What's Happening?
CNBC has announced the addition of Jacqueline Reses, Co-Founder & CEO of Lead Bank, and Patience Ball, Impact Chairperson at Apollo, to its Changemakers Advisory Board. This board is responsible for selecting
honorees for the CNBC Changemakers: Women Transforming Business list, which celebrates women driving significant change across industries. Reses and Ball bring extensive experience in finance, investing, and entrepreneurship, which will be crucial in identifying the 2026 honorees. Nominations for the list are open until November 21, 2025, and the final list will be announced in February 2026. The board uses a data-driven approach to evaluate nominees based on their impact and contributions to their respective sectors.
Why It's Important?
The inclusion of Reses and Ball in the CNBC Changemakers Advisory Board highlights the growing recognition of women's roles in transforming business landscapes. Their expertise in finance and impact investing underscores the importance of diverse leadership in driving innovation and economic growth. This initiative not only celebrates women's achievements but also encourages more gender-diverse investing, which has been shown to yield higher returns and foster inclusive economic development. By spotlighting these leaders, CNBC aims to inspire more women to take on decision-making roles, ultimately contributing to a more equitable business environment.
What's Next?
The CNBC Changemakers list will be announced in February 2026, followed by an event celebrating the honorees in the spring. As nominations are still open, women in senior leadership roles at qualifying companies are encouraged to apply. The board will continue to evaluate candidates based on their quantitative and qualitative impact, ensuring that the selected honorees represent the most influential women in business. This ongoing initiative is expected to further promote gender diversity in leadership positions and inspire future generations of women leaders.
