The 10 Empowering Women Leaders to Follow in 2024

Editors Insights

Welcome to The Fortune Leader magazine’s

special feature, “The 10 Empowering Women Leaders to Follow in 2024.” In this issue, we celebrate the amazing achievements and inspiring journeys of women who are breaking barriers and making significant impacts across various industries.

These leaders exemplify resilience, innovaon, and strong leadership, seng new standards and paving the way for future generaons. Their stories, from fields such as public health and markeng to execuve search and consultancy, highlight the power of vision, dedicaon, and empowerment.

We hope their journeys inspire you and provide valuable insights for aspiring leaders. These women are not only leading in their fields but also creang lasng legacies that movate and upli others.

In this issue, we explore the transformave impact of public health policy through the lens of Policy Wisdom, LLC, a trailblazing consultancy founded by Ana Rita Gonzalez. Policy Wisdom exemplifies how strategic partnerships and evidence-based research can shape health policies that benefit communies worldwide.

We delve into the company’s journey from its incepon in 2010, highlighng the visionary leadership of Gonzalez, whose passion for health policy drives the firm's global iniaves. Her commitment to inclusive dialogue and methodological rigor underscores the firm's success in improving public health outcomes.

Gonzalez shares inspiring insights on overcoming challenges and innovang within the public health sector Her stories of addressing child obesity and vaccine hesitancy illustrate the tangible benefits of effecve policy intervenons.

Also included in this issue are the successful journeys of Paige Arnof-Fenn, Founder & CEO of Mavens & Moguls; Roshni Wijayasinha, CEO of Prosh Markeng; Natasha Makhijani, Founder & CEO of Oliver Sanderson Group; and Kirsi Ekberg, Founder of Vilike. Each story showcases the remarkable achievements of these dynamic women leaders and their contribuons to their respecve fields.

Prosh Marketing

Intoday'sfast-changingbusiness landscape,companiesarelooking foreffectivestrategiesto acceleratesalesanddrivegrowth. Hiringafull-timeChiefMarketing Officer(CMO)hastraditionallybeen thego-toapproachwhenacompany reachesacertainsize.Theprimary reasonCEOshireanexperiencedChief MarketingOfficer(CMO)istoadd strategicleadershipskilledatbuilding andscalingthecompany'ssalesefforts andtodriverevenuegrowth.An experiencedCMOpossessesthe expertisetodevelopacomprehensive marketingstrategythatalignswiththe company'svision,goals,and objectives,effectivelycommunicates thebrand'svalueproposition,and identifiesandcapitalizesonkeymarket opportunitiestoincreaserevenue.

ProshMarketingisacollectiveof Marketingleaderswithdecadesof experience,passionateabouthelping entrepreneursaccesssenior-level marketingtalent,affordably.Prosh MarketingisledbyRoshni Wijayasinhaandsupportedbya networkofpartnersandexpert consultants.

OurServices

ProshMarketinghelpsCEOs,Startup Founders,andMarketerstomaximize theirpotentialwithprovenmarketing leadershipthathashelpedcompanies

attainnine-figureexitsandlaunchover 50productsandbrandsinworldwide markets.Leveragingover15yearsof experienceandawidenetworkof specialists,ProshMarketinghas designedcost-effectiveprogramsthat arebuilttodeliveranROIandusea sustainableapproachbybuildingup internalmarketingresourcesand capabilitieswithflexibleteam integration,hands-ontraining,and knowledgetransfer.

Fractional CMOs

Ÿ Helpwithcollaborativegoaland strategydefinitionwithleadership.

Ÿ Designandbuildthemarketing engine,includingtheteam, vendors,programs,processes,tools andpartnerships.

Ÿ ManageMarketingimplementation andoperationswithhands-on mentoringofmarketingstaffand/ orvendorstodeliverKPIs.

PT Marketing Directors

Ÿ Helpwithimplementingthe marketingplanensuringtimely executionofmarketingactivities andbudgetmanagement.

TheInspirationJourney

“Isawanopportunityforgrowing businessestotapintoseniormarketing leadershipmoreaffordablywithaparttimemodel.Thisdifferedfrom consultantsbecauseourmarketing

leaderswouldnotjustcreatestrategy butalsohelpimplementandbuild infrastructureinsideorganizations. Thisdifferedalsofromagencieswho dideverythingfortheirclientsbutleft themwithnoknowledgeorsystemsin placeinternally.ThisFractionalCMO modelwasperfectforsmaller businessesthatcouldn'taffordordidn't needafull-timeheadofmarketingand weretryingtomaximizetheirgrowth byleveragingjunioremployees.Here, theycouldaffordseasonedmarketing leadersondemand,”addedRoshni Wijayasinha,CEO,ProshMarketing.

Beatingtheoddsasawomen

“Asawomanmarketinginthetech field,therewerenotmanyofusinthe earlydays.Inaddition,mostofthe founderswhowerefundedandcould affordourservicesweremen.Ifind thatfocusingonmyuniquestrengths hasallowedmetofeelmoreathomein aroomthatmightbecompletely differentfrommine,andalsofocused onreallyunderstandingmytarget audience,theirneeds,andpainpoints soIcouldrelate,regardlessofgender,” saysRoshni.

Thework-lifebalance

“Itrytocarveoutweekendsforselfcare,andtimewithfamilyandfriends. Iwillprepareformyweekona Sundaynightbuttherestofthetime,I donotopenmyemail.Havingaclear

boundaryonmyweekendsisalso necessarybecauseIworklateon weekdaysandourclientssometimes reachoutduringtheweekatvarious timesbecausetheyareacrossavariety oftimezones,”elaboratedRoshni.

Women,LeadershipandBusiness

“ManyofthewomenleadersI'vemet arestrongcommunicatorsandcanlean intoemotionalintelligencetotruly connectwithpeople.Thishasnotonly translatedintosuccessfroma marketingperspectiveconnectingwith targetaudiencesandcustomersbutalso helpedtheminspireandengagetheir teams.Thishascreatedstrongwork cultureswheretheycanattractand retaingreattalent,aswellassupport theirstaffandpartnerstomaximize theirsuccess.Ithinkmorewomenwill risetoleadershippositionsshortly. Theywillhavemorerolemodelsand morefundingavailabletothemas well.Ialsoforeseesocialnormsand educationalopportunitieswilldrive morewomenintoSTEMcareersand entrepreneurship.Ibelievethatthis willinspiremoreinnovationfor women,aswellasbusinessesthat servicewomen'sneeds.”

TheWorkCulture

“AtProshMarketing,wehavea diverserosterofFractionalCMOs fromacrosstheworld.Wevalueand hireforthisdiversityasitallowsusto appealtoabroaderclientbaseandalso haveabroaderrangeofskillsand experiencestodrawupon.Thisalso meanswecelebrateavarietyof holidaysacrossdifferentcultures,use inclusivelanguagewhenwespeakto ourcollectiveaswellasourclients, andcollectfeedbackfromour stakeholderstoensurewe'reincluding theiropinions.I'malsoanangel investorwithTheFirehood,agroup thatinvestsinwomenfounded businessestohelpthemaccesscapital andresourcestobuildandgrowtheir companies.”

Roshni Wijayasinha CEO

Interview with

Oliver Sanderson Group

WhatinspiredtheestablishmentofOliverSandersonGroup?

TheinceptionofOliverSandersonGroupstemsfromadesiretochartadistinctpathin theexecutivesearchsector.Drawingfromextensiveexperienceinrecruitmentwithin leadingfirms,theaspirationwastopioneeracompanysteepedinhonesty,integrity,and passionacrossallfacetsofitsoperations.ThisvisionledtothefoundingofOliver SandersonGroupin2011,withacommitmenttoredefineexcellenceintalent acquisitionthroughamorepersonalizedandconsultativeapproach.

Whatweretheinitialchallengesfacedduringinception,andhowwerethey overcome?

Likeanyentrepreneurialventure,thebeginningsofOliverSandersonGroupweremet withchallenges.Theseincludedsecuringinitialfinancing,assemblingacapableteam, andestablishingcredibilityinafiercelycompetitivemarket.Overcomingthese obstaclesdemandedperseverance,strategicnetworking,andanunwaveringdedication todeliveringoutstandingresults.Throughtheseefforts,arobustfoundationwaslaidfor thecompany'sgrowthandsuccess.

WhatisthemissionandvisionofOliverSandersonGroup?

OliverSandersonGroup'smissionistoempowerorganizationstoachievegreatnessby

Natasha Makhijani Founder & CEO

connectingthemwithtop-tiertalentandfosteringa cultureofexcellence,inclusion,andinnovation.The visionistobecomeatrustedpartnerinexecutivesearch, renownedforanunwaveringcommitmenttointegrity, quality,andclientsatisfaction.

Canyouprovideanoverviewoftheservicesoffered byyourfirm?

OliverSandersonGroupoffersacomprehensivesuiteof executivesearchandtalentacquisitionservicestailored tomeetclients'uniqueneeds.Thisincludesexecutive searchforboardandseniorleadershippositions,interim managementsolutions,talentmappingandmarket intelligence,anddiversityandinclusionconsulting.Our innovativedigitalplatform,SnappCV,revolutionizesthe recruitmentprocessbyseamlesslyconnectingemployers withtoptalent.

WhatsetsOliverSandersonGroupapartfrom competitors?

WhatdistinguishesOliverSandersonGroupisour steadfastcommitmenttodeliveringpersonalized, consultative,andresults-drivensolutions.Weprioritize cultivatinglong-termrelationshipswithclients, understandingtheirspecificrequirements,andtailoring ourapproachaccordingly.Ourdeepindustryexpertise andinnovativemindsetenableustoprovideunparalleled valuetoclients,whileourleadershipinEquity,Diversity &Inclusionunderscoresourdedicationtodriving positivechange.

Canyoutellusaboutyourclientele?

Ourclientelecomprisesadiversearrayoforganizations spanningvariousindustries,includingFortune500 companies,FTSE100andFTSE350firms,private equity-backedenterprises,andemergingstartups.We takeprideinservingclientsacrosssectorssuchas finance,technology,healthcare,consumergoods,and beyond,assistingtheminsecuringtop-tiertalenttodrive growthandsuccess.

DescribetheorganizationalcultureatOliver SandersonGroup.

AtOliverSandersonGroup,ourorganizationalcultureis characterizedbycollaboration,transparency,andan unwaveringcommitmenttoexcellence.Wefostera supportiveandinclusiveworkenvironmentwhereevery teammemberisvalued,empowered,andencouragedto reachtheirfullpotential.Ourcultureofcontinuous learningandinnovationenablesustoadaptswiftlyto changingmarketdynamicsanddeliverexceptional outcomesforourclients.

Couldyoushareafewclienttestimonials?

Testimonialsfromclientsspeakvolumesaboutthe qualityofourservices.Here'swhatsomeofthemhave tosay:

Ÿ PamWright,ChiefHumanResourcesOfficer–EquansUK&I

Ÿ PeterMacDonald,ERDirector/HRDirectorEquansUKandIreland

Whatareyourfutureplans?

Lookingahead,ourfocusisonacceleratinggrowth, expandingourmarketpresence,anddrivinginnovation intalentacquisition.Weaimtostrengthenclient relationships,expandserviceofferings,andleverage technologytoenhanceefficiencyandeffectiveness. Additionally,weremaincommittedtoadvancing diversity,equity,andinclusionwithinourorganization andacrosstheindustriesweserve,solidifyingOliver SandersonGroup'spositionasaleaderinexecutive searchandtalentacquisition.

MARKETING IN THE AGE OF AI AND CHATGPT

Here is my bio: Paige ArnofFenn is the founder & CEO of global branding and digital markeng firm Mavens & Moguls based in Cambridge, MA. Her clients include Microso, Virgin, The New York Times Company, Colgate, venture-backed startups as well as non profit organizaons. She graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Business School. Paige serves on several Boards, is a popular speaker and columnist who has wrien for Entrepreneur and Forbes.

Althoughitstartedwithstudentsatfirst,whensocial

mediaarrivedontheprofessionalsceneittookoff quickly. Clientsbecamecuriousthendistracted beforegettingoverwhelmedwiththegrowingnumberof platformoptionsfromFacebooktoTwitter/X,Insta,Snap, Pinterest,TikTokandthentherewereblogstoo. Iwas gettingquestionsaboutwhattodo,wheretobeandhowto doitwithoutwastingalotoftimeandenergy.Evenifwe havenotmasteredthelatestonlinetoolsandcommunities manyofushavemadepeacewithsocialmediabypicking oneortwothatworkforusandfocusingourattention. For meandmybusinessLinkedInmattersmost.

TheMetaversestartedtogetalotofattentionduringthe pandemicasthewholeworldmigratedonlinebutitseems tobecoolingoffabitnowthatArtificialIntelligenceorAI hasmovedtotheforefront. Mediastoriesaboundabout ChatGPTbeingabletoreplacedoctors,lawyers,MBAs, younameit. Robotstookawayfactoryjobsyearsagoand nowthis. Manypeoplehaveaskedmelatelyaboutwhether IamworriedthatAIisgoingtoreplacemarketerstoo.

Newspapers,radio,andtelevisionallhadtoadjustas technologyhasevolvedwithcomputers,cellphones, streaming,etc. Themarketingfundamentalswillcontinue toberelevant–understandingwhatmotivatesyourtarget audiencetobuyyourproductsorservicesnevergoesoutof style. Wewillcontinuetohelpclientsfindtherightwords andpicturestotelltheirstoriesthateducate,informand/or entertainusingAIbutI'darguetherealkillerapplication todayisAuthenticInteractionsnotArtificialIntelligence! Whileyourcompetitiongeneratesroboticcopythatsounds genericyoucanstandoutandbreakthroughtheseaof samenesswithpersonalizedthoughtfulcontentservingtheir specificneeds.Sodon'tgetdistractedbythelatestshiny object,towintodayauthenticityiswhatpeopleremember Buildingconnectionsandrelationshipswithyouraudience ismoreimportantnowthanever!

Ihavefoundaniceframeworkforevaluatingwhetheror notChatGPT(oranyAI)isappropriateforyourtaskisto consider:

Ÿ Isthetaskhighorlowstakes?

Ÿ Doesthetaskrequirehighaccuracyorhighfluency?If yourtaskislowstakes,highfluency(i.e.writinga birthdaypoem),conversationalAIislikelyagoodfitfor thetask.Ifyourtaskrequireshighstakesandhigh accuracy(i.e.makingabusinessinvestment), conversationalAIismostlikelyabadfitforthetask.

Therearethousandsoftasksthatfallsomewherein betweenthesetwoextremessoyouneedsituational awarenessandsubjectmatterexpertisetogetthemostout ofthis(orany)technology

Inmyexperience,thehumantouchalwayswins. We've seenthepushandpullbetweencampaignautomationand human-drivenapproaches,andhumanwinseverytime. Wheninfluencermarketingfirstbegan,everyaspectofa campaignwasdonemanually Thiswasbynecessitysince wewereessentiallybuildingtheplaybookandexecuting thisnewmarketingtacticsimultaneously Thoseearlydays requiredastrongfoundationofbrandmarketingexperience, smartinstinctsandawholelotofgrit. Successful influencermarketingrequiresbuildingrelationshipswith influencers,craftingpersonalizedcampaignsandcreating authenticcontentthatresonateswiththeinfluencers' audiences.Thesetasksrequireatailoredapproachforevery client,aswellastheabilitytounderstandthenuancesof influencermarketing,specificallytheuniquenatureof workingwithcontentcreators.

Anysmartmarketerwilltellyouthattechnologycanhelp streamlineaspectsofacampaign,butyouwon'tfindan experiencedstrategistwhowillrecommendrelyingsolely onautomationforinfluencermarketing. Thebestinfluencer marketingapproachisahybridone:human-driven campaignsenhancedbytechnology WithChatGPT generatingtextwithjusttheclickofafewbuttons,Icansee whymanyarequestioningwhetherthisnewlanguage modelwillreplacecontentcreators.IfAIissogoodat naturallanguageprocessingandpersonalization,itcould seemlikeaworrisomepropositionbutdon'tsoundthe alarmsyet. Effectiveinfluencermarketingreliesonthe abilitytocreategenuineandengagingcontentthat resonateswiththecreator'saudience,andthisrequires creativity,empathyandapersonaltouchthatisdifficultfor AItoreplicate. WeneedtokeeptabsonAIdevelopments, butIamconfidentthatauthenticitywillcontinuetoreign supreme.Influencermarketingrequiresexperienced professionalswithreal—notartificial—intelligencetouse toolsinasmartwaytoengagecreatorswhoultimately connectwithandinfluencetheirfollowersonapersonal level.Toolscanenhancebutcannotreplacethathuman touch. Technologydoesnothavetobeisolatingitcanbe usedtobuildourrealworldcommunitiesandrelationships too!

Yet,amidstourtriumphs,adversitystruckoncemore whenanintegermistakeinthebackendrenderedour collecteddataunusableforscientificresearch.Itwasa devastatingsetbackthatledtoaperiodofburnout. However,withresilienceanddetermination,we regroupedandembarkedonajourneyofredemption. JoiningtheBoostStartupJourneyaccelerator,wefound renewedinspirationincollaboratingwithHaaga-Helia studentsanddigitalartistJenniNadin.

TheculminationofoureffortsmaterializedinVili's Playbook:ActiveAdventure-atestamenttoour perseveranceandcommitmenttoinnovation.In2018,at theJunctionHackathon,weforgedapivotalpartnership withcomputervisionspecialistSarthakTripathi,enabling ViliketointegrateAItechnologyintoourassessments. RecognizedasthemostpromisingstartupattheHYPE sportstechacceleratorin2020,Vilikehasemergedfroma decadeofdevelopmentwithasolidfoundingteamanda brightfutureahead.

Asweprepareforourre-launch,weremainguidedby ourunwaveringdedicationtoourmissionandbolstered bytheinvaluablesupportofourpeers.Thejourney aheadmaybefraughtwithchallenges,butwithaholistic approachandaresilientspirit,Vilikeispoisedto redefinethelandscapeofchildhooddevelopmentfor generationstocome.

FosteringCuriosity,IgnitingGrowth: Vilike'sMissionandVision

AtthecoreofVilike'sethosliesacommitmentto harnessingthetransformativepoweroftechnologyto enhancechildhooddevelopment.Ourmissionisrooted inthebeliefthattechnologyshouldserveasacatalyst forgrowth,ignitingcuriosityandfosteringholistic well-being.

Inaworldinundatedwithdigitaldistractions,Vilike envisionsafuturewheretechnologybecomesa facilitatorofmovementandlearning,ratherthana passiveobserver.Rejectingthenotionofexcessive screentimeandlinearuserexperiences,wearededicated toleveragingthepowerofAIto create immersive

solutionsthatinspirechildrentoexplore,discover,and move.

Centraltoourvisionistherecognitionthatthejourney ofchildhooddevelopmentisnotconfinedtoasingle moment,butratheralifelongprocess.Withthisinmind, Vilikeassumesfullresponsibilityfortheentireproduct lifecycle,ensuringthatourdigitalofferingsnotonly entertainbutalsonurturethegrowthofyoungminds.

Asweembarkonthisjourneyofinnovation,Vilike remainssteadfastinourcommitmenttoempowering childrentothriveinthedigitalworld,fostering happiness,health,andholisticdevelopmentalongthe way

EmpoweringPlay,InspiringGrowth: Vilike'sServices

Vilikeisproudtoofferarangeofinnovativeservices designedtoenhancechildhooddevelopmentand empowereducators.Ourflagshipproduct,Vili's Playbook:ActiveAdventure,isagroundbreakingdigital experiencethatseamlesslyblendsphysicalmovement withmotorskillsassessmentandanalysis.Through interactivegameplay,childrenareinspiredtoexplore andengageinactivelearning,whileourcutting-edge technologyprovidesvaluableinsightsintotheir developmentalprogress.

Inadditiontoourpioneeringproductofferings,Vilikeis committedtofosteringcollaborationandinnovation withintheeducationcommunity.Wewillsoonlauncha digitalcommunityplatformwhereeducatorscan connect,shareideas,anddevelopsimilarsolutions tailoredtotheiruniqueprofessionalneeds.Byproviding aplatformforcollaborationandknowledgeexchange, Vilikeaimstoempowereducatorstocreateimpactful learningexperiencesforchildrenandyouthacross diversesettings.

Withafocusonharnessingtechnologytoinspiregrowth andfacilitatelifelonglearning,Vilikeispoisedto revolutionizethelandscapeofchildhoodeducation.Join usonourjourneyasweempowerthenextgenerationto thriveinadigitalworldfilledwithendlesspossibilities.

RedefiningChildhoodDevelopment: Vilike'sUniqueApproach

Vilikesetsitselfapartbyprioritizingchildren'snatural growthoverentertainment.Ourinteractivegames engage,educate,andpromoteholisticdevelopment. Unlikecompetitors,wetailorexperiencestodiverse learningstyles,ensuringeverychildthrives.Vilikealso championsresponsibletechnologyuse,inspiring movementalongsidedigitalexploration.Joinusin reshapingchildhoodeducationforabrighterfuture.

ConnectingwithVilike'sClientele: EmpoweringPartnerships

Vilike'sclientelespansfromrenownedinstitutionslike theUKKInstitutetoforward-thinkingdaycares.Aswe preparetolaunchVili'sPlaybookviavilike.fi,we're eagertoforgeco-creationpartnershipswithschoolsand academia.Ourfocusisnotjustontransactionsbuton collaborativerelationships,wheretogether,wetailor solutionstomeetuniqueeducationalneeds.

ThroughearlyaccesstoVili'sPlaybook,stakeholders canexperiencefirsthandthetransformativepotentialof Vilike'sofferings.Ourgoalistoempowereducatorsand caregivers,fosteringholisticgrowthandinnovationin childhoodeducation.Joinusasweshapethefutureof learning,onepartnershipatatime.

Vilike'sCollaborativeWorkCulture: EmpoweringInnovation

AtVilike,collaborationisattheheartofeverythingwe do.Withacommitmenttoholacracy,everyteam member'sinputisvaluedequally,fosteringan environmentwhereinnovativeideasthrive. Transparencyandopencommunicationarekey,ensuring everyoneisinformedandempoweredtocontribute meaningfully.

Wecelebratediversityofthought,encouragingallteam memberstosharetheirinsightsfreely.Thisinclusive cultureextendstoourpartnerships,wherewecollaborate withlike-mindedindividualsandorganizationstodrive positivechangeinchildhoodeducation.

Ourworkcultureisdefinedbyaspiritofopenness, respect,andsharedpurpose.Together,we'rereshaping thefutureofchildhooddevelopmentthroughtechnology andeducation,onecollaborativeeffortatatime.Joinus asweempowerchildrentolearn,grow,andthrive.

ClientTestimonial:Vili'sPlaybookinAction

SaaraViteliofBoutiqueFunLearningKindergarten Metsäpirtti,Finland,praisesVili'sPlaybookforits simplicityandeffectivenessinevaluatingphysical activity.Childrenthoroughlyenjoytheengaging storylinewhiletheirphysicalskillsareseamlessly documentedandevaluated.Saaracommendsthe product'seaseofuse,highlightingthequickpreparation foreducatorsandtheaddedcharmofPandaplushtoys enhancingoutdooractivities.Inspiredbytheir experience,Saaraexpressesinterestinfurtherdigital documentationanddatabasecreationfor outdoor-focusedkindergartengroups.She enthusiasticallyrecommendsVili'sPlaybooktoother earlyeducatorsandprimaryeducationsetups,affirming itsvalueinpromotingactivelearningexperiences.