Angela Merkel (Chancellor Germany)

According to Forbes, Angela Merkel is the Most Powerful Women in the world. She was the first female Chancellor of Germany since 2005.

Her constant assistance in the German crisis, including rebuilding trans-Atlantic ties and establishing a friendship with Israel, leading the European Union’s foreign policies agenda and promoting a more accommodating approach with Russia, has helped lift Germany out of its disaster.

Sheila C. Bair (Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp):

Sheila Colleen Bair served as the 19th Chairman for the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. George W. Bush appointed her in 2006 to the position for a five-year term. She was the one who played the most crucial role in 2008’s financial crisis management.

She was named the first female to be included in The Wall Street Journal’s 2008 50 “Women to Watch List.” Time magazine also listed her as one of the ‘most influential people in 2009.

Forbes ranked her as the Second Most Powerful Women on the planet in 2008 and 2009.

Indra K. Nooyi (Chairman, chief executive, PepsiCo)

Indra Krishnamurthy, an Indian-American business executive, is currently Chief Executive Officer at PepsiCo. She is widely considered to be one of the most influential women worldwide.

Forbes ranked her third among the most influential women.

Nooyi was responsible for the major expansion of PepsiCo into international markets. This is remarkably due to the $1.4 billion acquisition by 75% of Lebedyansky (Russia’s juice giant).

Cynthia Carroll (Chief executive, Anglo American)

Cynthia Carroll, a businesswoman from America, was appointed CEO of Anglo American PLC in the U.K., the largest producer of platinum worldwide. She was previously a director at Sara Lee and AngloGold Ashanti Limited before taking this role. She is also the first non-South African woman to lead Anglo Americans.

Forbes Magazine ranked her fifth among the most influential women in the world.