Corporate boardrooms are no longer just male territory. A powerful shift is underway, led by women in business who are driving change across sectors like finance, healthcare, consumer goods, and media. These women-run businesses are not only redefining leadership but also boosting innovation and growth. Their presence is helping businesses reach new benchmarks in resilience, adaptability, and long-term value. The rise of female leadership in business is not symbolic—it’s smart investing. According to McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2024 report, C-suite roles held by women have increased from 17% in 2015 to 29% in 2024, proving that investors and industries alike are recognizing the strategic advantage of diversity at the top.
Strong Female Leadership in Action
One leading example is the Hershey Company (HSY), where CEO Michele Buck has made history as its first woman CEO. Since stepping into the role in 2017, Buck has guided Hershey through a series of successful acquisitions like Pirate’s Booty and ONE Brands, modernized its supply chain, and doubled down on healthier snacking options. Her direct-to-consumer strategies and agile market approach have set a new standard in food and beverage retail. At General Motors (GM), Mary Barra, CEO since 2014, steered the company out of crisis and into a future-focused strategy emphasizing electric vehicles, global innovation, and transparent leadership—all driven by her commitment to reshaping automotive excellence through inclusion and transformation.
This momentum is being noticed in the financial world, too. ESG-conscious funds are increasingly targeting companies led by women. Today, women-founded startups and companies account for 42% of U.S. businesses, providing jobs to 9.4 million people and generating $1.9 trillion in annual revenue—a compelling reason to include them in any portfolio.
Yet challenges remain. Only 2% of venture capital funding goes to women-run businesses. Women entrepreneurs are also less likely to apply for loans compared to male founders, often due to biased investment questioning and limited access to funding networks. Investors typically ask female founders about potential risks, while male entrepreneurs are quizzed on growth opportunities—a structural hurdle that persists.
Despite these barriers, female leadership in business continues to deliver, making these companies attractive investment opportunities. If you’re looking to benefit from this upward trend, consider four public companies with strong women at the helm: Disney, Progressive, GSK, and Coca-Cola. Each showcases innovation, growth, and leadership fueled by accomplished women executives.
4 Women-Led Stocks Worth Your Attention
1. Walt Disney Company (DIS)
Dana Walden
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Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, oversees content and television across Disney+ and Hulu. Under her direction, the company has refocused its entertainment strategy toward premium, franchise-aligned content. Walden streamlined production operations and realigned Hulu’s programming with shifting audience interests. These efforts have not only helped Disney navigate declining linear TV viewership but have also strengthened its position in the global streaming race.
Her leadership has balanced creativity with operational efficiency. Disney’s strategic content approach—where entertainment supports theme parks, merchandising, and licensing—has become even more synergistic under Walden. As Disney aims for streaming profitability, her mix of innovation and business discipline ensures stability in a rapidly evolving media environment.
2. The Progressive Corporation (PGR)
Tricia Griffith
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Progressive’s CEO since 2016, has transformed the insurer into a market leader. Under her, annual revenues have doubled to $75 billion. Griffith emphasized customer segmentation and expanded direct sales channels to grow Progressive’s reach. She also spearheaded the adoption of telematics-based services like Snapshot, encouraging safe driving and improving underwriting precision.
Griffith’s use of AI in business processes has modernized claims and customer service, leading to better satisfaction and lower costs. She’s also focused on DEI, making Progressive one of the most inclusive workplaces in the U.S. Her balanced leadership—merging innovation, profitability, and equity—has earned Progressive a place among America’s top insurers and employers.
3. GSK plc (GSK)
Dame Emma Walmsley
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CEO since 2017, led GSK’s overhaul with a focus on pharmaceuticals. She exited underperforming segments, sharpened the company’s research priorities, and emphasized treatments for HIV, oncology, and respiratory conditions. Walmsley terminated over 30 stalled drug programs to streamline the pipeline and enhance investor returns.
GSK recently celebrated the FDA approval of Blujepa, a groundbreaking antibiotic. With projected 2031 launches of 14 major drugs, GSK under Walmsley is heading toward long-term pharmaceutical leadership. While share performance has had highs and lows, Walmsley’s leadership and product focus have given GSK a clear and disciplined roadmap.
4. The Coca-Cola Company (KO)
Lisa Chang
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Global Chief People Officer at Coca-Cola, drives the company’s workforce transformation. Since 2019, she’s led digital learning shifts, boosted internal mobility, and championed inclusive culture strategies. Coca-Cola’s internal Opportunity Marketplace allows employees to work on cross-functional projects, fostering agility and engagement.
Chang also accelerated remote workforce development, introduced rapid digital training platforms, and infused DEI into company strategy. Her work has reshaped Coca-Cola’s global workforce for efficiency, well-being, and innovation. As the brand continues to evolve, her leadership ensures its people and practices stay ahead of the curve.
AI Application in These Companies
AI is playing a growing role in how these companies operate:
- Progressive: Uses AI for real-time risk assessment, claims automation, and pricing optimization.
- Disney: Applies AI in content recommendation algorithms and production workflows.
- GSK: Leverages AI in drug discovery and clinical trials.
- Coca-Cola: Integrates AI in HR processes, consumer behavior analysis, and supply chain optimization.
These examples show how women in business are at the forefront of applying advanced technologies for efficiency and innovation.
FAQs
1. Why is investing in women-run businesses considered a smart strategy?
Women-led firms often outperform due to diverse leadership, customer-centric strategies, and a focus on long-term sustainability.
2. What sectors are seeing the most growth in female leadership?
Sectors like healthcare, finance, technology, and consumer goods are seeing a strong rise in female leadership in business.
3. Do women-founded startups get enough investor support?
Not yet. Despite strong performance, they receive only 2% of venture capital funding due to systemic bias and access gaps.
4. How can AI improve women-led company performance?
AI helps automate processes, personalize customer experiences, and optimize operations—tools increasingly used by women executives.
5. What role does diversity play in investment decisions today?
Diversity is now a major factor in ESG and ethical investing frameworks, often tied to long-term performance and lower risk.
