This year’s Ad Age Leading Women are helping their businesses, brands and agencies grow in a tough economic environment, embracing new technologies, tackling social and environmental concerns and reaching more diverse consumers in new and authentic ways.

For example, one of our honorees is positioning a major airline for the future with a big promotional push for its environmental efforts across social. Another is guiding a major health care brand that has become synonymous with its COVID vaccine to position itself beyond its pandemic focus. And another is leading the charge for more significant health equity at her agency.

These honorees range from those who have global roles to those focused on local issues. The challenges of these women also reflect the tumultuous world we live in; among them is an agency executive who is publicly championing for LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary, a country plagued by discrimination.

All of our Leading Women are also striving to empower future generations of leaders and improve diversity. One honoree is a brand executive amplifying voices of color in the beauty space. There is a marketing and communications leader who is working to combat ageism in the advertising industry and advocating for marketers to incorporate age into discussions of diversity, equity and inclusion. Another agency executive led an advocacy campaign so influential, it spurred the creation of a nonprofit organization: a worldwide registry of trans-affirming hair, beauty and wellness businesses, which became an official 501(c)(3) last year.

As well as representing inspiring brands and agencies, these women also have their own amazing personal stories. One of our honorees is a digital pioneer, who translated the internet into a business tool for companies in the mid-’90s as a consultant. Another grew up on a hobby farm in Surrey, England, and it was her responsibility to feed lambs whose mothers couldn't support them.

We honor the Ad Age Leading Women of 2023 and we hope this list will inspire other women in the industry to celebrate each other. Mark your calendar for Aug. 8, when we will host our Ad Age Leading Women Conference & Awards in New York.