The final Summer Series event of this year, Grab a Drink with CEOs, connected the Step Up community for a conversation with Co-Founder + CEO of Birdies Bianca Gates, Founder + CEO of Skylar Cat Chen, and Founder + Board Chairman of 24 Seven Talent Celeste Gudas. Step Up CEO Delores Morton led the exclusive conversation, which offered insights into the panelists' path to the c-suite and experiences as women in leadership.
In case you missed it, or just want to experience our summer series conversation again, check out the recording on our YouTube Channel!
And since we were so impressed by this group of powerhouse leaders, we wanted to highlight a few more trailblazing women CEOs who will likely also leave you feeling inspired!
Women CEOs to Watch
Jane Fraser
CEO, Citigroup
Image source: Leadership Team - Jane Fraser | Citi (citigroup.com)
"When you get a job, you don't think of this in terms of: 'OK, I'm a woman getting a job. You think about: What is it that the company needs today? What needs to be the same? I certainly have a different style, but I don't think it's necessarily so much gender-related."
In 2020, Jane Fraser was named CEO of Citigroup, making her the first female CEO in the firm's history, and the first woman to lead one of Wall Street's four major banks. Throughout her more than 16 year tenure with Citi, Fraser has navigated a variety of roles and departments that shaped her into the powerhouse leader she is today. She is known as a leader who "gets stuff done" and a "fixer," and has been recognized for two consecutive years on the list of "The Most Powerful Women to Watch" by American Banker (Business Chief). Despite her impressive track record, she maintains that "there is some crazy pressure on women, and on men, to almost be superwoman or superman, and that's just not realistic... you can have it all, but don't expect to have it at exactly the same time" (CNBC). Prior to Citigroup, Fraser was with consulting group McKinsey, working part time for five to six years while her children were young. Her career began at the age of 20 when she joined the mergers and acquisitions office at Goldman Sachs in London. Fraser obtained a bachelor's in economics from Cambridge University, and an M.B.A. at Harvard Business School. She is currently the vice chair for partnership for New York City, as well as a member of the Harvard Business School's Board of Dean's Advisors, Stanford Global Advisory Board, the Economic Club of New York and the Council on Foreign Relations.
Karen Lynch
president and CEO, CVS Health
Image source: Karen S. Lynch | CVS Health
"I encourage all women to be true to themselves. To refuse to settle, to follow their passion, and to bring their authentic selves to every role they have."
Karen Lynch took over as president and CEO of CVS Health in 2021, making it the highest-earning business run by a woman. Prior to becoming CEO, she was executive vice president, CVS Health and president of Aetna. During 2020, Lynch took charge of the company's Covid response and led it to operating the largest number of independently-run Covid testing sites. She has been recognized in Fortune's "Most Powerful Women in Business" for the last five years, and in 2020 on Forbes' list of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women." This impressive career trajectory has been motivated by personal tragedies experienced during her childhood, and a resulting determination to transform health care to "become more accessible and inclusive of mental health" (Forbes). Early in her career, she found that her "femininity was a problem" during the hiring process, but looked to the "strength and perseverance" demonstrated by mentors such as her aunt to ultimately land her first senior position.
Lynch previously held executive positions at Cigna and Magellan Health Services, and began her career as a certified public accountant at Ernst & Young. She now serves on the Bboard of U.S. Bancorp, as an advisory board member of IBM Watson Health, and on the Boston College Women's Council. She obtained an accounting degree and Certificate Public Accountant certification from Boston College Carroll School of Management, and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Boston University's Questrom School of Business.
Rosalind "Roz" Brewer
CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Image source: Rosalind Brewer | Walgreens Boots Alliance
"I would have hoped that by now it's boring... it signals to me every time that my work, our work, is never done" - on how much attention she has received for the barriers she's broken.
Recognized by both Forbes and Fortune on their respective lists of the Most Powerful Women, Roz Brewer has overcome significant barriers throughout her career and achieved more than one first for Black women. In January 2021, Brewer was named CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, making her not only Walgreens' first female CEO, but one of only two Black women leading an S&P 500 company (along with Thasunda Ducckett Brown, highlighted below). Brewer most recently served as chief operating officer and group president at Starbucks. She previously held the position of president and CEO of Sam's Club, a membership-only warehouse channel of Walmart, making her the first woman and first Black woman to lead a Walmart division. Prior to Walmart, Brewer spent 22 years at Kimberly-Clark, starting in management positions and later serving as president of global nonwovens division for Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Brewer is "known for building strong teams, inspiring mentoring networks, and having a passion for improving communities." (Spelman College). She currently serves as chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Spelman College and as a board member of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African-American History and Culture. Brewer earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Spelman College and attended Wharton's Advanced Management Program and Stanford University's Directors' College.
Thasunda Brown Duckett
president and CEO, TIAA
Image source: Thasunda Brown Duckett, President & CEO | TIAA
"I have so much gratitude for all the shoulders I stand on."
Born in Rochester, New York, and raised in Texas, Thasunda Brown Duckett's humble upbringing inspired her to pursue a career dedicated to educating others about the importance of financial literacy and diversifying the pipeline of talent entering the field. In February 2021, Duckett became the second Black woman to currently lead a Fortune 500 firm (accompanying Walgreens CEO Roz Brewer, highlighted above). Duckett was previously CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, where she "served as executive sponsor of JPMorgan Chase's Advancing Black Pathways program, an initiative focused on helping Black Americans close historical achievement gaps in wealth, education and career opportunities," as well as "committee leader for bank's Women on the Move Initiative that provides financial education to women, as well as career and business opportunities." (CNBC). Duckett's career started with Fannie Mae, where she led the implementation of national strategies designed to increase homeownership among Black and Hispanic Americans. She serves on the boards of NIKE, Inc., Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Sesame Workshop, National Medal of Honor Museum, Economic Club of New York, University of Houston Board of Visitors and Dean's Advisory Board for the Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Jack and Jill of America Inc. Duckett founded the Rosie and Otis Brown Foundation, in honor of her parents, to recognize and reward people who use ordinary means to empower and uplift their community in extraordinary ways. She holds a Bachelor's in finance and marketing from University of Houston and an MBA from Baylor University.
Sue Y. Nabi
CEO, Coty Inc.
Image source: Sue Y. Nabi | coty.com
Sue Y. Nabi is an Algerian-born, French entrepreneur and innovator in the global beauty industry. In 2020, Nabi was named CEO of Coty Inc, making her one of only two female CEOs among the top-10 beauty manufacturers (Vogue UK). Coty sells beauty products in 150+ countries, with a notable portfolio including Burberry, CoverGirl, Marc Jacobs Fragrances, and KKW Beauty. Nabi is also co-founder and former CEO of luxury vegan brand Orveda, a genderless, empowering, new-age skincare range. Prior to founding Orveda, Nabi was president of L'Oreal for 20 years, the youngest to hold this position in the company's history. During her time, she was tasked with reviving Lancôme, which she did successfully via breakthrough product and brand successes resulting in double-digit growth in both makeup and skincare (businesswire). Among her many notable accomplishments, Nabi signed Julia Roberts as the face of the famous 'La Vie Est Belle' fragrance, and evolved the L'Oreal Paris slogan into the more inclusive "Because we're worth it." Throughout her career, Nabi, a transgender woman, has been a champion for diversity in terms of age, race, and gender, and can be directly credited with increased diversity in casting for both L'Oreal and Lancôme campaigns. In the words of Coty's executive chairman, "Sue is renowned as a visionary and ongoing game-changer whose outstanding creativity is celebrated in the beauty industry." (Global Cosmetics News). Nabi holds an advanced master's degree in marketing management from the Paris Business School, as well as an engineering degree in agronomy and environment.
Which powerhouse CEO would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
