Getting into an established executive suit or boardroom is a difficult proposition. The task is even more challenging for women who are vying for positions that have been traditionally held by men. The lack of women in these prominent positions has become glaring, yet we are on the road to change. They are attaining executive roles, including CEO, of major corporations and there are more women owned businesses than ever before. Women are not only gaining ground in leadership, they are also using their platform to iterate and innovate for the future.

It’s no secret that the pandemic complicated the operations of many industries and multiple companies were turned upside down. Leaders were put in an unprecedented situation and there were many prominent women executives who steered their companies through difficult times to find a way to prosper. We have already chronicled how Frances Allen saved Checkers, yet she is only one of many who brought their company back from the brink. Christine Barone, President of Dutch Bros Coffee, leveraged her company’s simple menu structure to thrive during the pandemic and she has even pushed expansion in recent years. Her leadership has allowed Dutch Bros to carve out a niche against larger than life competitor Starbucks. Speaking of Starbucks, EVP & Chief Finance Officer Rachel Ruggeri pioneered the Starbucks Value Card and has helped the coffee company maintain its position as one of the world’s most iconic and profitable restaurants. Nada Aried, Executive VP and Chief Information Officer at Bath and Body Works, secured her company’s supply chain when it was at its most volatile and she developed a new employee workflow system that reduced employee turn over during the labor shortage.

Women leaders have guided their companies through the hardship of the pandemic and they have also pushed new technology forward. Tressie Lieberman, VP of Digital Marketing at Chipotle, pioneered the company’s mobile application and has set an industry standard that giants like Burger King and Taco Bell are still trying to emulate. Julie Elmore, VP and Chief Technology Officer at Dollar General, accelerated the rollout of DG Pickup that allows customers to use digital methods to purchase and pick-up their items. She also spearheaded the DG app that allows customers to scan items as they shop and keep track of their purchases. Our Trailblazers series has also chronicled other technological advancements like the use of A.I. at drive-thru windows and automated food prep that has been pushed forward by women leaders. These technological advancements are the future of every industry and the women we have spoken about have put their companies on the cutting edge.

Companies making an effort to diversify their executive positions has been good for everyone and it has also paid dividends for those that uphold women as a keystone of success. The women we have covered so far are just a fraction of the influential leaders that are putting their ideas into action and changing the course of entire industries and we applaud every one this Women’s History Month.