20 Most Inspiring European
Women Leaders 2026

Christiane Wuillamie, CEO & Co-Founder of Pyxis Culture Technologies, has had a long career in technology and has done every job in IT, culminating in managing software houses and as a CIO for large global banks.

Deniz Bruce is no ordinary leader. Her professional background is enriched with extensive experience in various pharmaceutical and medical device organisations, where she has held global leadership positions overseeing diverse product portfolios.

Helen Fisher is a business psychologist who specialises in helping organisations become more effective through their people. Described as logical and analytical, an ingenious thinker and long-range planner, and good at anything that requires rapid reasoning, Helen is direct, results-oriented and thorough. She is passionate about researching new subjects that capture her interest.

Lesley Rudd’s journey to becoming CEO of Electrical Safety First is one of purpose, resilience, and commitment to public safety. Having worked extensively in the oil and gas industry, she witnessed firsthand how critical safety was to the sector. Tragedies like fatal helicopter crashes and catastrophic oil spills shaped her understanding of risk management, highlighting the industry’s dedication to learning from mistakes and prioritizing safety.

Miranda Mapleton started White Swan in 2016—a reg-istered charity with a mission to improve the health of society using technology and analytics, to accelerate diagnosis and improve the effectiveness of treatment.

In an industry that connects billions of people across continents, cultures, and experiences, the infrastructure powering travel often remains invisible. Behind every hotel booking lies a complex web of systems, suppliers, and distribution networks working together in real time. For decades, that ecosystem has been fragmented, inefficient, and difficult to navigate.

In a world increasingly defined by urgency, distraction, and constant connectivity, Simone Lopes chose to create something rare: a space for presence. Through the Refúgio of Quinta Nere Maitia, nestled in Portugal’s Ribatejo region, she has built more than a hospitality destination.

The Westway Trust is a 23-acre estate in trust for the benefit of the community. Venu Dhupa is the leader who has brought a different vision to running this dual enterprise. . “Rather than thinking as a property company that deploys its resources for social goods, we are a social goods company that earns it’s income from property,” she explains.