Forbes magazine recently unveiled its new edition of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Colombia, a selection that recognizes outstanding leaders in sectors such as politics, business, science, culture, sports, education, and technology. Unlike other rankings, the publication does not establish hierarchical positions among the selected women, but instead presents all of them with the same level of relevance and impact within the country.
The initiative aims to highlight the role Colombian women have assumed in spaces historically dominated by men and to demonstrate how their leadership has transformed different aspects of public and private life. The methodology used by Forbes considered criteria related to economic power, political and social influence, transformative capacity, and reach within their respective industries.
Among the most recognized figures are Vice President Francia Marquez, singer Shakira, urban music star Karol G, and aerospace engineer Diana Trujillo, all of whom represent some of Colombia’s most internationally recognized leaders.
The list also reflects the country’s regional and professional diversity, including governors, businesswomen, university presidents, scientists, athletes, and executives from major national and international companies.
Five women who stand out on Forbes’ list of Colombia’s 100 Most Powerful Women
One of the most visible figures on the list is Francia Marquez, Colombia’s Vice President and Minister of Equality, recognized for her career as an environmental activist and defender of Afro-Colombian communities. Her inclusion on the list reaffirms her influence within Colombia’s political and social landscape.
In the cultural sphere, Shakira stands out as one of the most influential Latin American artists in the world. Beyond her music career, Forbes highlighted her philanthropic work through educational and social projects led by her foundation.
Another selected figure is Karol G, who continues to establish herself as one of the leading global urban music artists. The Medellín-born singer has broken records on digital platforms and become one of the most important female figures in reggaeton and Latin pop.
In the scientific field, Diana Trujillo was recognized for her work as a Colombian NASA engineer who has participated in major space missions, including projects related to lunar exploration. Her career has become an international symbol of Latin American talent in science.
Fashion and entrepreneurship are also represented by Silvia Tcherassi, the Barranquilla-born designer who successfully positioned her brand on major international runways and luxury markets. Forbes highlighted her ability to turn Colombian fashion into a global reference.
Politics, business, and sports among the most represented sectors
The 2026 edition included names from multiple strategic sectors across the country. In politics, leaders such as Dilian Francisca Toro, Governor of Valle del Cauca, and Johana Aranda Rivera, Mayor of Ibague, were featured.
In the business world, executives such as Angela Hurtado, Natalia Gutierrez, and Susana Pelaez were recognized for leading key companies and institutions within Colombia’s economy.
Sports also had strong representation thanks to figures like Linda Caicedo and Mayra Ramirez, both internationally recognized stars of Colombian women’s soccer.
The publication also emphasized the importance of making female leadership visible in STEM, education, and healthcare, where women such as Liliana Villarreal, Camila Escobar, and Marcela Granados have promoted projects with national impact.
Complete list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Colombia
- Silvia Tcherassi, designer and entrepreneur
- Susana Pelaez, manager of Cusezar
- Natalia Gutierrez, president of the National Business Council and Acolgen
- Samira Fadul, vice president of Bavaria
- Angela Hurtado, president of JP Morgan Colombia
- Camila Escobar, director of Colfuturo
- Natali Leal, general manager of Opain
- Luz Adriana Camargo, Attorney General of Colombia
- Angela Lopez, president of Mazda Colombia
- Francia Marquez, Vice President of Colombia
- Shakira, singer
- Karol G, singer
- Sofia Vergara, actress
- Beatriz Davila de Santo Domingo, philanthropist and entrepreneur
- Maria Lorena Gutierrez, CEO of Grupo Aval
- Linda Char, member of Olímpica’s board of directors
- Claudia Bejarano, president of Cerrejón
- Ana Fernanda Maiguashca, president of the Private Competitiveness Council
- Marcela Meléndez, director of Fedesarrollo
- Natasha Avendaño, manager of Bogotá’s Aqueduct Company
- Iris Marin Ortiz, Ombudswoman of Colombia
- Dilian Francisca Toro, governor of Valle del Cauca
- Elvia Milena Sanjuan Davila, governor of Cesar
- Nubia Carolina Córdoba, governor of Chocó
- Rafaela Cortes, governor of Meta
- Maritza Perez, vice president of Personal Banking at Davivienda
- Melissa Orrego, House Representative for Centro Democratico
- Maria Fernanda Carrascal, House Representative for Pacto Historico
- Carmen Abondano, chairwoman of Grupo Daabon’s board of directors
- Marcela Perilla, head of SAP’s corporate segment for Latin America
- Luz María Correa, chairwoman of Construcciones El Cóndor
- Angela María Orozco, senior vice president of Avianca
- Ana Milena Lopez, president of Corficolombiana
- Martha Isabel Woodcock, executive president of Banco Santander
- Marcela Torres, general manager of Nu Colombia
- Camila Osorio, tennis player
- Lucy Ines Garcia, governor of Sucre
- Adriana Magali Matiz, governor of Tolima
- Erika Zarante, CEO of Latam Airlines Colombia
- Elizabeth Rey, president of Citi Colombia
- Marcela Velasquez, general director of Tetra Pak Andina
- Adriana Casadiego, director of Hyundai Colombia
- Liliana Restrepo, co-founder of Frisby
- Gygliola Aycardi, co-founder of Grupo Bodytech
- Luz Angela Castro, general director of Ocesa Colombia
- Maria Mercedes Montejo, executive director of Sony for the Andean Region
- Sophie Douer, manager of Grupo Pat Primo and co-founder of Seven & Seven
- Diana Marcela Morales, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
- Karen Brazdys, president of Brinsa
- Catalina Ricaurte, general manager of Merck for Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
- Maria Fernanda Suarez, president of Banco Popular
- Bibiana Taboada, co-director of the Central Bank of Colombia
- Olga Lucia Acosta, co-director of the Central Bank of Colombia
- Laura Moisa, co-director of the Central Bank of Colombia
- Claudia Margarita Zuleta, senator
- Leonor Espinosa, chef
- Johanna Ortiz, designer
- Johana Bahamon, president of Fundación Accion Interna
- Natalia Bayona, executive director of UN Tourism
- Diana Trujillo, NASA flight director
- Lyana Latorre, director of the Rockefeller Foundation in Latin America
- Nina Garcia, editor-in-chief of Elle magazine
- Beatriz Fernandez, co-founder of Crepes & Waffles
- Marcela Granados, director of Fundación Valle del Lili
- Carolina Espitia, general manager of Alpina
- Sandra Véeez, president of Grupo Ethuss
- Maria Victoria Davila de Murgas, president of Oleoflores
- Karen Scarpetta, country manager of Tesla Colombia
- Ana Margarita Albir, president of ADL
- Liliana Villarreal, landing director for NASA’s Artemis II mission
- Andrea Guerrero, president of Win Sports
- Claudia Elena Vásquez, general manager of Universo Vives
- Sandra Hinestroza, general director of HP Colombia
- Raquel Bernal, rector of Universidad de los Andes
- Claudia Restrepo, rector of EAFIT
- Emilia Restrepo, rector of CESA
- Johana Aranda Rivera, mayor of Ibagué
- Nadia Blel, senator
- Carolina Corcho, senator
- Adriana Noreña, vice president of Google Hispanic America
- Juanita Goebertus, director of HRW’s Americas Division
- Maria Claudia Lacouture, president of Aliadas and director of AmCham
- Ilia Calderon, Univisión News anchor
- Vicky Perea, director of El País newspaper
- Erika Fontalvo, director of El Heraldo newspaper
- Luz Maria Sierra, director of El Colombiano newspaper
- Juanita Leon, director and co-founder of La Silla Vacia
- Juana Francisca Llano, president of Suramericana
- Adriana Cárdenas, Visa manager
- Angela Mendoza, Uber manager for Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador
- Ivonne Orozco, CEO of Keralty Colombia
- Linda Caicedo, football player
- Mayra Ramirez, football player
- Maria Carolina Hoyos, Solidaridad por Colombia Foundation
- Laura Milena Roa, president of the National Savings Fund
- Giovanna Romero, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Aris Mining
- Chechy Murillo, Cafam Woman 2026
- Patricia Castañeda, film director
- Elizabeth Moreno, coordinator of the Interethnic Solidarity Forum of Chocó
- Eliana Bejarano, co-founder of BeAmaZ sacha inchi