Few notable organizations, once male-led, embrace diversity after a century.
As we navigate this era, we observe the once-mighty fortress of male dominance crumbling, yielding space to the ascent of formidable women who have seized pivotal roles, both in the intricate world of business and bureaucracy.
Let’s cast our spotlight on a select ensemble of admired organizations, with tales of innovation and prosperity, yet tinged with the ink of history, where male leadership cast a long shadow across decades.
For well over a century, these institutions thrived under the stewardship of men. The pendulum of change, once dormant, has now begun its swing. With a profound and audacious embrace of diversity and inclusivity, these companies have embraced the winds of transformation.
Mary Teresa Barra, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors
General Motors (GM) was founded in 1908 by William “Billy” Durant, who had started out as a manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles.
Mary Teresa Barra was appointed GM’s first female CEO in 2014 and the first woman to lead any major automaker.
Rania Llewellyn, President and Chief Executive Officer, Laurentian Bank of Canada
On May 26, 1846, the Montreal City and District Savings Bank, which would eventually become Laurentian Bank of Canada, was founded. Its inception was a collaborative effort, led by the visionary Monsignor Ignace Bourget, the second Bishop of Montreal. Joining him were a group of 15 influential Montreal residents, representing diverse linguistic and denominational backgrounds.
Fast forward to 2020, a significant chapter was written when Rania Llewellyn ascended to the role of CEO. Her appointment created history as she became the first woman to steer a major Canadian chartered bank.
Kathryn Thompson Farmer, Chief Executive Officer, BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway is the largest freight railroad in the United States, and its history dates back to 1849.
In the dawn of January 2021, a historic moment unfurled as Kathryn M. “Katie” Thompson Farmer assumed the mantle of Chief Executive at BNSF Railway, marking a monumental stride forward for the company and the industry.
Farmer joined Burlington Northern Railroad in 1992 as a management trainee. She spent her entire career at BNSF (Burlington Northern merged with Santa Fe in 1996 to become BNSF and became wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway in 2010), holding positions in operations, marketing and finance.
As President and Chief Executive Officer of BNSF Railway, Farmer leads the 35,000 team members who operate the freight rail network of 32,500 route miles in 28 states and three Canadian provinces.
Jill Tiefenthaler, Chief Executive Officer, National Geographic Society
National Geographic (formerly The National Geographic Magazine, sometimes branded as NAT GEO) is an American monthly magazine founded in 1888.
In 2020, the National Geographic Society appointed American academic and economist Jill Tiefenthaler as its first female CEO.
Jaya Verma Sinha, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson, Indian Railway Board
The history of Indian Railways dates to 1853, when the first train in India ran between Bori Bunder, Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane, a distance of about 34 km.
Last week, Jaya Verma Sinha was appointed as the first woman CEO and Chairperson of the railway board.
Her appointment marks a significant turning point in the 170-year history of the Indian Railways. An alumnus of Allahabad University, Jaya Verma Sinha began working with the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) in 1988 where she looked over the Eastern, South-East, and Northern Railways. She served as an Additional Member of the Traffic Transportation, Railway Board prior to being named Chairman and CEO.
