20 Most Inspiring Women Leaders 2023

The pandemic has been especially hard on women as many have had to opt out or reduce hours for the purposes of caregiving—caring for children, elders, or friends. Some women have lost their jobs because of the shifts in the labor market. But women have also found success in the workforce and have seen progress as well—from demonstrating effective leadership to positively influencing their organizations.

Data provide a clear window on the state of women in leadership—including both gains and losses. The insights are sobering but also enlightening. Our opportunity is to build resilience: By understanding reality and making sense of it, we can become more resilient, solve problems and innovate toward greater happiness, fulfillment, and achievement.

Cover Story

A Strong Example of Great Women Leaders | Carol B. Tomé

In an article written by Carol B. Tomé, CEO of UPS for Harvard Business Review, she says:
When I decided to accept the role of chief executive officer of UPS, in the late winter of 2019, it seemed like a straightforward choice. Having recently retired from Home Depot after 24 years of service, nearly two decades of them as CFO, I wasn’t necessarily looking for a new job.

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Enhancing Human Potential | Angela Cusack

Angela Cusack, Founder & CEO of Igniting Success®, is understated and patient. She moves quickly as she partners with executive leaders in shaping cultures that produce deeper connections, higher engagement, and overall well-being and prosperity for all involved. Angela is an impact player. Someone whom many refer to as their “organization’s secret weapon.”

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Reading the Community’s Pulse | Corina J Shtir

InterOme is a digital healthcare provider that works on improving individual and clinical decisions by making complexity simple. Corina J Shtir co-founded InterOme with her husband, John Shtir, COO InterOme, who is also CEO of Dexwell, a software company that matches very well in its expertise elements needed for InterOme.

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Excelling with Grace | Dez Rock

Dez Rock’s greatest strength is always seeing the big picture. A startup requires a person who can always fight all fronts without losing perspective and making things personal; this is where she excels. Dez’s mind works at a faster pace than the average person’s; with her ability to see solutions and paths like puzzle pieces, she has managed to take a great idea to market and make it grow.

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Encouraging to Dream | Dr. Elizabeth Harrison

Dr. Elizabeth Harrison has a proven track-record in enterprise turnarounds, business development, public affairs and organizational empowerment, with a focus in the last two decades on the healthcare sector. Elizabeth assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer at MetaSystems Group Inc. (MGI) on April 1, 2018. MGI is the Boston-based subsidiary of MetaSystems Hard and Software GmbH, located near Heidelberg, Germany.

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A lifetime commitment to education | Madeline Burillo-Hopkins

It’s the start of a school day at HCC West Loop campus and Dr. Madeline Burillo-Hopkins is walking the halls, talking to students waiting for classes to begin. “How’s everything going?” she asks one student. She leans in and listens intently. Whether it’s a concern with financial aid, finding a ride to school or balancing family obligations and schoolwork, Burillo-Hopkins offers common sense advice rooted in her own experiences.

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A Goal-oriented Leader | Maria DeLorenzis Reyes

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes has over 30 years of experience working in corporations and then starting and building her own business. The combination of corporate and entrepreneurial experience, coupled with business education in varied industries is one of her most significant qualities.

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Strengthening International Relations | Dr. Mei Gechlik

Dr. Mei Gechlik founded Sinotalks LLC after an extensive career in academia and the think-tank world. She took this step because she saw the growing need for a trusted resource highlighting Chinese law and policy to help decision-makers find strategic solutions to problems affecting China and beyond.

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A Bold Leader | Venu Dhupa

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.

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