25 Empowering Quotes from Inspirational Female CEOs

Welcome to another inspiring post where we celebrate the wisdom and insights of some of the world's most influential leaders. This time, we're focusing on women who have shattered the glass ceiling and made their mark in the business world.

We're talking about Female CEOs, trailblazers who have not only climbed corporate ladders but have also led their organizations. From tech giants to consumer goods, these women have redefined leadership and success in their unique ways.

In this post, we will share with you 25 empowering quotes from female CEOs that offer a window into their minds, their leadership styles, and their philosophies. Let these words inspire you, motivate you, and carry you on in your journey, wherever you are and whatever you aspire to be.


1. Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors: "Do every job you're in like you're going to do it for the rest of your life, and demonstrate that ownership of it."

2. Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM: "Growth and comfort do not coexist."

3. Marillyn Hewson, former CEO of Lockheed Martin: "Strive not just for success, but rather to be of value."

4. Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube: "Rarely are opportunities presented to you in a perfect way. In a nice little box with a yellow bow on top. 'Here, open it, it's perfect. You'll love it.' Opportunities – the good ones – are messy, confusing and hard to recognize. They're risky. They challenge you."

5. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook: "If you're offered a seat on a rocket ship, don't ask what seat! Just get on."

6. Rosalind Brewer, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance: "Some people can process things quickly and move on. They are just wired differently, and that's okay."

7. Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle: "I've had all kinds of adversity, but I think you have to be fearless."

8. Stacey Cunningham, President of the New York Stock Exchange: "You don't need to be perfect. Most decisions can be undone."

9. Phebe Novakovic, CEO of General Dynamics: "The test of any organization is not genius. It's its capacity to get its job done."

10. Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo: "Just because you are CEO, don't think you have landed. You must continually increase your learning, the way you think, and the way you approach the organization."

11. Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe: "When you really believe in what you're doing, it is truly a great adventure."

12. Angela Ahrendts, former Senior Vice President of Apple: "Everyone talks about building a relationship with your customer. I think you build one with your employees first."

13. Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox: "Dreams do come true, but not without the help of others, a good education, a strong work ethic, and the courage to lean in."

14. Sara Blakely, CEO of Spanx: "Embrace what you don't know, especially in the beginning, because what you don't know can become your greatest asset. It ensures that you will absolutely be doing things different from everybody else."

15. Meg Whitman, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard: "When people use your brand name as a verb, that is remarkable."

16. Mary Dillon, CEO of Ulta Beauty: "I think the best leaders really understand that the art of communication is the language of leadership."

17. Emily Weiss, CEO of Glossier: "In my experience, the most valuable feedback comes from customers, not from critics."

18. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CEO of Biocon: "The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity."

19. Jessica Alba, CEO of The Honest Company: "You have to be brutally honest with yourself and understand your strengths and weaknesses."

20. Whitney Wolfe Herd, CEO of Bumble: "Don't wait to be given power. Assume power. Power is not given. Power is taken."

21. Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code: "You cannot be what you cannot see."

22. Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo: "I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that's how you grow."

23. Melanie Perkins, CEO of Canva: "Dream big, start small, but most of all, start."

24. Kat Cole, COO of Focus Brands: "We all have moments of desperation. But if we can face them head on, that's when we find out just how strong we really are."

25. Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group: "Don't you dare underestimate the power of your own instinct."

Final Note

We hope these empowering quotes from female CEOs have instilled a sense of inspiration and courage in you. Each quote is a testament to these women's resilience, tenacity, and remarkable leadership. Their words remind us that success is not defined by one's gender but by one's passion, hard work, and unwavering determination.

As these women continue to break barriers and redefine norms, they pave the way for future generations of female leaders. Remember, your potential is limitless, and your journey is uniquely yours.