Top 20 Business Leaders Who Changed The World

Founder & CEO · Girls Who Code

Technology / Education

Saujani identified a critical gap in the tech industry and took transformative action. As founder of Girls Who Code, she empowered over 500,000 girls across 50+ countries to enter technology — challenging systemic industry norms and building one of the most impactful non-profits of the decade.

CEO · Apple Inc.

Technology

Cook demonstrated unprecedented adaptability and innovation, continuing Steve Jobs' legacy while charting Apple's own course. He championed environmental sustainability, supply-chain transparency, and user privacy — growing Apple to become the world's most valuable company.

Former COO · Meta (Facebook)

Technology

As COO of Facebook from 2008 to 2022, Sandberg transformed it into a global tech giant. Her best-selling book Lean In and the Lean In Foundation made her one of the most influential advocates for women in business, while her leadership scaled Facebook's ad revenue from $272M to $86B.

CEO · The Walt Disney Company

Media & Entertainment

Iger led transformative acquisitions of Marvel, Pixar, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, expanding Disney's portfolio into a global entertainment empire. His return as CEO in 2022 demonstrated how great leaders drive momentum even in turbulent times.

Co-founder & Former CEO · Netflix

Technology / Entertainment

Hastings revolutionised digital entertainment by transitioning Netflix from DVD rentals to the world's largest streaming platform. His commitment to a culture of radical candour and freedom with responsibility reshaped modern corporate culture.

Chair & CEO · General Motors

Automotive

Barra became the first woman to lead a major global automaker. She steered GM's transformation toward electric vehicles with the Chevrolet Bolt and the Ultium platform, committing $35 billion to EV and autonomous vehicle development through 2025.

Founder & CEO · Tencent

Technology

Ma built Tencent into one of the world's largest internet companies, pioneering social media (WeChat) and mobile payments in China. His leadership turned a messaging app into a super-platform connecting over 1.2 billion users.

Founder · Alibaba Group

E-commerce / Technology

Despite numerous rejections in his early career, Ma persevered and founded Alibaba, holding the record for the largest IPO in history at $25 billion. He transformed e-commerce in China and became the first mainland Chinese entrepreneur to appear on the cover of Forbes.

Co-founder · WhatsApp

Technology

Born in Kyiv, Koum immigrated to the U.S. at age 16 and leveraged his programming skills to create WhatsApp — one of the fastest-downloaded apps globally. The $19.3 billion acquisition by Facebook in 2014 demonstrated how a simple idea, executed brilliantly, can create transformative global solutions.

Co-founder · Microsoft / Gates Foundation

Technology / Philanthropy

Gates co-founded Microsoft and played a pivotal role in making personal computing accessible to the masses. His transition into philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation addresses some of the world's most pressing health and education challenges, with a pledge to donate the vast majority of his wealth.

CEO · Tesla / SpaceX

Technology / Automotive / Space

Musk co-founded PayPal, founded SpaceX, and leads Tesla Motors. His leadership style is characterised by ambitious goal-setting and a focus on disruptive technologies — bringing increased exposure to solar power, high-speed transportation, and AI.

CEO · Berkshire Hathaway

Finance / Investments

The 'Wizard of Omaha' built Berkshire Hathaway into a $900B+ conglomerate through disciplined value investing. Buffett's pledge to donate 99% of his wealth to philanthropic causes shows that financial acumen and social responsibility are inseparable for truly great leaders.

Former CEO · LinkedIn

Technology

As CEO of LinkedIn from 2008 to 2020, Weiner drove the platform's explosive growth with his vision of creating economic opportunity for a global workforce. His management philosophy of leading with compassion extended beyond business — he served on the boards of DonorsChoose.org and Malaria No More.

Founder & Executive Chairman · Amazon

E-commerce / Technology

Bezos transformed an online bookstore into the world's largest e-commerce platform and cloud computing company. Under his leadership, Amazon disrupted retail through relentless customer obsession, rapid expansion, and innovations like AWS, Alexa, and Prime.

Co-founder & President · Lyft

Technology / Transportation

Zimmer co-founded Lyft after starting Zimride, a rideshare service on college campuses. He adapted the business model to compete with established giants, helping make Lyft one of the fastest-growing tech companies while championing a more community-oriented approach to ride-sharing.

Former CEO & Chair · Xerox Corporation

Technology / Business Services

Burns journeyed from an NYC housing project to becoming the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. Starting as a summer intern at Xerox in 1980, she rose to CEO by 2009, transforming it into one of the world's most diversified business services companies and becoming a vocal advocate for diversity in corporate leadership.

Founder & CEO · Thrive Global / HuffPost

Media / Wellness Technology

Huffington founded The Huffington Post in 2005 and later Thrive Global, a behavioural technology company. She discussed the concept of burnout before it became a professional buzzword, showcasing how great leaders can revolutionise the way a wider population works and lives.

Former Chair & CEO · PepsiCo

FMCG / Consumer Goods

During Nooyi's tenure as CEO, PepsiCo's net revenue increased by more than 80% and shareholder return hit 162%. She created 'Performance with Purpose' — balancing financial success with nutritious products, environmental sustainability, and design-driven innovation.

Former CEO · eBay / HP

Technology / E-commerce

Whitman navigated eBay through the dot-com bubble, growing it from $5.7M to $8B in sales. She then led Hewlett-Packard's division into HP Enterprise and HP Inc. Her transition to politics as U.S. Ambassador to Kenya demonstrates versatile leadership across sectors.

Former CEO · Walgreens Boots Alliance

Retail / Healthcare

Brewer's executive tenures at Walmart, Sam's Club, Starbucks, and Walgreens demonstrate immense versatility. She was the only Black woman CEO of an S&P 500 company, consistently breaking barriers and bringing fresh perspectives to male-dominated industries.