Most Empowering Women Leaders to Watch in 2026
Women still hold under a third of senior leadership roles across most major economies, and the gap only widens closer to the top of the largest companies. For the leaders in this edition, closing that gap stopped being a talking point some time ago. It shows up in who they hire, who they promote, and who they choose to mentor long before the numbers on a slide catch up. TradeFlock’s latest edition, “Most Empowering Women Leaders to Watch in 2026,” profiles the executives, founders, and changemakers building that shift from the inside, one decision at a time, long before anyone hands out credit for it.
We spoke with leaders across finance, healthcare, technology, and the social sector, and asked each one what empowerment actually looks like once the hiring headline is behind them. The conversations moved past mentorship programs and diversity targets into harder specifics, the kind that don’t photograph well but change who actually stays. One leader described rebuilding an entire promotion pipeline after realising qualified women kept leaving before their fifth year, quietly, without ever filing a complaint. Another described building an all-women leadership bench years before a merger made succession planning urgent, betting on people the org chart hadn’t caught up to yet.
This edition puts those decisions on record, along with the people and policies behind them. Grab the full digital edition to read every profile in detail.
With extensive experience across IT strategy, digital transformation, business applications, supply chain, and enterprise productivity, Samyuktha Kilaru is a technology and transformation leader. As Sr. Director, Strategy Planning & Delivery – Office of the CIO at NVIDIA, she aligns business objectives with technology capabilities and leads transformation initiatives. Her previous roles at Tech Mahindra, BNSF Railway, GE, and Mahindra Satyam span ERP, cloud, analytics, and global technology delivery. She is committed to simplifying processes through design thinking and maintaining a strong foothold in various domains.
Ananya Sharma
Compliance Senior Manager - Analytics & Advisory
Citizens Financial Group Inc.
Ananya Sharma is a data-driven product and compliance leader with over a decade of experience across fintech and banking. As Compliance Senior Manager – Analytics & Advisory at Citizens Financial Group, she works across AI governance, data strategy, compliance automation, analytics, and responsible innovation. Her previous experience at Santander Bank and Pikky includes developing compliance frameworks, supporting AI-enabled capabilities, leading product strategy, and using data and analytics to improve business and risk decisions.
Anna Niemiec, PhD
R&D Director, Pest Control
Vestacy
Expertise in R&D, scientific innovation, product development, scientific governance, and capability building, Anna Niemiec, PhD, is an experienced R&D leader. As R&D Director, Pest Control at Vestacy, she leads innovation strategy and high-performing teams, building on experience with Reckitt, P&G Health, and J&J.
Anne-Marie Charest
Founder
innerU
With expertise in psychology, mindfulness, education, spirituality, wellbeing, and embodied practice, Anne-Marie Charest, PhD, is a therapist, educator, and facilitator. As Founder of innerU, she brings together psychology and holistic approaches to support personal wellbeing, building on experience with heartfullyU and Antioch University Santa Barbara.
Crystal E. Rizzuto
Owner & CEO
The HR Shoppe
Crystal E. Rizzuto is a strategic human resources leader with extensive experience across people strategy, HR operations, organisational change, and leadership development. As Owner and CEO of The HR Shoppe, she provides fractional HR support and customised solutions for small and mid-sized businesses. Her previous leadership roles at Toro Group of Companies, Auxly, Johnvince Foods, Stericycle, and TigerTel include supporting organisations with up to 1,700 employees, HR transformation, M&A, restructuring, HR systems, and employee programs.
Gita Poudel
Director of Human Capital & Compliance
Maganti IT Resources LLC
With extensive experience across human capital management, HR strategy, compliance, AI governance, and organisational leadership, Gita Poudel is a global HR and compliance leader. As Director of Human Capital & Compliance at Maganti IT Resources LLC, she leads HR strategy, risk, compliance, and employee management. She is also the Founder of The Boardroom Brand and WorkIQ AI, combining leadership advisory, executive branding, and AI-powered employee engagement.
Dr. Kelly Waugaman
Founder
Eldorado Audiology and Hearing Center™
Dr Kelly Waugaman is a Doctor of Audiology, entrepreneur, and healthcare leader with more than 26 years of experience in the sector. As Founder and Owner of Eldorado Audiology and Hearing Center, she has built and operated an independent audiology practice while developing expertise across healthcare, entrepreneurship, and management. She is also the Founder and Creator of Synchronic Intelligence at Clarean, an initiative focused on connecting the human and operational sides of organisations.
Stella Gurgova
Founder & CEO
ES Clinical Research Group
With over 13 years of experience across clinical development, medical research, and clinical operations, Stella Gurgova is a clinical research leader and entrepreneur. As Founder and CEO of ES Clinical Research Group, she focuses on innovative trial designs, Good Clinical Practice, ethical research, and healthcare advancement. Her previous roles at MBX Biosciences, Applied Therapeutics, Neurological Associates of Long Island, and Neurological Surgery P.C. span clinical operations, trial management, and research coordination.
Suany Orrego Carvajal
General Director
Sanfer Colombia
Suany Orrego Carvajal is a pharmaceutical business leader with more than 25 years of experience across Colombia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. As General Director of Sanfer Colombia, she brings extensive expertise in commercial leadership, strategy, sales effectiveness, marketing, and team development. Her previous leadership roles at Sanfer Group, Novartis, and AstraZeneca include general management, marketing, business development, franchise leadership, and primary care, alongside her work as a leadership speaker and mentor.
