Companies that embrace diversity and innovation are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors. And often, it’s women leading that charge.
Across industries, women disruptors are rewriting the rules, introducing bold ideas, and challenging outdated systems with empathy, resilience, and strategy. From tech to mental health, energy to equity, these leaders are creating new standards for success.
As the world faces complex shifts in work, sustainability, and human connection, these ten remarkable women are at the forefront, proving that disruption is more than buzz — it’s about meaningful, measurable change.
Isabela Tatu
Isabela Tatu is a maritime disruptor and sustainability champion with over 27 years of experience across the global supply chain. As the founder of Clean Marine Shipping (CMS), she pioneers zero-emission technologies and circular economy solutions. Her work bridges technical innovation with social impact, from advocating gender equity through her blogs—LadyShip’s Round Table and Light and Shadow on Wings—to shaping inclusive leadership models. Inspired by UN Women’s CSW68, and alongside her brother, she is currently researching the evolution of matriarchal and patriarchal systems and their influence on modern leadership. A Top 25 Sustainability Champion and Women in Hydrogen 50 honoree, she also champions youth STEM education and equitable access. Isabela believes true innovation requires empathy, courage and cross-sector collaboration. Her mission: to transform the maritime industry—especially clean maritime—into a more transparent, inclusive and purpose-driven space.
Romaa Rajadhyaksha
omaa Rajadhyaksha is transforming the future of education through SWS Global Coaching (StudyyWell Solutionss), where life skills — including emotional intelligence, resilience, and effective communication — are placed at the core of learning. Her mission goes beyond academic results; she empowers the next generation to lead with confidence, communicate with purpose, and thrive in an ever-evolving world. From grassroots coaching to shaping global education dialogue, her influence spans classrooms to high-level policy conversations with international organisations. Named ‘Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Women Changing the World Global Awards 2025, Romaa is also co-authoring a global publication exploring how emotional intelligence and human-centred skills are becoming the true currency of success in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Through every venture, Romaa proves that education isn’t just about grades — it’s about equipping future leaders, changemakers, and trailblazers with the mindset, heart, and skills to lead with intent and compassion — and ultimately redefine what leadership truly means.
Sara Gene
Sara Gene “SG” Houtman is redefining what Human Resources looks like at startups—ditching outdated processes in favor of agile, people-first innovation. As a C-suite leader at Truly Free and Truly Free Home, SG has built a reputation for eliminating red tape, leading with action, and proving that non-traditional experience is often a superpower. In just five years, she rose from customer service to the executive level, launching impactful initiatives like the company’s Human Capital Management program and drastically improving customer retention with bold, creative thinking. A fearless leader, SG is now helping scale the newly launched TrulyFree.com marketplace while constantly making Truly Free the best place.
Michelle Faye
Michelle Faye is a fierce advocate, survivor, and founder of HerStory Revolution, a movement born from her fight against high-risk domestic violence and a broken system. Refusing to stay silent, Michelle transformed her personal battle into a mission to empower women and expose systemic failures in domestic violence support. Through her peer support model, she equips survivors to use their voices for cultural and policy change in workplaces, communities, and beyond. Michelle is also a Federal Candidate in the upcoming Australian election and the author of The Invisible Prison, launching in April 2025. With her new initiative, The Change Initiative, starting June 2025, she’s determined to push for lasting legislative reform. Her message is clear: be loud—never shrink.
Melissa Berton
Melissa Berton is an Oscar-winning educator and the powerhouse behind The Pad Project, a global nonprofit addressing menstrual equity through education, storytelling, and sustainable solutions. What began in her high school classroom led to the Academy Award–winning documentary Period. End of Sentence.—and a movement that now spans 12 countries. Under Melissa’s leadership, The Pad Project has distributed over 2 million menstrual products, launched employment-generating pad programs, and built an international youth ambassador network. In 2025, she and The Pad Project are focusing on strengthening their sustainable menstrual cup programs in India and East Africa, while expanding the impact of their menstrual health education training and workshops in Guatemala. Melissa defies traditional leadership models by co-creating with students and communities, proving that lasting change is born from collaboration, courage, and the conviction that youth can lead the way—not tomorrow—but today.
Parveen Smith
Parveen Smith, founder of Soul2Soul Wellbeing, is redefining mental and emotional health through her groundbreaking blueprint—a life-changing formula rooted in neuroscience, universal laws, and holistic practices. After overcoming profound personal health battles that left her bedridden and wheelchair-bound, Parveen transformed adversity into a global mission. Her Mind Mastery and AOT programs have empowered CEOs, leaders, and frontline professionals to achieve mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical resilience. Honored with ten international awards, including the Global Leader Award, Parveen’s approach addresses wellness at the cellular level—bridging science and soul. Through keynote speaking, corporate partnerships, and training initiatives, she is breaking stigmas and reshaping the way mental health is embraced, proving that true health is the ultimate wealth.
Christine Mastello
Christine Mastello, founder of Southlake’s Incorporated and the Community Hair Project, is redefining what real, human-centered charity looks like. Driven by her own survival story, Christine built a grassroots movement that serves Australia’s most vulnerable with dignity, compassion, and action, not bureaucracy. Her initiatives, including free haircuts, rural food pantries, and Indigenous training programs, create a lasting impact where larger systems fall short. In an industry often focused on numbers over people, Christine’s work stands out for its authenticity, flexibility, and heart. By listening first and responding with purpose, she’s changing lives across over 52 rural towns—and proving that true disruption starts with refusing to accept invisibility and leading fiercely with humanity.
Isabel Lugo
Isabel Lugo, known as “the stadium lady,” is simplifying technology for stadiums and venues worldwide by making innovation accessible, intuitive, and business-centered. With a diverse background spanning hospitality, logistics, real estate, and sports tech, she delivers high-impact digital solutions that solve real operational challenges and drive revenue growth. Isabel leads with heart and strategy—fostering trust, breaking down cultural and gender barriers, and building smarter, efficient systems through AI, automation, and authentic partnerships. Excellence in every solution is her hallmark, ensuring venues operate seamlessly while maximizing performance and profitability. From launching smart stadium projects to enhancing operational efficiency, Isabel’s human-centered approach blends technology with purpose. Her courage to lead differently and deep client focus make her one of the most exciting disruptors of 2025.
Tania Walker
Tania Walker is transforming Australia’s Licensed Post Office (LPO) industry with LPO Locum—a first-of-its-kind platform offering trusted staffing relief, simplified hiring, and support for a long-overlooked workforce. After personally navigating systemic challenges and institutional resistance, Tania turned resilience into innovation by streamlining a fragmented, word-of-mouth system into a professional, tech-enabled solution. From built-in reviews to public liability insurance and upcoming contractor education hubs, she’s creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for licensees and staff to thrive. Tania’s approach blends compassion with strategy, proving disruption doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful—it just has to make people’s lives better. In 2025, she’s expanding features that prioritize trust, community care, and smarter staffing for LPOs across the country.
Heleen Groenenberg
eleen Groenenberg, founder of Sustain Brain, is redefining the future of energy systems with a focus on smart, sustainable solutions. As an independent advisor, she guides governments and businesses through the complexities of grid congestion, energy sharing, and long-duration storage. Heleen’s talent for cutting through complexity and connecting the dots has earned her a reputation as a sharp, forward-thinking strategist. She champions local energy hubs, flexible consumption, and equity in access to sustainable power, especially for underserved communities. From EU-wide policy reviews to grassroots energy innovation, her work bridges the gap between big-picture thinking and on-the-ground action. Heleen believes true disruption isn’t about noise, but about persistence, collaboration, and reshaping systems to meet the urgent demands of a changing world.
