Black women trailblazers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) featured on the Forbes 50 Over 50 list of 2025

In the realm of leadership and achievement, Black women are making significant strides across various industries. The Forbes 50 Over 50 list of 2024 and 2025 honours these trailblazers, and we're delighted to shine a spotlight on a few of them.

Alicia Boler Davis: Pioneering in Automotive and Technology

Alicia Boler Davis, an engineer, made history as the first Black woman to serve as a plant manager at General Motors. Her impressive career continued as she rose to the position of executive vice president for global manufacturing. Later, she moved to Amazon, where she was a senior executive overseeing global fulfillment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, she is the president of Ford Pro, Ford's commercial fleet division.

Boler Davis also served as CEO of Alto, a digital pharmacy valued at over $1 billion [1]. Alto was recently acquired by Paulus Holdings in a deal that valued the pharmaceutical company between $1 billion - $1.5 billion.

Halle Berry: A Cultural Voice in Entertainment

Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry is celebrated on the 2025 list for her work as an entrepreneur, advocate, and cultural voice, especially in menopause awareness. She relaunched Respin Health, a telehealth startup focused on menopause-centric care and hormone therapy options [2].

Montgomery Rice: Pioneering in Healthcare

Montgomery Rice, a distinguished figure in healthcare, became the sixth president of Morehouse School of Medicine in July 2014, and she was the first female leader of the historically Black medical institution. Rice has a track record of leadership, having founded the Center for Women's Health Research at Meharry Medical College.

Yvonne Greenstreet: A Pioneer in Pharmaceuticals

Yvonne Greenstreet, with a 30-year career as an OB-GYN in London, has earned FDA approval for six medicines during her career. She spent 18 years at GlaxoSmithKline, rising to Senior Vice President and Chief of Strategy for Research and Development. From 2011 to 2013, Greenstreet led Medicines Development at Pfizer as Senior Vice President, serving on the executive team of a $16 billion division. Currently, she is the CEO and Director of Alnylam, a position she took in 2021 after joining the company as COO in 2016 and becoming President and COO in 2020. Greenstreet is advancing 25 medicines for various conditions such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, hypertension, and Huntington's disease.

Robin Washington: A Leader in Technology

Robin Washington, with 25 years of experience, has held roles at companies like Gilead Sciences, Hyperion Solutions, and PeopleSoft. Currently, she is the President and Chief Operating Officer at Salesforce, where she oversees key areas including business strategy, global finance, employee success, and marketing. Washington has been on Salesforce's board since 2013 and also serves on the board of directors of Alphabet.

These women represent leadership and impact across industries from automotive and technology to healthcare and entertainment, highlighting the diversity and achievement of Black women over 50 recognized by Forbes [1][2].

[1] Forbes: Forbes 50 Over 50 2024 List: Meet Some of the Black Women Listed

[2] Respin Health: Respin Health

Image Credit: Main image for this article is of Yvonne Greenstreet.

Black women in leadership continue to forge new paths in the automotive industry, with Alicia Boler Davis making history at General Motors, Amazon, and Ford Pro.
Boler Davis' accomplishments extend beyond the automotive sector, as she served as CEO of a digital pharmacy valued at over $1 billion.
Halle Berry, an Oscar-winning actress, is commended for her work as an entrepreneur, advocate, and cultural voice, focusing on menopause awareness.
Montgomery Rice is a trailblazer in healthcare, becoming the first female president of Morehouse School of Medicine and founding the Center for Women's Health Research at Meharry Medical College.
Yvonne Greenstreet, with FDA-approved medicines to her credit, leads Alnylam, a company advancing 25 medicines for various conditions like Alzheimer's, diabetes, and Huntington's disease.
Robin Washington, with a impressive career in technology, holds key positions at Salesforce and Alphabet, overseeing business strategy, finance, marketing, and more.
The diversity and achievement of Black women over 50 is highlighted by the Forbes 50 Over 50 list, showcasing their impact in fields such as technology, healthcare, entertainment, and more.
Entrepreneurship and venture capital opportunities continue to be essential for the growth and success of startups like Alto and Respin Health.
The science and health-and-wellness industries benefit from the innovative approach of Black women leaders, who focus on mental health, womens' health, and telehealth startups.
Finance and business acumen play vital roles in the success of Black women entrepreneurs, from managing investments to navigating complex business dynamics.
The role of Black women in entrepreneurship expands beyond traditional industries, influencing lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden sectors.
Personal growth, learning, and self-development are bolstered by the achievements of Black women pioneers, paving the way for future generations to thrive in various industries.
The fields of education and sports also witness the influence of these trailblazers, with their contributions to sports-betting, sports-analysis, and global cuisines.
Real-estate and sustainable living are areas where Black women are impacting communities and contributing to environmentally-friendly practices, promoting a better world for future generations.
Relationships and family dynamics are positively affected as these Black women role models show that age is just a number, empowering others to reach new heights in their businesses, careers, and personal lives.