Top 20 Outstanding Women CEOs of 2024
The road ahead for women in leadership is filled with promise and potential. As we move forward, it is essential to continue breaking down barriers and challenging the status quo. Organizations must commit to fostering an inclusive culture where women can thrive. This involves not only addressing gender bias and promoting diversity but also ensuring that women have equal opportunities for advancement and leadership development.
The changing dynamics of women in leadership are a testament to the progress that has been made, but there is still much work to be done. By embracing inclusive leadership, leveraging technology, and fostering mentorship and support networks, we can pave the way for a future where women leaders are not the exception but the norm.
As we reflect on the achievements of women in leadership and look toward the future, it is clear that their contributions are indispensable. The journey may be challenging, but with resilience, determination, and collective effort, women leaders will continue to make significant strides, shaping a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
Cover Story
Darnell Lattal, Ph.D. | ABA Technologies, Inc.
Darnell Lattal, CEO and President of ABA Technologies, Inc., a female-owned online learning company, has a Ph.D. in psychology and specializes in the science of learning. With over 40 years of leadership experience, Darnell believes that a successful workplace culture lies in bringing Ben Franklin’s maxim to life: “Carve mistakes in sand and success in stone.” At ABA Technologies, Inc., errors are seen as valuable opportunities to learn—a behavioral approach to shaping positive outcomes. Dr. Lattal knows that increasing demand for what her company does is the tip of a worldwide tidal wave seeking to extend excellence in learning outside traditional classrooms and corporate training structures. Success at ABA Technologies, Inc. is defined by Dr. Lattal as embedded in the highly polished instructional design and application skills of an extraordinary workforce in producing repeat business and expanding market reach.
Akuyoe Graham | Spirit Awakening
Today, Akuyoe Graham, Founder & CEO of Spirit Awakening, received a very kind note from a colleague in which she said she would try to bring some of what she’d “absorbed” from Akuyoe’s model of womanhood, activism, and leadership that puts “we before me.” “I was humbled and moved by her statement as I had not been expecting a review of my character. Qualities that I try to emulate include compassion, generosity, forgiveness, authenticity, joy, beauty, integrity, dignity, strength and LOVE,” says Akuyoe.
Angela Phillips | Phillips Tube Group
With over three decades of experience in the precision welded steel tube industry, Angela Phillips, the CEO of Phillips Tube Group, has been a trailblazer in propelling the company to new heights. Her practical, forward-thinking approach has catapulted the company to the forefront in quality, service, and customer collaboration. Under her leadership, Phillips Tube Group has swiftly modernized its operations by introducing new technology and process advancements. Angela’s commitment to excellence among global manufacturers is unwavering, as she states, “Manufacturing is a critical part of the US economy. Our growth as a company is dependent on staying innovative and pressing for first in class processes to meet our market demand.”
Angeline Howell, LMHC | Great Explorations Children’s Museum
With her background in Mental Health and Family and Child Sciences, Angeline Howell has accelerated Great Explorations Children’s Museum into a place where all families can come to learn and play no matter their abilities or socioeconomic status. Her ability to listen to members, employees, and community partners allowed Great Explorations to identify the community needs and how the mission of Great Explorations aligns. The bottom line, Angeline and her team want to help.
Arlene Sarkoyan | S3H Inc.
Arlene Sarkoyan, CEO and Senior Executive, S3H Inc., is more than a leader. For her, employee satisfaction is paramount because she knows that they are the company’s backbone. From providing free daily lunches for office employees to arranging for companywide get-togethers for field supervision and personnel during Holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Labor Day, Arlene creates an environmentally friendly and sensitive workplace so that employees focus on being productive and therefore value their work attendance. She cares for people because she appreciates the hard work and dedication each employee puts into the company.While Arlene has enjoyed success and acceptance as a female leader in the male-dominated construction industry, although she owns 75% of the company stocks, she has not been accepted as a woman-owned enterprise. Despite the hurdles, S3H has succeeded and thrived as a significant woman-owned specialty contractor without being certified by an official agency.
Carolyn Shames | Shames Construction
As a woman CEO in a male-dominated industry for 40 years now, I have learned a myriad of lessons on how to be an effective leader. I have built my Shames Construction team from the ground up. I work with many men inside and outside of Shames Construction, and I give many of them eminence credit for my success, as they gave me many chances when a woman was a novelty in construction. I have a creative and analytical mind and have worked for years to quickly pivot my thoughts and plans for the company’s direction whenever the industry and world around us change. My background as an architect gives me a complete picture of the construction process from design through the implementation of design concepts.
