In an ever-evolving landscape, businesses emerge, but only a select few leave an indelible mark on the world. The cornerstone of such impactful enterprises often lies in their leadership. A visionary at the helm is a magnet for investors, consumers, and employees alike. As we stride into the new year, aspiring to flourish and excel, drawing inspiration from these transformative business leaders reshaping our world is paramount. 

1. Radhika Gupta

She is an Indian business leader serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Edelweiss Asset Management Limited. Initially joining Edelweiss Global Asset Management as the business head of multi-strategy funds, Gupta played a pivotal role in directing the team's investment strategies, distribution, and platform development. Notably, she holds the distinction of being India’s sole female head of a prominent asset management firm and is credited with establishing the nation's inaugural domestic hedge fund. She is recognised by the moniker "the girl with the broken neck."

2. Jan Koum 

Koum departed from his home country of Ukraine at 16 and settled in the United States, where he has resided ever since. Discovering his knack for programming, he pursued studies at San José State University. During his time as a student at SJSU and a security tester at Yahoo in 2010, he established WhatsApp. The messaging app soared in popularity, amassing over a billion global users. In 2014, Koum sold WhatsApp to Facebook for a staggering $19.3 billion.

3. Reshma Saujani

Born on November 18, 1975, she is a multifaceted American figure known as a lawyer, politician, civil servant, and the visionary behind "Girls Who Code," a nonprofit organisation dedicated to bolstering female participation in computer science and bridging the gender gap within that industry. Her career in city governance encompassed a role as the deputy public advocate at the New York City Public Advocate's office. A trailblazer in her own right, Saujani ventured into politics, contesting as a Democratic candidate for Public Advocate in 2013, where she secured the third position in the primary. Her remarkable initiative, Girls Who Code, founded in 2012, earned her a place in Fortune’s prestigious 40 Under 40 list.

4. Dara Khosrowshahi

The CEO, who was brought in to steer Uber after a series of scandals ousted the previous leader, Travis Kalanick, is hailed for his diplomatic yet decisive approach. At Expedia, he achieved full gender parity in the workforce and, upon joining Uber, initiated a shift in company culture by emphasising diversity and ideas over hierarchy. Under his leadership, Uber aimed to increase female representation and took swift action, dismissing over 20 employees due to sexual harassment complaints while diversifying its services beyond ride-hailing.

5. Eric S. Yuan

The CEO of Zoom Video Communications, was hailed as the top CEO to work for in the US according to Glassdoor's 2018 ranking. Yuan founded Zoom, a company that specialises in cloud-based video conferencing solutions, after experiencing dissatisfaction with existing conferencing tools during his tenure at WebEx. Determined to create a more reliable and efficient system, Yuan set out to develop what would become Zoom. Today, the company boasts over 1,000 employees and a valuation of $1 billion. For Yuan, success isn't merely about wealth or fame; he values happiness and passion in one's work. He emphasises that successful companies prioritize customer focus and adaptability to navigate ongoing changes.

6. Sam Altman

His journey began at 19 when he delved into entrepreneurship in 2005. By 2014, he helmed Y Combinator, channelling investments into 1,400 startups including Reddit, Airbnb, and Dropbox. Alongside Elon Musk, he co-founded OpenAI. Altman stresses the significance of seeking diverse experiences and learning from them. 

7. Danae Ringelmann

She co-founded Indiegogo in 2008 to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and funding. Alongside Eric Schell and Slava Rubin, she aimed to offer a platform for legal projects to secure financial support. Despite initial challenges, the platform flourished, hosting over 300,000 campaigns across 223 countries. Ringelmann attributes Indiegogo's success to a clear mission that attracts purpose-driven individuals and emphasises the value of a diverse team for innovative problem-solving.

8. Kevin Johnson

In 2018, Starbucks' CEO navigated a critical moment when racial profiling occurred at a Philadelphia store. Johnson promptly responded, issuing a personal apology and taking accountability. He went further, meeting the affected individuals and closing all 8,000 Starbucks stores for a day to train 175,000 employees on anti-bias measures, demonstrating his commitment to an inclusive environment for customers.

9. Brian Armstrong

Coinbase's CEO transitioned from considering himself late to the internet revolution to embracing the potential of Bitcoin after encountering it in a 2009 paper. Leaving his role at Airbnb in 2012, he founded Coinbase, aiming to streamline cryptocurrency transactions. With 25 million customer accounts, Coinbase competes impressively in the financial sector. Armstrong fosters a collaborative leadership style, encouraging open dialogue among employees to fuel innovation and growth.

10. Huateng "Pony" Ma

Huateng is a Chinese tycoon, engineer, tech pioneer, and philanthropist. He holds the positions of chairman, founder, and CEO at Tencent, Asia's most prized firm, and a major global player in the tech and internet industry. With a net worth of approximately $42.2 billion as of 2020, Ma Huateng stands among the world's wealthiest business magnates, securing a prominent position without question.

Stay tuned to People Matters for stories that offer valuable insights and lessons, paving the way for reflections, introspection, and the anticipation of what 2024 might hold!