of Brazil, the world’s seventh-largest national economy with a GDP of nearly $2.4 trillion. The country just hosted World Cup 2014 and will be hosting the Olympic Games in 2016.
#3 Melinda Gates (Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
Melinda Gates has cemented her dominance in philanthropy and global development to the tune of $3.4 billion in giving in 2012 and more than $26 billion in grant commitments since she founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with her husband in 1998.
#2 Janet Yellen (Chair, US Federal Reserve)
She is the first woman to head the most influential central bank in the world, given the size of the Fed’s balance sheet ($4 trillion) relative to the U.S. GDP ($16.7 trillion). Top of her to-do list: maximize employment. “Too many Americans still can’t find a job and worry how they’ll pay their bills and provide for their families,” she said at her White House nomination.
#1 Angela Merkel (Chancellor, Germany)
Fresh off a sweeping re-election last year, Chancellor Merkel has continued to be a crucial ally to the U.S. on global issues such as the crisis in Ukraine. The world’s most powerful woman for nine of the past 10 years, Merkel broke through the ranks of Germany’s male-dominated politics to become the first woman to serve as Chancellor, a position she has held since 2005. Merkel is an original architect of the 28-member European Union with a GDP of $15.8 trillion.
Women business leaders inspire other women to pursue their dreams. They may also find it easier to balance work and family outside the traditional corporate world. In emerging markets, women reinvest 90% of their earnings in their families and communities—which means that investing in women is an investment in our collective future. Here’s how we can help:
- First, access to capital. When it comes to finance, women face particular hurdles, from a lack of collateral to discriminatory regulations and ingrained gender bias. Small loans can make a big difference. Financial institutions must do a better job of banking on women’s potential by thinking creatively and forging partnerships
- Second, access to business advisors. Most women don’t have support from business mentors or trusted advisors that can steer them through areas they are unsure about. Whether you own a restaurant or design clothing, you face some of the same challenges and can learn from each other.
- Third, access to entrepreneurial education. Research shows women doubt their capabilities and fear failure more than men. Training can equip women with the confidence to see bold ideas through. Goldman Sachs’s 10,000 Women programme, for example, provides underserved women with business and management education.
Success Resources will be doing our part and hosting the first-ever Excel Women’s Conference on September 2014 to address these pressing needs so that women can grow into the entrepreneurs they have the potential to be.
To reserve your seats, CLICK HERE or call Amanda @ 016-2133855 to redeem your tickets!