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 part of CNBC's annual
initiative, 'CNBC Changemakers: Women Transforming Business,' which honors women reshaping the business landscape through innovation and leadership. Reses and Ball bring extensive experience in finance, investing, and entrepreneurship, which will be crucial in selecting the 2026 honorees. The Changemakers list, inspired by Julia Boorstin's book 'When Women Lead,' aims to celebrate women driving meaningful change across industries. Nominations for the 2026 list are open until November 21, 2025, and require candidates to be in senior leadership roles at companies with significant revenue or enterprise value. The list will be announced in February 2026, followed by a celebratory event in the spring.
Why It's Important?
The inclusion of Jacqueline Reses and Patience Ball in the CNBC Changemakers Advisory Board underscores the growing recognition of women's leadership in business. Their participation highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping industry standards and driving innovation. This initiative not only celebrates women's achievements but also encourages more inclusive practices in business leadership. By focusing on women in senior roles, CNBC aims to inspire future generations and promote gender equality in corporate environments. The impact of this initiative could lead to increased visibility for women leaders and potentially influence corporate policies towards more equitable representation.
What's Next?
The next steps involve the nomination process for the 2026 Changemakers list, which is open until November 21, 2025. Following the nomination period, the board will use a data-driven approach to evaluate candidates based on their impact and contributions to their industries. The announcement of the selected honorees will take place in February 2026, with a subsequent event to celebrate their achievements. This process will likely attract attention from various stakeholders, including businesses, investors, and advocacy groups, who may seek to align with the values promoted by the Changemakers initiative.
Beyond the Headlines
The CNBC Changemakers initiative could have broader implications for corporate culture and gender diversity in leadership roles. By highlighting successful women leaders, the program may encourage companies to reassess their diversity policies and strive for more balanced representation. This could lead to long-term shifts in how businesses approach leadership development and talent management, fostering environments where diverse voices are valued and empowered. Additionally, the initiative may inspire other media and business organizations to create similar programs, amplifying the movement towards gender equality in the corporate world.
