Chicago has long been a city shaped by strong leadership, relentless ambition, and a deep commitment to community—and in 2025, women are driving that momentum forward like never before. From boardrooms to city hall, research labs to philanthropic circles, this year’s most powerful women are redefining what leadership looks like in the Windy City.
These 15 trailblazing women represent a diverse cross-section of industries, but they share a common thread: an unshakable vision for change and the courage to make it happen. Whether they’re pioneering innovation in tech, transforming public policy, championing equity, or inspiring the next generation, these leaders are setting new standards for impact and influence.
As we look ahead to the future of business, politics, science, media, and social justice in Chicago, these are the women to watch in 2025. Their stories remind us that true power isn’t just about position—it’s about purpose, progress, and making every move count.
1. Anne Caprara (Age 41) – Chief of Staff to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Anne Caprara is a trailblazing political strategist currently serving as Chief of Staff to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Her journey began with EMILY’s List, where she worked to elect pro-choice Democratic women. Early in her career, Caprara faced personal and professional challenges—like being stranded in rural Oklahoma after a campaign loss on her 25th birthday. That experience shaped her resilience and self-reliance, qualities that would define her career.
By age 30, Caprara had already been Chief of Staff for two members of Congress. She later managed Hillary Clinton’s record-breaking $190 million super PAC and helped unseat Republican Governor Bruce Rauner by nearly 16 points—all without being part of Illinois’ political establishment. Today, she leads Pritzker’s administration through major initiatives, including the state’s pandemic response, and is known for her candid, humorous presence on Twitter.
2. Claire Babineaux-Fontenot (Age 59) – CEO of Feeding America
At age 59, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot leads Feeding America, the largest hunger relief nonprofit in the United States. Since becoming CEO in 2018, she has scaled the organization to distribute over 5.2 billion meals annually. Under her leadership, Feeding America tackled historic food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to serve communities in all U.S. counties and parishes.
Previously a high-ranking executive at Walmart and the first Black woman to serve as Vice President of audits and tax policy there, Babineaux-Fontenot left the corporate world following a life-altering cancer diagnosis in 2015. Inspired by her upbringing in a family that fostered over 100 children, she now dedicates her life to serving others. She was named a Time100 Most Influential Person in 2020 and continues to be a powerful voice for social impact.
3. Dr. Louise Bernard (Age 48) – Director of the Obama Presidential Center Museum
At 48, Dr. Louise Bernard brings decades of cultural and academic expertise to her role as Director of the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago. A first-generation college graduate from a small village in England, Bernard’s journey led her to the University of Manchester and later to the U.S., where she made her mark at the New York Public Library and the Smithsonian Institution.
A key architect of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., Bernard now leads the vision and exhibition strategy for the Obama Center. Her goal: is to create a world-class presidential museum that educates, inspires, and uplifts communities for generations to come.
4. Tracy Brown (Age 53) – Chief Content Officer at Chicago Public Media
Tracy Brown, 53, is an award-winning journalist and Chief Content Officer at Chicago Public Media. With more than three decades in newsrooms, Brown leads editorial strategy across WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times. She began her career in the South, later taking on leadership roles at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Dallas Morning News.
A longtime advocate for diversity in journalism, Brown is also a mentor and role model for young journalists of color. As a single mother from a small rural town in Georgia, she worked tirelessly to create a balance between career and family. Her current role gives her the platform to highlight underrepresented voices and ensure impactful storytelling across Chicago’s media landscape.
5. Karen Sauder (Age 52) – Vice President of Sales and Chicago Site Lead at Google
Karen Sauder, 52, is Google’s highest-ranking executive in Chicago, overseeing a growing workforce of over 1,200 professionals. Under her leadership since 2018, Google has significantly expanded its presence in the West Loop, including acquiring 800,000 square feet of new office space.
Her leadership journey began in college, where she learned how to remain calm in uncertainty—a skill that continues to define her executive presence. Known for navigating ambiguity with confidence, Sauder plays a key role in Google’s Midwestern growth and innovation strategy.
6. Dr. Cecilia Conrad (Age 68) – CEO of Lever for Change; Senior Advisor at MacArthur Foundation
At age 68, Dr. Cecilia Conrad is an influential force in global philanthropy. As the CEO of Lever for Change, an affiliate of the MacArthur Foundation, Conrad leads one of the most impactful philanthropic grantmakers in the world. Since its inception in 2019, Lever for Change has distributed more than $1.5 billion in grants, with a new goal of matching that amount by 2025.
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Conrad experienced segregated schooling and later graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in economics. She earned her Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University, and spent 31 years in academia, advocating for accessibility in education while navigating race and gender biases as a Black woman in a male-dominated field.
Today, her philanthropic mission is to elevate bold, high-impact organizations, especially those historically overlooked. She serves on multiple prestigious boards, including Bryn Mawr College, the Poetry Foundation, and the African Center for Economic Transformation, making her a major voice in global development and social equity.
7. Maria Salterio Doughty (Age 56) – President & CEO of The Chicago Network
At 56, Maria Salterio Doughty is a powerful advocate for women’s leadership and gender equity as the President and CEO of The Chicago Network (TCN). The daughter of Italian immigrants, Doughty entered school barely speaking English—today, she leads a prestigious invitation-only network of over 500 of Chicagoland’s top women in business, government, academia, and the arts.
A former corporate litigation executive at Allstate Insurance with a J.D. from Emory University, Doughty transitioned into the nonprofit sector to amplify women’s voices across 11 industries. Although not a member of TCN herself before taking the role, her outsider status gave her a fresh perspective and a deep commitment to change.
Doughty also serves as Board President of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, co-leads the Illinois Task Force on Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities, and sits on the board of the Latino Policy Forum.
8. Nicole R. Robinson (Age 50) – CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
At age 50, Nicole R. Robinson leads the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, one of the city’s oldest and most impactful nonprofits dedicated to racial and gender equity. A lifelong Chicagoan, Robinson brings personal experience and business acumen to her role, shaped by her upbringing across neighborhoods like Roseland Heights, Englewood, and Bronzeville.
Before joining the YWCA in 2022, Robinson was Vice President at the Greater Chicago Food Depository and a community affairs executive at Mondelez International and Kraft Foods. As one of the co-creators of Chicago’s Food Equity Council, Robinson focuses on long-term, community-driven solutions for food insecurity and economic equity.
Calling herself a product of “the 4 Ps—public schools, public parks, public libraries, and public benefits,” she is committed to using the nonprofit sector as a platform to build opportunity, equity, and generational progress. She also sits on the board of Court Theatre and is a recognized civic leader by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
9. Christine A. Leahy (Age 60) – Board Chair, President & CEO of CDW
At 60, Christine A. Leahy is one of the few women leading a Fortune 500 company. As Board Chair, President & CEO of CDW, she oversees a global leader in IT services and solutions with over $24 billion in annual revenue. Since becoming CEO in 2019, Leahy has accelerated CDW’s growth and strengthened its position as a technology powerhouse.
Leahy began her career as CDW’s first General Counsel more than 20 years ago. She holds a J.D. from Boston College School of Law, a degree from Brown University, and executive education from Kellogg School of Management. She is also on the Boards of Target and Junior Achievement of Chicago and serves as a trustee for Children’s Home & Aid.
A champion of women in tech, Leahy founded CDW’s Women’s Opportunity Network, helping to elevate female colleagues into leadership. Her belief in mission-driven environments continues to inspire a new generation of tech professionals.
- Megan Ross, Ph.D. (Age: 52) – CEO, Lincoln Park Zoo
Megan Ross, Ph.D., is making history as the first female scientist CEO of the historic Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. With over 30 years of experience in animal behavior and zoo leadership, Ross began her career after discovering a passion for observing animals as an undergraduate at James Madison University. She joined Lincoln Park Zoo in 2000 as a bird curator and ascended to CEO after serving as Zoo Director for six years.
Ross’s leadership focuses on care, conservation, community, and culture, guided by data and science. She pioneered ZooMonitor, an animal welfare app used in over 400 institutions across 50+ countries, helping animals communicate preferences, such as food or habitat choices. Her innovative approach empowers animals while enhancing scientific understanding.
Ross also serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a member of the Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group with the International Union for Conservation. She continues to redefine what a zoo represents—shifting the focus to conservation, education, and immersive, science-driven experiences.
- Fran Spielman (Age: 66) – City Hall Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times
Veteran journalist Fran Spielman has been a relentless political watchdog in Chicago for decades. Currently, the Chicago Sun-Times’ City Hall reporter, Spielman started her career at a time when women were not even allowed in sports locker rooms. Undeterred, she paved her way from a producer at WIND radio—becoming the first woman to deliver a morning sports report—to a legendary political reporter.
Spielman has covered the city’s power players from the days of Richard M. Daley and is known for her tenacity and tough questioning. Her sharp reporting helped break major stories, such as exposing former Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson’s misconduct and revealing Alderman Danny Solis’s cooperation with the FBI.
Dubbed a “terrier on the politician’s pant leg,” Spielman has become one of Chicago’s most respected voices in political journalism, shaping the public narrative and holding leaders accountable.
- Jennifer Steans (Age: 60) – President & CEO, Financial Investments Corporation & Board Chair, Navy Pier
Jennifer Steans leads with purpose as President and CEO of Financial Investments Corporation and Board Chair of Navy Pier. After starting her career as a teacher, Steans earned an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and co-founded the private equity firm with her father. With over two decades in investment leadership, she balances business success with social impact.
Today, Steans dedicates half her time to nonprofit and civic work. She serves as a trustee for several institutions including the Steans Family Foundation, DePaul University, RUSH University Medical Center, and World Business Chicago. Her commitment to equity and inclusive opportunity is central to her philanthropic efforts.
As Board Chair of Navy Pier, Steans champions diversity by supporting Black and Brown-owned businesses and maintaining the Pier’s status as “The People’s Pier”—a free, welcoming space for all Chicagoans. Her visionary leadership reflects a deep-rooted mission to build a more equitable future.
- Lori Lightfoot (Age: 62) – Former Mayor of Chicago
Lori Lightfoot made history as Chicago’s first Black woman and openly LGBTQ mayor, serving from 2019 to 2023. Known for her direct style and reform-driven agenda, Lightfoot quickly established authority at City Hall—famously cutting off longtime Alderman Ed Burke during her first council meeting.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led with empathy and pragmatism, launching a $100 million Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund and suspending fines, ticketing, and water shutoffs to support residents. Her administration emphasized equity, lowering utility rates for low-income families and moving away from regressive revenue tactics.
Lightfoot’s tenure was defined by bold actions and transparency. From firing Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson for misconduct to pushing systemic change, she positioned herself as a mayor for all, with a focus on economic fairness and civic integrity.
- Kecia Steelman (Age: 54) – CEO, Ulta Beauty
As Chief Executive Officer(CEO) at Ulta Beauty, Kecia Steelman oversees a workforce of over 53,000 associates across more than 1,300 store locations. With over three decades of retail experience, Steelman began her career right out of high school, eventually earning her business degree while rising through leadership roles at Target, Home Depot, and Family Dollar.
Steelman joined Ulta in 2015 and has been instrumental in its rapid growth and expansion, including spearheading initiatives like Ulta Beauty at Target. Her leadership style emphasizes listening, employee empowerment, and operational excellence.
Now Chair-Elect for the Adler Planetarium Board of Trustees and on the Executive Committee of Metropolitan Family Services, Steelman is passionate about purpose-driven leadership. Her story is a testament to resilience, grit, and the value of staying true to one’s goals—regardless of traditional pathways.
- Penny Pritzker (Age: 65) – Entrepreneur, Philanthropist & Former U.S. Commerce Secretary
Penny Pritzker, a powerhouse entrepreneur and civic leader, is reshaping Chicago’s innovation economy. A former U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Obama, Pritzker is also a key figure in Illinois’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, having chaired the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund that launched with $23 million in donations.
Heir to the Hyatt Hotels legacy and founder of the investment firm PSP Partners, Pritzker has invested billions into scaling businesses and seeding innovation. Her tech initiative, P33, is working to transform Chicago into a global tech hub by fostering partnerships between corporations, startups, and academic institutions.
Beyond business, Pritzker is deeply involved in civic revitalization. Her leadership merges business acumen with a philanthropic vision focused on equity, innovation, and opportunity—making her one of the most influential women shaping the future of American cities.
Influential Women Shaping the Future of Chicago’s Leadership Landscape
From the heart of City Hall to the helm of multimillion-dollar enterprises, these 15 influential women are not only shaping Chicago’s present—they’re building its future. Each one stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership, proving that power comes in many forms: compassion, conviction, creativity, and the courage to lead with authenticity.
As 2025 unfolds, the influence of these women will continue to ripple through industries, neighborhoods, and communities, setting bold new standards for what’s possible. They’re not just leaders—they’re changemakers, and their impact will be felt far beyond the city limits. Keep your eyes on them—Chicago’s future is in powerful hands.
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