Women Who Built Empires: The Female Entrepreneurs Who Broke Glass Ceilings

LUXUO dives into the female-led companies and power players redefining industries — from beauty moguls and fashion disruptors to venture capitalists funding the next big thing. These women didn’t just succeed; they reshaped the rules and expanded what leadership looks like.

Leena Nair (Fashion/Entrepreneurship)

Leena Nair is a British-Indian business executive and the global chief executive officer of Chanel, making history as the first woman and first person of Indian origin to lead the renowned French luxury house. Described as an “outsider to the fashion world”, she is only the second female CEO in Chanel’s 113-year history, following Maureen Chiquet’s tenure from 2007 to 2016. Before joining Chanel in 2022, Nair spent over 30 years at Unilever, where she became the company’s first female, first Asian, and youngest-ever Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). As a key member of Unilever’s Leadership Executive, she played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s people-first approach, championing diversity, and spearheading policies that supported over 150,000 employees worldwide.

She has been vocal about her philosophy of “lifting as you climb,” advocating for more diverse leadership in global business. Her appointment at Chanel was met with overwhelming support — as Insider reported that Nair had received around 7,000 messages from women and girls who saw her as a symbol of progress in luxury leadership. A vocal advocate for inclusivity, she has often spoken about breaking barriers, stating, “I’ve been the first at every job I’ve done — the first woman, the first brown person, the first Asian, the first Indian — but I don’t want to be the last.” With women making up just 6 percent of Fortune Global 500 CEOs, Nair’s leadership at one of the most prestigious luxury brands signals a necessary shift in executive representation.

Melanie Perkins (Tech/Entrepreneurship)

In the tech startup ecosystem, women founders have historically received a small fraction of venture capital funding. As co-founder and CEO of Canva, Perkins has built a user-friendly design platform valued at billions, empowering individuals and businesses worldwide to create professional-quality graphics. Melanie Perkins has democratised design by providing accessible tools to non-designers, challenging the exclusivity of creative industries. She was able to turn a “simple” idea into a global tech empire valued at over USD 25 billion.

Canva quickly became a game-changer, democratising design with its drag-and-drop interface and extensive library of templates. As one of the youngest female tech billionaires, Perkins remains committed to sustainability, accessibility, and empowering creators worldwide. Canva continues to expand beyond design into AI-powered tools, shaping the future of visual communication and digital collaboration.

Serena Williams (Sports)

Beyond her athletic prowess and legacy as one of the greatest tennis players in history, Williams is also a cultural icon, influencing fashion, music, and broader societal narratives. Her unexpected appearance at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February 2025, where she joined Kendrick Lamar on stage, exemplified her seamless blend into mainstream culture with the memorable C-walk. Williams’ journey extends beyond personal accolades; she has been a staunch advocate for women’s empowerment. In 2014, she founded Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in startups led by women and people of color, aiming to level the playing field in entrepreneurship. Her diverse portfolio includes stakes in over 85 companies, such as Impossible Foods and Masterclass, reflecting her commitment to innovation and inclusivity. Her endeavors have not only challenged traditional gender roles but have also inspired countless women to pursue leadership positions across various industries.

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Williams’ business acumen is evident in her strategic investments and brand endorsements. Her partnerships with global brands like Puma, Nike, and Gatorade have complemented her on-court success, contributing significantly to her estimated USD 340 million net worth. Moreover, her ownership stakes in sports franchises, including the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Golf Club, highlight her influence and presence in traditionally male-dominated arenas. Serena Williams’ evolution from a tennis champion to a multifaceted powerhouse exemplifies the definition of what it is to be a woman in power — balancing excellence in sports, business leadership, and cultural influence. Her story continues to both inspire and empower, reinforcing the notion that women can excel across various domains.

Christine Hutter (Watchmaking)

CEO & Owner, Moritz Grossmann

As one of the few female leaders in watchmaking, Hutter’s success in reviving the Moritz Grossmann brand underscores the potential for women to lead and innovate in technical fields traditionally dominated by men. In a male-dominated industry where only 10 percent of executive positions belong to women, Christine Hutter proved that independent haute horlogerie could thrive without corporate backing. She brought a female-led vision to an industry historically defined by Swiss and male dominance, focusing on precision craftsmanship with a distinct German heritage. Hutter’s journey began with a strong personal vision of creating a brand rooted in the highest standards of craftsmanship — a vision that she turned into reality from humble beginnings. Starting the company in her kitchen in 2008, she quickly became a trailblazer in reviving the legacy of Moritz Grossmann, a revered figure in Glashütte. Under her leadership, the brand has become synonymous with technical innovation, producing timepieces that blend tradition with cutting-edge design. The development of the automatic hammer winding mechanism and the brand’s ability to produce 90 percent of its movements in-house set it apart as a true manufacture. Hutter’s approach is not just about the watches; it is about redefining what leadership looks like in the watchmaking industry. Despite being outnumbered, she thrives in a world where male executives are more common. Her presence in the industry not only elevates the status of German watchmaking but also sends a message of empowerment, proving that women can excel in highly technical and historically male-dominated industries.

Read More: Moritz Grossmann CEO Christine Hutter: Triple Threat in the Game of Watches

Selena Gomez (Music/Beauty)

A true multi-hyphenate, Selena Gomez’s influence extends across various industries. Beyond her successful career in entertainment, Gomez has solidified herself as a powerful force in the beauty industry with the launch of Rare Beauty, a brand built on inclusivity and authenticity. Founded in 2020, Rare Beauty has achieved remarkable success, reaching a valuation of over USD 2 billion by 2024. The brand is celebrated for its commitment to inclusivity, offering a diverse shade range and emphasizing ease of use in its product designs. Notably, Rare Beauty’s packaging features a distinctive disc design, enhancing accessibility for individuals with dexterity challenges. Beyond beauty, Gomez has demonstrated a strong commitment to mental health advocacy through the Rare Impact Fund, pledging 1 percent of all sales to raise USD 100 million over ten years to expand mental health services in underserved communities. This blend of commercial success and social responsibility underscores Rare Beauty’s role as a trailblazer in the beauty industry.

In 2025, Rare Beauty’s valuation expanded significantly, buoyed by Gomez’s strategic decisions to expand product lines, partner with global retailers, and enhance its digital presence. Rare Beauty’s commitment to body positivity, self-love, and mental health awareness, all championed by Gomez, resonated deeply with consumers and solidified the brand’s position as a leader in the industry. Additionally, the brand’s unique handicapable packaging design, aimed at accessibility, further boosted its appeal to a wider market, showcasing Gomez’s ability to address consumer needs while growing Rare Beauty into a globally recognised name.

Sabina Belli

Fine jewellery has historically been marketed to women but not by women. As one of the few female CEOs in the luxury jewellery industry, Sabina Belli has reshaped the conversation. Under her leadership, Pomellato has seen record revenue growth while championing gender equality through the “Pomellato for Women” initiative. Launched in 2017, the campaign challenges stereotypes, encourages female ambition, and leverages the brand’s visibility to advocate for change. Beyond awareness, Pomellato supports CADMI, a Milan-based women’s shelter, and partners with the Kering Foundation to combat gender-based violence. Belli’s impact extends beyond jewellery — her book “D Come Donna, C Come CEO” shares her experiences to inspire the next generation of women leaders.

The Financial Times reports that Belli has steered Pomellato into key international markets, establishing a solid presence in China, Japan, and the U.S., thereby enhancing the brand’s global footprint. Under her guidance, Pomellato hosted the “Art & Jewelry” exhibition in Shanghai, showcasing over 100 pieces from its archives and current collections. This event aimed to deepen the brand’s connection with Chinese consumers and highlight its commitment to artistry and quality. Through these efforts, Sabina Belli has not only propelled Pomellato’s growth but also positioned the brand as a beacon of women’s empowerment and cultural sophistication in the luxury jewelry industry.

Jasmine Anteunis (Tech)

Women are vastly underrepresented in AI and various tech industries, yet their contributions are essential in shaping ethical, inclusive AI systems. Jasmine Anteunis (VP product and cofounder, Recast.AI) built a conversational AI startup, Recast.AI, when the field was dominated by male-led tech firms, proving that women could lead in AI innovation. She co-founded Recast.AI in 2015, and just a few years later, the company was acquired by SAP, solidifying her place as a leading figure in the future of AI-powered interactions. Her leadership and innovation led to the company’s acquisition by SAP in January 2018, after successfully raising EUR 2 million in funding in June 2016 from investors including Kima Ventures, managed by Xavier Niel. This acquisition resulted in Recast.AI being rebranded as SAP Conversational AI in early 2019. In recognition of her contributions, Anteunis was named among Europe’s Top 50 Women in Tech by Forbes in 2018. Her journey from studying arts to becoming a leader in AI highlights the transformative potential of women in driving technological innovation.

Recast.AI focused on simplifying the process of building AI-driven conversational agents, enabling companies to enhance customer service and automate interactions through advanced natural language processing and machine learning technologies. The platform served clients across various industries, including telecommunications, transportation, and construction. Recast.AI serves more than 20 high-profile customers, including telecoms company SFR, construction group Bouygues, and French rail firm SNCF. Anteunis’ success is a reflection of the growing presence and impact of women in AI.

Bela Bajaria (Entertainment & Television)

As the chief content officer at Netflix, Bela Bajaria’s leadership represents a shift not just in who holds power in Hollywood but in the kinds of stories that reach audiences worldwide. Women have long been underrepresented in the media industry, often typecast or stereotyped, with narratives shaped by the “male gaze.” As chief content officer, Bajaria has been instrumental in diversifying the landscape, ensuring that voices from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives are given prominence.

Under her leadership, Netflix has championed international storytelling, with hits like Lupin from France, Money Heist from Spain, and Squid Game from South Korea proving that non-English content can dominate global pop culture. Bajaria’s focus on inclusivity is also evident in the rise of female-driven stories, from the feminist regency romance of Bridgerton to the brilliant but unconventional protagonist of The Queen’s Gambit. Her ability to balance commercial appeal with creative risk-taking has made Netflix a powerhouse for fresh, genre-defying narratives. Beyond just increasing representation on-screen, Bajaria’s impact extends behind the scenes — championing women and people of colour in key creative and executive roles. In an industry that has traditionally sidelined diverse voices, her influence is helping reshape the future of entertainment. In terms of being a woman in power, her role is akin to dictating which shows we as consumers, get to watch — shaping the cultural zeitgeist in the process.

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