Fortune Names Asia’s 100 Most Powerful Women for 2025

Fortune has unveiled its 2025 "Most Powerful Women Asia" list, a ranking of 100 female executives who are driving growth and innovation across the region [2]. This year’s list is topped by Tan Su Shan, the CEO of DBS, who assumed her role at Singapore’s largest bank earlier this year [4].

Key takeaways

• The 2025 list recognizes 100 business leaders operating across 14 distinct markets in the Asia-Pacific region [2].
• Fortune editors selected the honorees based on their measurable impact, strategy reach, and capacity to shape the future [3].
• More than one-third of the finalists hold leadership positions within Global 500, China 500, or Southeast Asia 500 companies [3].
• Alongside the business ranking, Fortune spotlighted 12 "Asian icons" from the fields of sports, arts, culture, and public leadership [2].

Evaluating Regional Leadership

To compile the 2025 rankings, Fortune evaluated candidates based on company health and scale, career momentum, innovation, and efforts to drive social impact [2]. The resulting list spans a wide geographic footprint, including 20 leaders based in mainland China, 15 in Singapore, 13 in Hong Kong, and eight each in India and Thailand [2]. Other represented markets include Japan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Macau [2].

The top ten leaders on the 2025 list include Tan Su Shan (DBS), Grace Wang (Luxshare Precision Industry), Meng Wanzhou (Huawei), Bonnie Y Chan (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing), and Kathy Yang Chiu-chin (Hon Hai Technology Group) [2]. They are joined by Malina Ngai (AS Watson), Roshni Nadar Malhotra (HCLTech), Choi Soo-yeon (Naver), Makiko Ono (Suntory Beverage and Food), and Mitsuko Tottori (JAL Group) [2]. These executives represent a diverse range of sectors, including finance, technology, and consumer goods [2].

Expanding the Definition of Influence

In addition to the primary business ranking, this year’s edition highlights 12 influential figures who operate outside of the corporate sector [3]. This group includes Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information, Josephine Teo, and Malaysian screen legend Michelle Yeoh [2]. The list also recognizes the four members of the K-pop group BLACKPINK—Lisa, Jennie, Rose, and Jisoo—as well as Filipina tennis player Alex Eala [2].

Why it matters

The "Most Powerful Women Asia" list serves as a benchmark for female leadership in a region characterized by both global and regional volatility [3]. By highlighting leaders who have successfully navigated these challenges to gain a business advantage, the ranking provides insight into how corporate strategy is evolving in Asia [3]. To celebrate the 2025 honorees, Fortune is scheduled to host an award ceremony and a leaders' breakfast at the Fortune Innovation Forum in Malaysia on November 17–18 [2].