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Forbes recently released their 2015 World’s Most Powerful Women list, spotlighting leading power women whose influence has global impact.
Choosing from a preliminary group of over 300 candidates, the 100 women were selected based off money, media presence, spheres of influence and impact. While several familiar names such as Oprah Winfrey, First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyoncé and Hillary Clinton made the list, the dynamic group is rounded out with women who are making power moves in philanthropy, business, technology, finance and several other fields.
[Related: 12 Entrepreneurial Success Tips From Powerful Black Business Women]
Click below to see which black female power leaders you should get to know.
First Lady Michelle Obama:
Coming in at No. 10 on the list is First Lady Michelle Obama has garnered global impact for not only her role as First Lady of the United States, but for her community efforts both domestic and abroad. Earlier this year, she traveled to Southeast Asia to promote education and financial stability for young women and during her visit to Saudi Arabia she made headlines for not covering her head when meeting with the president.
Oprah Winfrey:
Media mogul and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey is certainly no stranger to the list. With her own cable network, a successful acting career, her Harpo production company, her self-titled magazine and several other business ventures, Ms. Winfrey has an estimated net worth of $3 billion. Coming in the No. 12 spot, Winfrey is also known for her philanthropic work which includes her own school for young girls in South Africa and her generous contributions to HBCUs.
Ursula Burns:
As the CEO of Xerox, Burns is responsible for helping the company grow its adjusted earnings per share from $1.02 in 2012 to $1.09 and its full-year revenue to $21.4 billion. Working her way up the corporate ladder from a 1980 summer intern at Xerox, Burns is ranked No. 29 on Forbes Power Women list.
Ertharin Cousin:
Coming in at No. 47 on the list, Ertharin Cousin is head of the UN World Food Programme, which is the world’s largest agency battling food insecurity and hunger. A native of Chicago, this is Cousin’s second time making the prestigious list.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala:
As the Minister of Finance for Nigeria, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is responsible for growing
the country’s economy by an average of 6 percent over three years. A graduate of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Okonjo-Iweala spent 21 years as a development economist at the World Bank before stepping into her current position.
Rosalind Brewer:
As President and CEO of Sam’s Club, Rosalind Brewer is the first woman and first African American to lead a Walmart division. Serving on the board for Lockheed Martin and the board of trustees for her alma mater, Spelman College, Brewer was also listed on Black Enterprise’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Corporate America list. This is her second time being recognized on Forbes list and this year she ranks in at No. 65.
Folorunsho Alakija:
Coming in at No. 87 on the list, Folorunsho Alakija
is the richest self-made woman in Africa and is one of just two billionaires on the continent. With a net worth of $2.1 billion, much of Alakija wealth comes from her company tapping into one of the most lucrative oil fields in Nigeria.
Risa Lavizzo-Mourey:
As President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Risa Lavizzo-Mourey ranks No. 92 on Forbes list. With $10 billion in assets, RWJF is the largest charitable foundation in the United States that is exclusively dedicated to health. In 2014, Lavizzo-Mourey was appointed one of nine citizen members of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, which is the governing body of the Smithsonian Institute.