25 Visionary Women Shaping the Future of Tech in 2025

Women are driving some of the most groundbreaking advancements in technology today. From AI and fintech to e-commerce and sustainability, they are launching disruptive startups, leading global enterprises, and redefining what’s possible. In recognition of Women’s History Month, Actual Agency is spotlighting 25 extraordinary female leaders who are shaping the future of tech. These innovators are not only breaking barriers but also setting new industry standards, transforming businesses, and inspiring the next generation.

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Here are the women to watch in 2025:‍

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Pioneers in Innovation

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1. Bridgit Mendler

Bridgit Mendler, known for her acting career, now leads Northwood Space, developing cutting-edge satellite infrastructure for global connectivity. Her transition to aerospace, combined with a law degree from Harvard and a Ph.D. from MIT, enables her to navigate both legal and technical challenges expertly, reshaping satellite communications and democratizing access to space technology.

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2. Sallie Krawcheck

A veteran of Wall Street and former executive at Citigroup and Bank of America, Sallie Krawcheck, founded Ellevest to tackle the gender investing gap. With a finance degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Columbia Business School, she has dedicated her career to empowering women financially. As a strong advocate for gender equity in wealth management, Krawcheck ensures women have the tools and resources necessary for achieving financial independence and security.

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3. Melanie Perkins

Melanie Perkins reshaped design with Canva, making professional-grade graphic tools accessible to millions around the globe. Hailing from Perth, Australia, she studied communications, psychology, and commerce at the University of Western Australia. Her vision to simplify design has turned Canva into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, enabling individuals and businesses to harness intuitive design capabilities. Her leadership has transformed the creative industry, proving that tech-driven accessibility fosters widespread innovation.

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4. Billie Whitehouse

Australian innovator Billie Whitehouse is at the forefront of wearable technology, seamlessly integrating smart textiles into fashion to enhance user experiences. With a degree in industrial design from the University of Technology Sydney, she merges aesthetics with functionality to develop interactive clothing. Her company, Wearable X, combines technology with everyday apparel, creating products like yoga pants that provide real-time feedback and garments designed to boost athletic performance, demonstrating that fashion and functionality can harmoniously coexist.

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5. Ciara Imani May

Ciara Imani May is transforming the beauty industry with Rebundle, the first U.S.-based brand to offer biodegradable synthetic hair extensions. Originally from North Carolina, she studied business administration at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her innovative approach prioritizes sustainability and hair health for Black women, tackling both environmental concerns and consumer wellness. May's mission extends beyond haircare—she is reshaping the hair industry with eco-friendly alternatives.‍

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Driving Change and Impact

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6. Elizabeth Stone

Elizabeth Stone is an experienced and accomplished technology leader who serves as the chief technology officer (CTO) at Netflix and is a global leader in streaming services. Her career encompasses a wide range of expertise, from data science to product development, and she has played a crucial role in shaping Netflix’s data and technology strategies. This includes optimizing streaming performance, enhancing personalization algorithms, and innovating content recommendation systems. Before her tenure at Netflix, Stone held positions at Lyft and Nuna Inc. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Ph.D. in Economics from Stanford University.

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7. Davida Herzl

Davida Herzl leads Aclima, which provides hyperlocal air quality data to help communities tackle pollution and climate change through advanced environmental technology. She earned her JD from Santa Clara University School of Law and transitioned into climate tech to address one of the globe’s most urgent issues. Through Aclima, Herzl empowers policymakers and communities with data-driven insights to create healthier environments.

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8. Eleanor Lightbody

In the legal technology sphere, Eleanor Lightbody is at the helm of Luminance, a company that is transforming document review and compliance through artificial intelligence. Holding a degree in law from the University of Edinburgh and possessing extensive experience in tech-driven legal transformation, she is making legal work more efficient and minimizing human errors, ultimately enhancing decision-making processes.

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9. Michelle Zatlyn

Originally from Canada, Michelle Zatlyn co-founded Cloudflare, a company that improves cybersecurity and performance optimization for millions of websites across the globe. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a degree in science from McGill University. Michelle is the president and chief operating officer at Cloudfare and serves on the company’s board of directors. In the past, Zatlyn was named one of Elle magazine’s “Women Who Rule Silicon Valley” and one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders. 

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10. Jacky Wright

With over 20 years of experience, Jacky Wright is a leading global technology executive renowned for her role in business transformation and social impact. As McKinsey's first Chief Technology and Platform Officer and a senior partner, she manages the firm's technology strategy and portfolio, helping global organizations innovate sustainably. She leads a team of over 40,000 colleagues across 66 countries, enhancing technological capabilities and accelerating client solutions. ‍

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Leading the Way Forward

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11. Safra Catz

Originally from Israel and raised in the U.S., Safra Catz has played a key role in Oracle’s expansion and global growth. With a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, she made a smooth transition into the tech field, where she has managed strategic acquisitions and operational changes that have established Oracle as a leader in cloud computing and enterprise software.

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12. Kate Crawford

Kate Crawford is a renowned authority on AI ethics and the societal effects of artificial intelligence. Hailing from Australia, she earned a PhD in media studies and has spent over twenty years exploring the intersection of technology, policy, and human rights. She serves as a Research Professor at USC Annenberg, a Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research, and is a co-founder of the AI Now Institute at NYU. Crawford’s work confronts the biases inherent in AI systems and promotes responsible governance, making her a leading voice in AI ethics.

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13. Sarah Edwards

Sarah Edwards is a prominent figure in professional services technology, acting as the Chief Product Officer at Kantata. With a foundation in product development and strategic planning, she plays a crucial role in refining project management and resource allocation for businesses globally. Edwards has a degree in business and technology management, and her proficiency in SaaS solutions has enabled organizations to enhance operations and maximize efficiency. Under her guidance, Kantata has improved its product range, solidifying its position as a top provider of professional services automation solutions.

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14. Ming Zhao

Ming Zhao is transforming the beauty industry with Proven Skincare, an AI-powered company that offers personalized skincare solutions. Originally from China, Zhao studied business at Harvard. By leveraging AI and big data, Proven Skincare tailors products to an individual's skin profile, lifestyle, and environmental influences. This scientific methodology has garnered significant recognition, placing the brand at the forefront of AI-driven beauty innovation.

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15. Carol Reiley

Carol Reiley is a pioneer in AI and robotics, co-founding Drive.ai, an innovative company specializing in autonomous vehicle technology. She holds degrees in computer engineering and robotics from Santa Clara University and Johns Hopkins University. Reiley is committed to advancing AI applications in self-driving technology, healthcare, and robotics, making notable contributions to human-AI collaboration. Additionally, she is a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM and AI ethics, establishing herself as a key figure in the evolving landscape of AI-driven transportation.

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16. Christine Moseley

Christine Moseley is an entrepreneur focused on sustainability and the founder of Full Harvest, a marketplace dedicated to minimizing food waste by linking farmers with businesses in need of surplus produce. Originally from North Carolina, she earned her MBA from Wharton Business School and possesses over ten years of expertise in supply chain management and sustainability. Under her leadership, Full Harvest has preserved millions of pounds of produce from waste, tackling environmental challenges and economic inefficiencies. Moseley’s efforts to foster a more sustainable food system have earned her widespread acclaim in the agritech and sustainability arenas.

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17. Claire Tomkins

Claire Tomkins is transforming the fertility healthcare sector as the CEO of Future Family, a fintech company that provides accessible and flexible financial solutions for fertility treatments. She holds a PhD from Stanford University and has a background in technology and business. After navigating the high expenses and complexities of fertility treatments, she founded Future Family to assist individuals and couples in obtaining necessary care without financial burdens. Her innovative model merges fintech with healthcare, making fertility treatments more accessible and financially feasible.

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Empowering the Future

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18. Stacy Brown-Philpot

Stacy Brown-Philpot is a veteran of the tech industry and the founder of Cherryrock Capital, an investment firm dedicated to empowering aspiring entrepreneurs. A native of Detroit, she holds an undergraduate degree from Wharton and an MBA from Stanford. Formerly the CEO of TaskRabbit, she was instrumental in scaling the company before its acquisition by IKEA. Brown-Philpot is committed to enhancing diversity in tech and supports underrepresented founders through her initiatives.

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19. Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross is an actress, entrepreneur, and activist committed to supporting transgender individuals within the technology sector. Hailing from Wisconsin, Ross navigated numerous personal and professional challenges to launch TransTech Social Enterprises, a nonprofit that offers education, mentorship, and job opportunities for transgender and gender non-conforming people. A self-taught coder, she leverages her platform to promote diversity in the tech field and advocate for fair employment chances. Her influence reaches beyond technology as she drives social change through media and advocacy.

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20. Jay Graber

Jay Graber is at the forefront of decentralized social networking as the CEO of Bluesky, an initiative supported by Twitter that aims to give users greater control over their online interactions. With a background in software engineering and a computer science degree, she has significant experience in cryptocurrency and open-source development. Originally from the U.S., Graber imagines a future where social media is less dominated by centralized companies and more adaptable to user preferences. Her knowledge of decentralized technologies places her at the forefront of social media's next evolution.

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21. Jillian Anderson

Jillian Anderson is transforming safety and accessibility in the rideshare industry as the founder of HERide, a platform designed to prioritize the safety and empowerment of women. Based in Atlanta, Anderson recognized the need for a female-centric rideshare option after witnessing safety issues with traditional transportation services. With a degree in business and experience in tech startups, she has successfully built HERide into a reliable alternative. Her dedication to fostering a safer rideshare environment for women distinguishes her as a prominent entrepreneur in the mobility and transportation field.

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22. Leah Solivan

Leah Solivan has reshaped the gig economy by founding TaskRabbit, a platform that connects individuals with freelancers for various everyday tasks. After studying computer science at Sweet Briar College and working as a software engineer, she created TaskRabbit in 2008, spotting a need for on-demand assistance. She successfully developed TaskRabbit into a widely recognized service before its acquisition by IKEA. Solivan continues to invest in and offer guidance to startups, influencing the future of labor marketplaces and tech-enabled convenience services.

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23. Rana el Kaliouby

Rana el Kaliouby is a trailblazing AI scientist and entrepreneur known for her innovative work in emotion recognition technology. Born in Egypt, she completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge and served as a research scientist at MIT before establishing Affectiva. Her research aims to humanize AI by enabling machines to recognize and appropriately respond to human emotions, with applications spanning marketing, healthcare, and automotive safety. El Kaliouby’s contributions have positioned her as a vital advocate for ethical AI development and the synchrony between technology and human psychology.

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24. Symoné Berry

Symoné Berry offers guidance and resources to help individuals pursue careers in government technology through her organization, GovTechCon, an initiative promoting digital advancement in public service. GovTechCon unites government officials, tech companies, and innovators to explore and apply technological solutions for public sector challenges. Berry’s work plays a crucial role in modernizing government services and enhancing citizen engagement.

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25. Seema Alexander

Seema Alexander is a prominent leader in the startup and AI ecosystem, focused on empowering entrepreneurs and advancing technology. As co-chair of DC Startup & Tech Week, she fosters collaboration among founders, investors, and industry leaders. Additionally, she co-founded Virgent AI, driving innovation in AI applications. Seema also created the Disruptive CEO Advisory and the U.N.I.Q.U.E. Method™, a framework for building strong brands through growth and technology. 

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Happy Women’s History Month!

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The women featured in this list are pioneers in technology and leadership. Their varied experiences, skills, and remarkable accomplishments are transforming various sectors and motivating future generations. Their journeys highlight the significant influence women have in the tech field.

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Actual Agency celebrates and uplifts women tech leaders' contributions year round. If you know of other women leaders and entrepreneurs we should include in our 2025 list, please let us know at info@actual.agency.

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