Top Dynamic Women Leaders To Follow December2025

Industry Insights

Top Dynamic

Strength in Strategy How Women Leaders Shape Industries

W O MEN

LEADERS To Follow

Founder and Executive Director Kaizen Top Mark

Industry Insights Leading with Equity Women Driving Social Transformation

A Committed Leader: How

JOSEPHINE

DR.

SONGA

is Strengthening Food Systems Governance in Africa with Kaizen Top Mark

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Editorial

The New Leadership Mandate

I

n an era defined by accelerated change, complexity, and heightened accountability, leadership is no longer measured solely by scale or speed. It is defined by clarity of purpose, resilience in uncertainty, and the ability to lead with both conviction and conscience. The women featured in this edition of Top Dynamic Women Leaders to Follow exemplify this evolved leadership paradigm. They are not merely responding to change; they are shaping it with intent, intelligence, and lasting impact.

Across industries and geographies, today's women leaders are redefining what influence looks like at the highest levels of decisionmaking. They are building future-ready organizations, driving sustainable growth, and embedding inclusivity into the core of business strategy. What sets them apart is not only their professional achievements, but the depth of their leadership ethos—one that balances performance with people, innovation with responsibility, and ambition with purpose.

This special edition brings together women who have demonstrated exceptional agility in navigating disruption while remaining grounded in long-term vision. Whether leading global enterprises, scaling high-growth ventures, transforming legacy systems, or championing social and technological progress, each leader featured here represents a powerful blend of strategic acumen and humancentered leadership. Their journeys reflect courage, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

-Alaya Brown

At a time when organizations are being challenged to think beyond traditional hierarchies and linear growth models, these women are setting new benchmarks for leadership effectiveness. They are fostering cultures of trust, mentoring the next generation of talent, and proving that empathy and decisiveness are not opposing forces, but complementary strengths. Their leadership narratives underscore a critical truth: sustainable success is built when innovation is guided by values and vision.

Top Dynamic Women Leaders to Follow is more than a recognition; it is a reflection of the evolving face of global leadership. It celebrates women who lead with authenticity, act with accountability, and inspire progress beyond their immediate spheres of influence. As readers engage with these stories, we hope they find not only insight and inspiration, but also a deeper appreciation of the transformative power of women-led leadership in shaping the future of business and society.

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The Front Page Exclusive A Committed Leader: How

Dr. Josephine Songa

is Strengthening Food Systems Governance in Africa with Kaizen Top Mark

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Leading with Equity Women Driving Social Transformation

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Strength in Strategy How Women Leaders Shape Industries

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Top Dynamic Women Leaders To Follow

Featuring

Company

Brief

Dr. Josephine Songa Founder and Execu ve Director

Kaizen Top Mark kaizentopmark.com

With a strong focus on con nuous improvement, standards cer fica on, and organiza onal performance, Dr. Josephine empowers enterprises to enhance compe veness, achieve compliance, and drive sustainable growth.

Sabrina Taylor Founder

MedRhythms, Inc. medrhythms.com

Dr. Taylor is an experience clinical trial researcher and manages several large-scale mul -center clinical trials.

Sarah Zweifach Clinical Product Management

Story Health storyhealth.com

Sarah is focused on building virtual speciality care programs and services. She has also built both physician and pa entfacing tools and experiences at healthcare companies.

Sylvia Romm Founder

Sonder Health sonderhealthplans.com

Sylvia Romm is the Founder and Chairperson of Sonder Health. With over 13 years of experience in the healthcare sector, she is passionate about providing quality solu ons in the niche.

Tatum Ge y General Partner

THENA Capital thenacapital.com

Tatum is an investor and MedTech enthusiast with a proven track record of transforming seed and growth-stage companies into global household brands.

Top Dynamic Women Leaders To Follow

A Committed Leader: How

Dr.

is Strengthening Food Systems Governance in Africa with Kaizen Top Mark

Founder and Executive Director Kaizen Top Mark

U

nexpected and unknown are inbuilt in our lives from the moment we are born. At first, everything is unknown to us, and then after we gain a conscious self, unexpected keep meeting us at every turn throughout our times. There are moments in one’s life when the journey begins long before we realize we have stepped onto the path. For Dr. Josephine Songa, the Founder and Executive Director of Kaizen Top Mark, the seeds of leadership were planted in the landscapes of rural Kenya, where she first came to understand food, livelihoods, resilience, and the power of community. “Over the years, my journey would take me through research stations, academia, boardrooms, policy negotiation spaces, global fellowship platforms, and multi-country development programs across Africa.” But every step, every achievement, and every challenge has led back to one central purpose: to help build systems that nourish people, sustain livelihoods, and transform futures.

“For me, the seeds of leadership were planted in the landscapes of rural Kenya where I first came to understand food, livelihoods, resilience, and the power of community.”

Kaizen Top Mark was born from that purpose and from the quiet, steady realization that the work of transformation must be both personal and collective.

A Journey Rooted in a Purpose Dr. Songa’s journey toward establishing Kaizen Top Mark was shaped by professional purpose, accumulated experience, and personal reflections on impact. There comes a moment in one’s career when experience, conviction, and calling align. For her, that moment emerged after years in leadership roles across science, innovation, agricultural policy, institutional strengthening, and capacity development in Africa. “I had seen what was possible when systems were empowered to serve communities—and what was lost when solutions were fragmented, externally driven, or disconnected from those they intended to support. I knew there was a better way: one rooted in collaboration, continuity, and dignity.”

Founding Kaizen Top Mark created the space to address these gaps intentionally. It allowed her to build an entity anchored in partnership, dialogue, and practical problemsolving. It also marked a leadership shift – “a realization that I could use my voice, networks, and experience to drive transformation more directly.”

A Living Philosophy You might feel that the philosophy of Kaizen reflects continuous improvement. “It does. Because, to us – my team and me – Kaizen is more than our name. It is an inherent attitude we live by.” Continuous improvement is

rooted in humility: the awareness that there is always more to learn, refine, and contribute. Throughout her career whether leading research teams, designing agricultural transformation strategies, shaping policy, or mentoring young professionals –Dr. Songa learned that growth is a journey, not an endpoint.

This mindset keeps her adaptive and intentional, especially in multi-stakeholder spaces where perspectives differ. At Kaizen Top Mark, the Kaizen philosophy shapes how Dr. Songa and her team work: they co-create solutions, learn alongside their partners, and approach development as a shared journey. Ultimately, they help their clients and partners grow into stronger, more capable versions of themselves.

Constantly Learning Leadership Lessons Also, Dr. Songa’s leadership philosophy has been shaped as much by boardrooms, research labs, on-farm fields, capacity-building spaces, and policy dialogues as it has been by motherhood. Raising a family while leading national and international programs taught her the value of presence, prioritization, and grace.

She learned early that balance is not a fixed point but a constant negotiation of attention and energy. Some seasons demanded deeper professional focus; others required stepping back and being fully present at home. “Over time, I came to see these roles not as competing identities but as

complementary ones.” Motherhood strengthened her empathy, patience, and emotional intelligence; it taught her courage in times of change and grace in moments of exhaustion -qualities at the heart of leadership today. “It also grounded my decisions in what truly matters.”

Every major career transition Dr. Songa made has been guided by family. She believes leadership should not require sacrificing one’s identity or loved ones, but reflect an integrated life lived in alignment with core values.

The Most Transformative Phases Looking back today, Dr. Songa says she can see the most transformative phases of her career that prepared her for the role of a leader. What is more, those times have shaped her voice, convictions, and leadership -qualities essential for her role as Executive Director: •

Years in agricultural research and biotechnology grounded her in rigorous scientific thinking and evidence-based decision-making.

•

Serving as a university lecturer and postgraduate research supervisor strengthened her mentorship skills and deepened her commitment to knowledge transfer and capacity-building.

•

Leadership roles in national agricultural policy reform sharpened her systems-thinking and enhanced her ability to influence governance processes, drive institutional change, and build enabling environments for food-systems transformation.

•

Working on multi-country donor-funded programs across 20+ African countries expanded her capacity to manage complex initiatives, cultivate strong partnerships, and coordinate diverse teams toward shared outcomes.

•

Mentoring young African women agricultural scientists through the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development program reinforced her dedication to inclusive leadership—especially for women and youth -and affirmed the power of knowledge shared generously.

Together, these phases have given Dr. Songa the technical depth, strategic insight, and relational leadership needed to guide Kaizen Top Mark with clarity, purpose, and authenticity.

“Founding Kaizen Top Mark created the space to address these gaps intentionally. It allowed me to build an entity anchored in partnership, dialogue, and practical problem-solving.”

Creating an Environment for People to Strengthen Themselves Her leadership approach is unique, but she thinks it is quite simple. “I lead with a relational, collaborative approach grounded in respect, shared responsibility, and empowerment.” People perform best when they feel recognized, valued, and trusted, she believes. “Leadership is not about authority -it is about creating environments where people can confidently bring their strengths forward.” At Kaizen Top Mark, she ensures they partner with clients as co-creators, not distant experts. “We prioritize reflection, learning, and open communication, knowing that trust is built not through grand moments but through consistent, everyday practice.”

A Challenge Conqueror Of course, throughout her journey, there were challenges.

However, to Dr. Songa, all of those challenges shaped her resilience and vision, “In fact, the person I am today.” Her leadership journey has unfolded through seasons that tested her resolve and shaped her character. Some were marked by resource constraints, politically complex environments, slow-moving reforms, and transitions across diverse institutional cultures. These experiences strengthened her resilience, deepened her commitment to building strong, inclusive systems, and taught her that sustainable transformation comes from steady, long-term investment.

“Kaizen is more than our name -it is a philosophy I live by.

Continuous improvement is rooted in humility: the awareness that there is always more to learn, refine, and contribute.”

A defining moment came when she stepped into entrepreneurship after an established career and trusted that the vision was enough. It required clarity, faith, and courage -and affirmed that leadership often means entering new spaces so others can see possibility.

Moreover, Dr. Songa’s academic training in agricultural sciences and business management instilled a discipline of inquiry and a commitment to evidence-based action.

Professional experience across research, academia, government, NGOs, and advisory roles sharpened her understanding of how policies are shaped, how markets function, and how transformation occurs in real-world contexts.

“But it is the human experiences—working with farmers, engaging grassroots institutions, learning from women leaders, and mentoring young researchers—that shaped my heart.” They taught her to lead not from expertise alone but with empathy; to recognize that knowledge is most powerful when shared, and that leadership is ultimately service.

These experiences shaped her long-term goals in three ways: •

Strengthening institutional capacity so systems—not individuals—sustain progress.

•

Advancing inclusive development that elevates women and youth.

•

Championing African-led solutions rooted in our realities and aspirations.

Dr. Songa learned early that innovation and adaptability are essential traits for a leader. Throughout her career, she has been intentional in creating spaces of reflection, curiosity, and dialogue. She has always encouraged innovation in her teams and recognized it to be a result of incremental questioning, purposeful experimentation, and the courage to learn from experience rather than fear failure. “For myself, I read widely, stay connected with sector networks, and seek out environments where I am challenged to think differently.”

The Core Values Many leaders strive to align values with action. In Dr. Songa’s case, the core values that guide her leadership are integrity, service, collaboration, excellence, and compassion. The values influence the way she engages with her team and stakeholders as follows: •

“Integrity ensures that our work is grounded in honesty and ethical engagement.”

•

“Service reminds us that leadership is about improving lives and systems.”

•

Collaboration enables shared ownership, lasting relationships, and meaningful impact.

•

“Excellence ensures we commit to quality, discipline, and rigor.”

•

Compassion keeps humanity at the center of development.

“These values influence how we design programs, interact with partners, and communicate outcomes.”

Empowering Others The consulting field often requires balancing multiple interests and maintaining impartiality. That is why ensuring integrity and authenticity remain central to Dr. Songa’s professional practice. “Authenticity means acknowledging what we know, what we are learning, and where partnership strengthens outcomes.” Integrity means making decisions that honor people, not just outcomes.

“I am passionate about continuing to strengthen food systems governance in Africa, expanding institutional capacity development, nurturing youth and women leaders, and expanding crossregional collaboration.”

At Kaizen Top Mark, Dr. Songa says they commit to listening deeply, co-creating solutions respectfully, and facilitating processes that empower others and strengthen ownership rather than dependency.

regional collaboration. She also looks forward to deepening Kaizen Top Mark’s footprint and partnerships, both regionally and globally.

A Message for Aspiring Leaders

Opening Doors for Them Again, mentorship is one of the greatest joys of her work, she adds. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of mentoring women scientists, youth agripreneurs, community leaders, and young professionals. “I do this because it aligns with my purpose: to unlock potential in myself and others, especially women and youth. I also mentor because someone once opened a door for me- and leadership requires opening doors for others.” Across roles, Dr. Songa has supported early-career scientists, young professionals, created opportunities for youth agripreneurs, and championed leadership development for African women in science and agri-business. Mentorship, to her, is not simply transferring knowledge -it is affirming possibility.

Solidifying Tomorrow As she looks toward the future, Dr. Songa is passionate about continuing to strengthen food systems governance in Africa, expanding institutional capacity development, nurturing youth and women leaders, and expanding cross-

Finally, her message to emerging leaders, especially women, is this: lead with clarity, courage, and authenticity.

Your voice matters, and your journey is enough. You do not need to become someone else to lead well. Leadership is not perfection; it is purposeful growth, staying rooted in your values, and allowing strength and grace to coexist.

To the women rising, balancing ambition and family, or questioning whether their voice carries weight -remember: you are allowed to grow slowly, lead gently, and choose love while still being powerful. You do not need to be hard to be strong. Strength can be soft, leadership can be kind, and success can be profoundly human.

Above all, you can lead boldly without abandoning the parts of your life that nourish your spirit. “That, to me, is true success,” she concludes.

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Leading with Equity

A

cross the world, women are becoming major contributors to societal changes and are even changing the way leadership is perceived by being led with equity, inclusion, and presenting a genuine commitment to the creation of systems that nurture whole communities.

Women leaders, who are present in governments, boardrooms, grassroots movements, and global institutions, are demonstrating that not only is equitable leadership a must from a moral point of view, but it is also strategically transformative. Their power does not stop at their positions; it affects the surroundings, assists in the formation of policies, and even changes the concept of the future of society itself. Women who lead with equity are not merely making progress together with others; they are the ones who actually lead the way.

Leadership Rooted in Inclusion First of all, women leaders use an inclusive approach in making decisions. They understand that real progress can be

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made only if one listens to those whose opinions have been most of the time ignored or undervalued. What they do is ensure the presence of the voices that have been silent because of their gender, race, class, ability, and culture at the discussion table, and thus they are certain that the solutions will meet the requirements of the whole population, not only of a few privileged ones.

Being inclusive is not something that has been thought of after the fact; it is the fundamental basis of fair leadership.

People who feel represented tend to engage more, trust more, and contribute more.

Redefining Power Through Collaboration Women leaders, instead of using hierarchical or top-down models, most of the time opt for collaboration, shared responsibility, and participatory approaches. They unite the stakeholder, help them with collective problem-solving, and agreement-picking, in an atmosphere of conflict or division, where these matters usually exist, they are able to get over them with the help of their approach.

between policy and people, thus change becomes both structural and human-centered.

Balancing Strength with Empathy

W men Driving

Social

Transformation

Such a method does not only result in the formation of unity — it also makes the results stronger. The outcomes of collaborative leadership are stronger because this leadership style allows it to get the input of a greater number of different people and ideas and thus have more comprehensive solutions that are also innovative and sustainable besides being widely approved ones.

Equitable leadership calls for an extraordinary mixture of a leader's strength and empathy. Women leaders are very good at handling this mixture as they show toughness when they get pushback and at the same time, they are able to see the reality of the lives of the people whom they serve. Their power comes from the fact that they are very good at listening, doing real communication, and by their kind and sympathetic addresses they create situations where there is emotional as well as structural change. The combination is one that establishes trust — the currency of social transformation.

Instead of transforming economies by concentrating wealth, their leadership does that by distributing opportunity.

Leadership That Redefines Legacy One feature of women who are leading the way with equity is that they grasp the idea that legacy is not measured by the number of personal trophies but by the lives that have been changed and the systems that have been improved. Their toil is firmly planted in the ground of purpose: to build the kind of places where being fair is the norm, being represented is what you expect, and justice, well, that is something that cannot be bargained for.

Their leadership turns into a scheme for the coming days — the one where power is shared, voices are heard, and communities flourish.

The Power of Equity in Action

Women working with leadership that is equitable usually have social justice as the core of their work - being advocates for laws that ensure the safety of the less fortunate community members, facilitate access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, as well as oppose systemic inequalities. At a time when the world is in crisis, their leadership is like a shining light cast by empathy, fairness, and courage.

Leadership driven by equity is one of the major forces behind the change in how society is viewing progress. It does far more than just broaden the areas that institutions give priority to; it changes the way leaders are selected and the manner in which decisions are taken. Women are the ones who are leading this transition and they are the proof that leadership which is guided by morality and empathy not only brings about the desired result but is also indispensable in solving the most critical problems of the world. These women who are shaping the society through their leadership are setting a completely new leadership path that will be followed by the coming generations.

In fact, they are the vehicles of change through legislation, activism, community development, and institutional reform.

The main source of their power is the close link they make

It is in their character to be clear, brave, and resolute in their convictions – thus demonstrating that when equity is the norm, progress is the natural consequence.

Championing Social Justice and Human Rights

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Strength in Strategy

A

cross all sectors of the worldwide economy, female executives are setting new standards for leadership that is effective and future-oriented. Their ascent is not a fleeting phenomenon — it is a shift that is largely brought about by their strategic clarity, emotional intelligence, and a leadership style that integrates vision with down-to-earth execution.

Women leaders are transforming the purpose and the way the industries work, not by following the set norms, but by rewriting them with determination, stamina, and a firm commitment to progress. They are strong in one particular aspect, which is strategy. This is reflected in the manner of their thinking, decision-making, empowerment, and building.

Leading With Perspective and Purpose Female executives operate a multidimensional filter to the decision-making process. They not only assess the financial impact of a choice but also take into consideration the human, cultural, social, and environmental consequences for the future. Applying this all-encompassing method strengthens the organization's strategy by combining empathy with reason. The outcome is that more decisions are not only profitable but also sustainable.

Purpose is the nucleus of their leadership. They simultaneously get teams to work efficiently through worthy missions and also drum up organizations to reach results that are far beyond what can be measured in business metrics. Therefore, vision does not remain a distant directive but turns into shared ambition.

Balancing Innovation with Practicality Women leaders can skillfully balance between daring innovation and the operational discipline that the organization requires. They support new ideas but at the same time, they bring them down to earth with methods, budget, and market realities. The positioning between the two poles creates the strategic momentum — the moves become clear and the leaders confident when the transition from the idea phase to the practical one is made.

They do so by questioning current practices, inviting creative thinking, and establishing an environment where the willingness to test new things is encouraged. However, at the same time, they retain the ability to evaluate the effect, adjust the strategy, and grow the part that works.

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How

Women Leaders Shape Industries

Building Cultures of Inclusion and Trust One of the major points where women leaders excel is the capability to create organizations that feel to the members to be their value and empowerment. The latter they achieve through giving priority to the elements of psychological safety, collaboration, and openness. In such cultures, people behave in a more honest manner, even take risks, and are willing to contribute more.

Trust is not a thing that is demanded — it is obtained through consistency, communication, and being fair.

Female executives realize that the strongest teams are those in which each member has influence and every team member feels recognized.

Elevating People Through Mentorship and Development Most of the time, women in leadership positions become the power that sets the growth of the talents in motion. They provide guidance to those who just started their professional journey, help the members of the groups that face

discrimination to become visible, and make sure that the path to the future leaders' positions is full of diversity and potential.

Their commitment to people is the driving force behind good succession planning and the source of innovation.

Furthermore, by giving power to others, they extend their reach — thus becoming responsible for the future they cocreate and not for only a handful of decisions.

A Broader Definition of Success Women leaders are changing the face of the industries by expanding the notion of success of leadership. The latter is not only confined to profit-making but instead encompasses such factors as innovation, wellbeing, sustainability, equality, and cultural change. Women leaders develop the culture of work where performance is the result of the right motive and where progress is not only measured by the amount of money made but also by the positive impact brought about. Their leadership extends the industries' horizons for defining excellence.

Transforming Industries Through Strategic Leadership The influence of women leaders can be traced to their involvement in the rewriting of the respective industries' futures, which position them as the key players not only of tech and finance but also of other sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, government, and social impact. They are the main drivers of digital change, the architects of policy reforms, the promoters of the culture of inclusion, and the creators of solutions that address the challenges of the future.

Their power is not only in their number but also in their strategy. They transform the face of the industries by being deliberate leaders, being visionary, and helping those around them to rise.

Leaders are not the ones who guide the future, they are the ones who rebuild it. By their wide perspective, courage, compassion, and strategic discipline, they are always questioning the established norms of leadership and of the change that lasts.

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