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Forbes
6 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Forbes Release Fifth Annual '50 Over 50' List, Featuring Women Who Are Defying Age And Gender Barriers
Forbes "50 Over 50" 2025 List Halle Berry photographed by Cliff Watts for Forbes; Maria Shriver and Freada Kapor Klein photographed by Rebecca Miller for Forbes; Suma Krishnan photographed by Jamel Toppin for Forbes NEW YORK, NY – July 30, 2025 – Today, Forbes has unveiled its 2025 '50 Over 50' list, along with Know Your Value and its founder Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe . Now in its fifth year, the annual list includes a cohort of 200 women who have not only achieved great strides in their careers, but who are creating their greatest professional impact after the age of 50. The list covers four different categories – lifestyle, impact, innovation and investment – that shine a light on the entrepreneurs, innovators and artists who are achieving impact at scale, and doing so in the second half of their lives. This year's 50 Over 50 list features powerful women who are making monumental strides in society through their initiatives and leadership including Ellie Hollander (Impact category), President & CEO, Meals on Wheels, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams (Innovation), actress Julie Andrews (Lifestyle) and Colette Kress, CFO of NVIDIA (Investment). 'The 2025 50 Over 50 list demonstrates the ways in which women can make their greatest professional impact in their sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth decades of life,' says Maggie McGrath, editor, ForbesWomen. 'This year's list in particular stands out in the way that the work represented touches every corner of America; these women are actively working to make the country better than they found it, whether through making our financial system more equitable or finding biotech breakthroughs for rare disease. Their resilience reminds us that success and innovation have no age limit.' 'This year's list proves that we're not just shining a light on a few special women, but tapping into a groundswell of powerful, impactful and simply remarkable women who are reaching their highest heights and then continuing to do so well after the age of 50,' says Mika Brzezinski, founder of Know Your Value and co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe . 'I could not be more proud of how this list is growing on a global level and is creating a community that is setting the standard for younger women — showing them the way down that long runway of opportunity.' This year's list also includes: ● Halle Berry, (Lifestyle) – the first, and so far only, Black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, is now focusing on women's health at 58 with her company Respin, a menopause-focused health care company. ● Maria Shriver, (Impact) – after seeing her father suffer from Alzheimer's, Shriver founded the Women's Alzheimer's Movement in 2010 to better study the gender disparities in brain disease. Today, at 69, Shriver is continuing to grow the foundation, which became a part of the Cleveland Clinic in 2022. Shriver is also the founder of Shriver Media and this year published a best-selling book, 'I Am Maria.' ● Freada Kapor Klein, (Investment) – Kapor Klein, and husband Mitch Kapor, started Kapor Capital in 1999 and, in 2011, changed its strategy to invest exclusively in social mission–oriented startups. At 72, her firm has 138 active investments and $224 million in assets under management. In the last three years, seven of its portfolio companies have reached unicorn status. ● Suma Krishnan, (Innovation) – Krishnan was in her late 40s when she had the idea for a topical gene therapy to treat a rare skin disorder called dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and later went on to cofound and self-fund Krystal Biotech. Today, at 60, Krishnan's company is worth more than $4 billion (market cap) and has one FDA-approved therapy on the market, with others in the works. Additional feature stories running within the 50 Over 50 package include: ● At 81, Kelly Bishop Is Still Reinventing Herself ● How Halle Berry Became The New Face Of Menopause ● Vanna White Is Television's Most Unshakable Star ● How This Founder Turned A Crocs-Inspired Tote Into A $100 Million Business Produced in partnership with Mika Brzezinski's Know Your Value, Brzezinski will share more on this year's 50 Over 50 list this morning during Morning Joe on MSNBC. To celebrate this year's list, Forbes and Mika Brzezinski's Know Your Value will host its 2025 invite-only 50 Over 50 Celebratory Luncheon in the fall. The luncheon will convene the list members, business executives, culture leaders and more to an in-person gathering featuring connection, merriment, inspiration and intimate conversations with fellow list honorees. In 2026, Forbes and Know Your Value will be hosting its fifth annual 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi coinciding with International Women's Day, honoring women list makers from the Forbes 50 Over 50 and 30 Under 30 lists. The immersive event, led by Mika Brzezinski, Huma Abedin and Maggie McGrath, will bring together dynamic women from both platforms for the opportunity to create cross-generational alliances and provide guidance and insights to women at every stage of their career, while also offering diverse perspectives and rich cultural immersion. For information about the 2026 event and to receive updates about next year's summit, please visit 2026 Forbes 30/50 Summit. For the full list visit: To follow the conversation online, use #Forbes50Over50 Forbes Media Contacts: Christina Vega Magrini, cmagrini@ Feryal Nawaz, fnawaz@ Know Your Value Media Contact: Claudia Meyer-Samargia,
The National
3 days ago
- Health
- The National
Trailblazing Dubai Police officer shares pride after being named first female brigadier
A long-serving Dubai Police officer has become the first woman to achieve the rank of brigadier in the 69-year history of Dubai Police. Colonel Samira Abdullah Al Ali's appointment came under a round of promotions for senior officers, non-commissioned officers and personnel under the directive of Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Brigadier Al Ali was given the promotion after 31 years of service to Dubai Police. She currently heads the insurance department at Dubai Police and has played a pivotal role in developing world-class insurance practices that support the organisation's assets and operations. 'This promotion is a source of pride for every woman in Dubai Police and a testament to the organisation's dedication to granting women equal opportunities to lead and serve their country,' she said. 'This rank carries great responsibility. I will do everything in my power to live up to the confidence placed in me and continue contributing meaningfully to our beloved nation and the institution I'm proud to be part of.' Brigadier Al Ali joined Dubai Police in October 1994, following her graduation from the UAE University in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in insurance. After an initial spell working in the private insurance industry, she enrolled in a women's preparatory course at the Dubai Police Academy after responding to a newspaper recruitment advert. Her role was alongside two other workers, but the office quickly evolved to become a specialised department with three major sections covering all insurance matters relating to Dubai Police assets. Her growing leadership talents led her to become the first woman to work at the General Department of Transport and Rescue, and eventually take up a senior position in a department that had previously only employed men. Pioneering role The department she leads has since gone on to develop several innovations, including adding unmanned drones to insurance coverage, work injury insurance for volunteers and medical malpractice insurance for staff at Dubai Police Health Centre. In 2022, Brigadier Al Ali, who has a son, was named Outstanding Female Employee (2022) in the Emirates Women Award by Dubai Quality Group. 'No other police agency in the UAE has a dedicated Insurance Department like ours,' she said. 'We handle all types of insurance operations, constantly updating and monitoring policies to meet evolving needs. 'Discipline and commitment, which I learnt at Dubai Police, helped me balance my professional and personal life. 'I always remind my 22-member team, including three women, to believe in yourselves and trust in God. With faith and effort, everything is possible.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Women likely ruled in Stone Age China, DNA analysis of 4,500-year-old skeletons reveals
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Women headed communities in eastern China about 4,500 years ago, a DNA analysis reveals. While analyzing the ancient DNA of skeletons buried in Stone Age cemeteries in China, archaeologists discovered that the society was organized in an extremely rare way: Everyone belonged to one of two clans headed by women, and people were buried in their maternal clans for at least 10 generations. At the archaeological site of Fujia in eastern China, researchers discovered two cemeteries roughly 330 feet (100 meters) apart flanking an ancient residential area. More than 500 burials were excavated and radiocarbon-dated to between 2750 and 2500 B.C. In a study published June 4 in the journal Nature, an international team of researchers detailed their analysis of the DNA of 60 skeletons discovered at Fujia — 14 from the north cemetery and 46 from the south cemetery. All 14 people from the north cemetery shared the same type of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is transmitted only from mother to child. This suggests that all of the people had the same maternal lineage, the researchers wrote in the study. In the south cemetery, the researchers identified a different mitochondrial DNA lineage that was shared by 44 of the 46 people they tested. And when the researchers analyzed the Y chromosomes from the male skeletons, they found a high degree of diversity. Together, those findings suggest that the fathers of those buried in the cemeteries came from different lineages while the mothers were related. "By integrating mtDNA and Y-chromosome analyses, we provide evidence that most individuals at Fujia, irrespective of their sex, were buried according to their maternal lineage," the researchers wrote in the study. In particular, both teenage and adult males were buried exclusively in their maternal clans, which "aligns with the common norms of a matrilineal society," according to the study. Such findings of ancient societies organized along maternal lines are rare. Only three other studies have used DNA analysis to identify matrilineal communities: Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, Celtic elites in southern Germany, and the Durotriges in Iron Age Britain. Similar practices, however, have been found in contemporary Southeast Asian matrilineal societies. Related: 'Overkill' injuries on Bronze Age skeletons reveal fierce feuding in ancient China Deeper analysis revealed high rates of "consanguinity" — marrying a blood relative — over the span of 10 generations. While many people likely married their second or third cousins, four individuals showed signs of mating with first cousins or closer relatives. While such consanguinity may not be the preferred marriage pattern, it inevitably occurs when you have small, closed-off societies, the researchers wrote. RELATED STORIES —Complete Bronze Age town with elite tombs discovered in northern China —Lavish 2,200-year-old tomb unearthed in China may be that of ancient king —2,200-year-old grave in China contains 'Red Princess of the Silk Road' whose teeth were painted with a toxic substance This "unique social organization" has not been found previously in Stone Age East Asian populations, according to the researchers. "It is exciting to find a matrilineal society in Neolithic China," Yu Dong, an archaeologist at Shandong University who was not involved in the study, said in a statement. The Fujia study provides key insights into the social and environmental conditions during the transition from smaller to more complex societies, the researchers wrote. Future DNA and archaeological research should help clarify matrilineal social organization in early human societies, they added.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Women CEOs Reach Record High On 2025 Fortune 500 List, But With Only 2 Black Women Listed Representation Is Still Lacking
For the first time in its 71-year history, the 2025 Fortune 500 list shows that women lead 11% of the largest U.S. companies by revenue. Surpassing the 10% mark is a historic milestone in corporate leadership, Fortune reports. Now 55 women serve as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, up from 52 in both 2023 and 2024. While this is positive news, only two of the 55 women are Black: Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of TIAA, and Toni Townes-Whitley, CEO of Science Applications International Corp. The rise in women-led companies is largely due to internal promotions. Per Fortune, companies such as Freeport-McMoRan, Principal Financial Group, Ulta Beauty, U.S. Bancorp, J.B. Hunt Transport, and Marathon Petroleum Corp. all appointed women from within their executive ranks to the CEO role. Notably: Kathleen Quirk was promoted from CFO to CEO at Freeport-McMoRan. Deanna Strable-Soethout now leads Principal Financial Group. Kecia Steelman was elevated to CEO at Ulta Beauty. Gunjan Kedia is taking the reins at U.S. Bancorp. Shelley Simpson stands at the top of J.B. Hunt Transport. Maryann Mannen now heads Marathon Petroleum Corp. Other significant appointments include Susan Morris at Albertsons and Marina Cheung, who became CEO of S&P Global after serving as president of S&P Global Ratings. Further adding to the record-breaking figures this year is SiriusXM, making its debut on the Fortune 500 for the first time. Even with these advancements, Black women are still glaringly underrepresented in corporate leadership positions. The only Black women on the 2025 list are the same two CEOs, Duckett and Townes-Whitley. The persistent disparity in racial equity highlights more general issues, particularly as some businesses turn away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as AFROTECH previously reported. Jennifer McCollum, president and CEO of Catalyst, a workplace gender equity organization, shines some light on the matter in an article from People of Color in Tech (POCIT). '…We're seeing more companies roll back on DEI initiatives at large companies. If companies reduce their commitment to these policies, there is great risk of progress stalling or even reversing, impacting opportunities for generations of talent to come,' McCollum said. As Fortune reports, the 2025 Fortune 500 businesses generate $19.9 trillion in revenue between them, two-thirds of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). The importance of who runs these businesses extends well beyond representation. As more women step into top leadership roles, racial equity and inclusive leadership are equally important. The Fortune 500's future hinges on recommitting to DEI initiatives, developing robust talent pipelines, and elevating diverse leaders. These actions are essential to guarantee that the nation's diversity is accurately reflected in the next generation of corporate leadership. The post Women CEOs Reach Record High On 2025 Fortune 500 List, But With Only 2 Black Women Listed Representation Is Still Lacking appeared first on post Women CEOs Reach Record High On 2025 Fortune 500 List, But With Only 2 Black Women Listed Representation Is Still Lacking appeared first on AfroTech. Sign in to access your portfolio
Malay Mail
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
PKR names new Sabah women leaders as state election intensifies
KOTA KINABALU, June 14 — PKR Wanita vice-chief Datin Rufinah Pengeran has been appointed the party's new Sabah Women's chief, while Kalabakan division Wanita chief Noraini Abd Ghapur has been named as her deputy. PKR Wanita chief Fadhlina Sidek said the appointments were decided during a meeting she chaired yesterday. 'These appointments are crucial to ensure the smooth operation of Sabah PKR Wanita's activities in preparation for the state election. I am confident in the strong commitment shown by the Sabah women's wing. 'Rufinah's leadership and experience will ensure the best preparations for the election,' Fadhlina said in a statement today. She said Sabah PKR's women's wing had formed an election committee in January and is now actively operating to strengthen preparations at all levels. 'This is to ensure the women's machinery is ready to enter the election arena in an organised and strategic manner,' said Fadhlina, who also urged all PKR Wanita members in the state to stand united and work towards victory in the elections. Noraini Abd Ghapur (front row, second from right) is the new Sabah PKR women's deputy chief. — Picture from Facebook/Noraini Abd Ghapur The current term of the Sabah state legislative assembly expires on Nov 11. — Bernama
