2025 is shaping up to be a year full of bold ideas, fresh voices, and inspiring change, and at the heart of it all are women who are leading the way. From entrepreneurs and creatives to educators and innovators, these women are not just making headlines; they are making a real difference. They are building businesses, breaking barriers, lifting up their communities, and paving the way for others to follow.

This feature shines a spotlight on 10 incredible women you will want to keep an eye on this year. Whether they are launching something new or expanding their impact, one thing is for sure: they are just getting started.

Gio Willis , born in Mexico City, comes from a lineage deeply rooted in strength, culture, and discipline. Her great-grandfather served as the commissioner of Box & Lucha, while her grandfather, nicknamed “El Tigre Hispano”, was a prominent literary voice who fled Spain during the Civil War. With a father who was a dedicated bodybuilder and athlete, Gio’s upbringing naturally fostered a passion for fitness, health, and high achievement.

She has been an athlete throughout her life, participating in football and several bodybuilding contests. Additionally, her background includes practicing various contact sports such as wrestling and MMA, influenced by her family’s involvement in athletics. This broad athletic background has fostered important connections and deepened her understanding of the media industry. Off the field, Gio serves as Media Head of Agua Plus, where her strategic vision has propelled the brand into the spotlight through engaging content, partnerships, and public-facing campaigns.

As the wife of Chad Willis, founder and CEO of Plus Brand Inc., Gio blends personal passion with professional purpose. Together, they are improving hydration by promoting water as both essential and exciting through sustainable, tech-forward innovations.

Driven by heritage, guided by wellness, and fueled by purpose, Gio Willis continues to inspire as a woman who brings energy, excellence, and authenticity to everything she does.

Dr. Angela Zeng is the Founder and CEO of Karviva, a wellness brand inspired by her deep family roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine and her Ph.D. in pathology from St. Louis University. Her journey into entrepreneurship was sparked by a desire to bridge the gap between ancient healing traditions and modern wellness practices. Angela launched Karviva to deliver organic, non-GMO juices rich in antioxidants, prebiotic fiber, and clean plant-based nutrition. Her commitment to sustainability and community wellness has earned her recognition from the Women’s Business Development Center, the St. Louis Business Journal, and was the subject of a 2021 Mid-America Emmy Award-winning feature produced by the Higher Education Channel. In 2025, she was named a St. Louis Titan 100. Angela continues to lead Karviva with a vision to reconnect people with nature as the root of good health and to make holistic wellness accessible around the globe.

Nocci Yamashita is an entrepreneur and the founder of NOCCI. Through a combination of specialized techniques and personal development strategies, she has helped thousands of individuals worldwide unlock their potential and achieve success beyond conventional methods. Recognized as a respected expert in the field, Nocci bridges ancient wisdom with modern transformation through her workshops, international keynotes, and noteworthy coaching programs.

Her signature method, which integrates advanced personal development techniques, has facilitated significant changes in clients, ranging from emotional healing to improved clarity and success in both business and life. As a former corporate professional turned personal development mentor, Nocci redefines success as achieving a balanced and authentic approach to prosperity and personal empowerment.

In 2025, she will have not only graced international magazine covers but also led initiatives to incorporate innovative educational practices aimed at empowering the next generation. Nocci’s mission is to promote personal development, raise awareness on a global scale, and foster a world where individuals’ potential and self-empowerment are central. Her journey proves that when you develop enhanced intuition, you gain the ability to shape new opportunities and lead in meaningful ways.

Madhuri Murlikrishnan is the founder of Flute Theory and an award-winning artist, filmmaker, singer-songwriter, and Amazon bestselling author of The Prize and Price of Getting Uncomfortable . Her work blends creativity, compassion, and purpose, driven by a belief in storytelling’s power to heal, inspire, and create change.

Through Flute Theory, she channels art into impact, supporting over 15 nonprofits through music, dance, and visual storytelling. With 10+ original songs and 14 self-produced music videos, her work has been featured in 25+ international film festivals, earning 7.5M+ YouTube views and 1M+ Spotify streams. Her mission: to empower the underprivileged—one song, one dance at a time.

Madhuri’s creative journey includes 50+ live performances and three concerts, with features in the NYC Journal , Passion Vista , Times of India , and 92.3 Radio Bolly FM. Her storytelling centers on transformation, resilience, and self-discovery, forging a deep emotional bond with her audience.

Beyond the arts, Madhuri is a respected tech leader in Silicon Valley, known for scaling impactful products and leading high-performing teams. She brings the same intentionality to technology as she does to art, proving that when purpose drives creativity, stories can move hearts and spark change.

Zohor El Amrani is a renowned clinical hypnotherapist, TEDx speaker, and founder of the ELAM Center for Integrative Therapies. With over 15 years of experience, she empowers individuals to transform their lives by harnessing the power of the subconscious mind. Her signature method, RESET, is a framework designed to catalyze deep, lasting change.

The RESET Method is a 5-step self-transformation method that helps individuals realize the unconscious patterns shaping their lives, followed by embracing the emotions they’ve long avoided. They are then guided to sever ties with limiting beliefs, toxic dynamics, and outdated narratives. This paves the way to embody a new identity anchored in aligned thoughts, habits, and actions. The final step, thrive, empowers individuals to step fully into the life they are meant to lead.

Bilingual and results-driven, the RESET Method blends neuroscience, therapeutic hypnosis, and personal development into a practical path to inner freedom. Zohor’s approach is both heart-centered and science-based, helping clients break through internal blocks and reclaim their power.

She is currently developing a RESET workbook, conferences, and programs to bring this journey to a wider audience.

Transforming a simple idea into a thriving nonprofit, Jacquie Robison , founder of WAWOS (We’re All Working On Something), is disrupting the disability narrative in kids and teens, advocating access to adventure for all abilities, and promoting inclusion.

Her daughter, who has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, was prescribed a walker when she was 3 years old. She commented that people were staring but not saying hi. Jacquie challenged herself to find a way to both motivate her girl and encourage others to look beyond the device and see the person.

The result? A home-sewn walker cape with a leotard and tutu attached. The response from her daughter was electric, and people began to comment on the fun design and ask about her interest in ballet. Jacquie believed it could make a difference for others and launched WAWOS. Now, 5000+ free walker capes have been given away, which spark conversation, connection, and community.

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, with a sister organization, WAWOS Canada, based in Toronto.

Stefanie Trenholme is a speech therapist who’s all about helping kids find their voice, sometimes with a little help from her best friend, a lovable French bulldog named Lola. Based in Los Angeles, Stefanie runs her own practice, Trenholme Speech Therapy, where she works with children and families to build strong communication skills in fun, creative ways.

What makes her sessions extra special? Lola! As a certified therapy dog, Little Lola Frenchie brings comfort, confidence, and a whole lot of smiles to kids during their sessions. Stefanie was so inspired by Lola’s impact that she started writing children’s books starring her furry sidekick. Her first book, Little Lola Frenchie Loves Bathtime , introduced young readers to Lola’s bubbly world. Her second book, Little Lola Frenchie Bakes a Cake , was just released and is already delighting families. Stefanie is also developing a companion activity workbook, Look Who’s Listening with Little Lola Frenchie , designed to help kids grow their language skills at home.

Through her websites and social media, Stefanie shares free resources, adorable Lola merch, and heartwarming stories about the power of therapy and the magic of animal connection. Above all, she’s passionate about making a difference in children’s lives, inside the therapy room and far beyond it.

Meet Dr. Manuela Jimenez , Ed.D., a dedicated educational leader committed to transforming learning for all. As a certified school principal, teacher, author, and mentor, she champions equitable education, believing that every child deserves a quality learning experience.

A highlight of her journey was being crowned Dr. World Latina in 2025, where she advocated for gender equality in leadership, celebrated during her runway debut at New York Fashion Week alongside Miss Universe 2024.

Dr. Jimenez received the Young Athena Professional Award in 2024 for her dedication to empowering women. Outside her professional achievements, Dr. Jimenez embraces adventures with her family, believing that learning knows no bounds, and every journey is an opportunity for growth.

For over a decade as a dermatologist, Dr. Baron has combined experience, skill, and innovation to create skin solutions for her patients. Her professional-grade products can work alone and as part of well-balanced regimens to deliver sustainable results. Jennifer Baron , M.D., skincare started with requests from over 9,000 patients seeking authentic, natural solutions to their skin concerns. Her patients include people of all races, ages, and genders, and with a full range of sensitivities and skin conditions. Dr. Baron took her expertise from San Jose, California, to Seoul, Korea, to craft and test her products, ensuring that every ingredient counts. Her targets of treatment include sun-damaged, aging skin, rosacea, and acne-prone complexions, dry, sensitive skin, hyperpigmentation, and laxity. She works with her chemists and manufacturers to bring the finest quality skin care to her customers all over the world. She brings science, elegance, and power to the art of skin care.

Kazakhstan-born and classically trained, Julie King is bringing a fresh perspective to modern music with her cinematic, soul-stirring sound. A singer-songwriter, music producer, and creator of the genre “popra”—her fusion of operatic vocals and pop—Julie brings emotional storytelling to a new generation of global listeners.

Now residing in Bend, Oregon, her upcoming single “Woman In The Mirror” is already making waves as an Honorable Mention in the Performance Category of the 2024 International Songwriting Competition. Co-produced with Grammy-winning pianist Ruslan Sirota, the track is an anthem of transformation, self-worth, and feminine power.

Julie first hit the spotlight with her Billboard No. 5 single “Don’t Take Your Love Away,” followed by “Forgiveness,” co-written with Walter Afanasieff, selected for Grammy consideration in 2012.

With a voice that heals and a sound that empowers, Julie King is more than an artist—she is a dynamic force in her field.

These ten women are more than just leaders. They are change-makers, role models, and proof that passion, purpose, and persistence can create powerful results. As 2025 carries on, it will be exciting to watch how their journeys unfold and how they continue to inspire others along the way. Here’s to women who lead with heart, hustle, and vision. The future is brighter because of them.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.