CNBC is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Changemakers list. Learn more and submit a nomination by Nov 21.
CNBC is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Changemakers list that features women transforming business and philanthropy, who have accomplished a meaningful achievement in 2025. With a community of 100 women who we’ve named to our 2024 and 2025 lists thriving and innovating across industries, it’s more important than ever to highlight the women defying odds. Just like the women on our first two Changemakers lists, for this upcoming list we’re looking for women who are taking novel approaches to old business problems and identifying new business opportunities.
Our Changemakers community has continued to reach new milestones, with a number of notable moves this year. Instacart CEO Fidji Simo was hired by OpenAI as head of applications. Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart’s basketball league, Unrivaled, drew new investors, including Serena Williams’ firm Serena Ventures, at a valuation of $340 million. Paris Hilton, after launching a new skincare line, Paravie, in August debuted as the star of Karl Lagerfeld’s new campaign.
Angela Hwang is continuing her role innovating in biotech as CEO-Partner of Flagship Pioneering and CEO of Metaphore, after leaving her role at Pfizer, where she helped bring 600 medicines and vaccines to patients. Sima Sistani, formerly the CEO of WeightWatchers, is now an adjunct professor at Duke. And former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is now a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, amid reports that she’s considering a presidential run.
