CNBC Crowns the 2026 Changemakers Trailblazing Women Reshaping Industries Worldwide

• The 2026 CNBC Changemakers list recognizes women who are transforming business and philanthropy across diverse sectors.
• Key trends include female leadership in AI innovation, advancements in healthcare access, and investments in women's sports.
• Despite progress, the representation of women in top leadership positions remains low, highlighting the importance of celebrating and supporting Changemakers.
• The list features leaders from startups to high-profile figures like Kim Kardashian and Selena Gomez, showcasing the diverse paths to success.

Gomu Gomu no Visionaries Setting Sail

Alright, check it out, I'm Monkey D. Luffy, future King of the Pirates and honorary journalist for the day. These CNBC folks dropped a list of awesome ladies called "Changemakers," and they're kinda like my crew, each with their own special powers. They're not finding One Piece treasure, but they're changing the world and making it a better place. Shishishi.

Gear Four: AI and Autonomous Awesomeness

These Changemakers are not messing around! They are diving head-first into this AI stuff. Mira Murati is like the Zoro of AI, pushing boundaries with her Thinking Machines Lab. Then there's Tekedra Mawakana at Waymo, expanding self-driving cars faster than I can eat a mountain of meat. Speaking of making things better, Felicia Curcuru is using AI to help kids in foster care. That's some Usopp-level dedication right there. And while we are at it, let's not forget about how important it is to ensure housing for everyone, and a deep dive into the challenges and solutions can be found in this Bay Area's Rolling Crisis RV Living Exposes Housing Affordability Failures article.

Meat, Medicine, and Making a Difference

It's not just robots and algorithms, these Changemakers are also saving lives. Johanna Mercier at Gilead Sciences is expanding access to HIV prevention, which is super important. Lupin CEO Vinita Gupta is bringing medicine manufacturing back home, and Lisa Anderson at Paragonix Technologies is making sure organs get to people who need them. They are all like my ship doctor Chopper, but instead of rumble balls, they're using science and business to heal the world.

Haki-Level Investments in Women's Sports

These Changemakers also know that girls are strong and deserve to be supported in sports. Sophie Goldschmidt (U.S. Ski & Snowboard), Susie Wolff (F1 Academy), Jayna Hefford & Amy Sheer (Professional Women's Hockey League), and Kara Nortman (Monarch Collective & Angel City) are investing in women's teams around the globe. These ladies are showing the world that women's sports is worth investing in and watching and that is just awesome. Just like Nami is good with her navigator skills, these ladies have incredible vision.

The Grand Line of Gender Equality

Even though these women are awesome, the numbers still stink a bit. They said only 11% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women, and the gender pay gap is still there. I may be the King of the Pirates one day, but equality is about everyone being treated fairly, no matter who they are. People need to keep fighting for change and keep making sure everyone has a chance. As they say, "When the world shoves you around, you just gotta stand up and shove back".

One Piece of Inspiration

These CNBC Changemakers are proof that anyone can achieve their dreams with hard work, grit, and a little bit of luck. They are inspirations for all those girls and women. Their accomplishments are like the 'One Piece', something to be sought after and achieved and is what keeps me motivated to keep going after my dream of becoming the King of Pirates. I hope these women keep inspiring others to do great things. Shishishi