The Most Visionary Female Founders To Watch, 2025 August2025

Editorial

-AlayaBrown

TShe Leads, She Shapes, She Inspires

he landscape of entrepreneurship has always been shaped by

visionaries—those who see possibility where others see barriers. In 2025,anewwaveoftrailblazersisredefiningthatvisionwithcourage, creativity,andanunshakablecommitmenttotheirpurpose:womenfounders who are not only building businesses but reshaping industries, influencing culture,andinspiringthenextgenerationofleaders.

The Most Visionary Female Founders to Watch, 2025 is a tribute to these remarkableindividuals.Theyareinnovatorsanddisruptorswhoseleadership isanchoredinresilience,strategicforesight,andanunwaveringbeliefintheir missions. Their ventures span industries—technology, healthcare, finance, sustainability, fashion, education, and beyond—but they share one defining trait:theabilitytotransformideasintomovementsthatleavealastingimpact.

These women have navigated challenges that go far beyond market competition. They’ve faced systemic biases, funding gaps, and societal expectations, yet turned those hurdles into stepping stones for growth. They leadwithempathyasmuchaswithexpertise,knowingthattruesuccessisnot justmeasuredinprofits,butinthechangetheycreateandthelivestheytouch.

Visionaryleadershipisnotaboutpredictingthefuture—it’saboutcreatingit. The founders featured here are doing exactly that. They are leveraging technologytosolveglobalproblems,championingsustainabilitytoprotectour planet, reimagining customer experiences, and driving inclusive growth that benefits communities as much as bottom lines. Their journeys prove that entrepreneurship,atitsbest,isbothabusinessandacalling.

As2025unfolds,theseleaderswillcontinuetochallengeconventionsandset newbenchmarksforwhat’spossible.Theirstoriesoffernotonlyinspirationbut alsoablueprintforaspiringentrepreneurs—proofthatwithvision,persistence, andpurpose,eventheboldestgoalscanbecomereality.

This recognition is not just about celebrating individual achievements—it is about acknowledging a collective shift. A shift toward leadership that is innovative, inclusive, and unafraid to disrupt the status quo. The future of businessisdiverse,dynamic,anddrivenbyleaderslikethese.

Here’stothewomenshapingtomorrow—today

The Unseen Architects of Victory – Vicki Sutton and Ria Burrage-Male: Empowering Sports Captains Worldwide

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Leading With Empathy Why Emotional Intelligence is the Superpower of Women Leaders

Negotiation, Power and Presence Skills Every Aspiring Woman Leader Needs

Editor-in-Chief

Managing

Art

Business

Business

Digital

Co-designer

Marketing

Technical

Featuring

Adela Jamal Co-founder & Partner

milemark•capital milemark.capital.com Instute

Brief

Adela Jamal is a Silicon Valley tech operator turned venture capital leader. With prior experience at Sony Pictures and as a tech consultant, she champions DEI and women’s advancement in tech.

Amanda DeLuca Founder & CEO

Amanda Victoria Chief Execuve Officer

Vicki Suon and Ria Burrage-Male Co-founders

Xiomara Wilson Chief Operang Officer

Siponey Spritz Co. B Corp siponey.com

Captains Clubhouse captainsclubhouse.com

Pressiqa pressiqa.com Riley rileyapp.com

Amanda is not only a seasoned product leader with experience at Google, Etsy, Eventbrite, and other tech companies—she’s also a cerfied pediatric sleep consultant and a first-me mom who experienced firsthand how overwhelming early parenthood can be.

Amanda Victoria is an award-winning drinks industry veteran with deep roots in cocktail crasmanship, brand storytelling, and social impact leadership.

Vicki and Ria created a digital leadership plaorm designed exclusively for sports captains—from grassroots level all the way to internaonal elite.

Through Xiomara’s operaonal leadership, Pressiqa provides high-touch storytelling that drives real results—boosng visibility, credibility, and growth.

Co-founder

Captains Clubhouse

Captains Clubhouse

TheMostVisionaryFemaleFounderstoWatch,2025

Do it, be brave! Don’t seek perfection, don’t wait for everything to be in its place.Take the first step and the next step will follow... Be prepared to pivot, change is inevitable, embrace it.

Sportsmanship is the innate spirit of champions. In the crucible of sports, individuals explore their true potentialtoforgeanathleteoutofthemselves.Beyond competition, sports are all about camaraderie, companionship, capacity building, and bonding through team spirit —a team united under a charismatic captain, never giving up in the face of a formidable adversary or the most challengingadversity.

That is why Vicki Sutton and Ria Burrage-Male, the Co-founders of CaptainsClubhouse,havealwaysloved sportssincetheycanremember

The Inevitable Path: A Lifelong PassionforSport

“Sport is at my core, from as far back as I can remember, it’s been a part of my life,” recalls Ria. Venturing into the sports industry was always going to be herpath,andithastakenherindifferent directions: from PE teacher to director ofEducationandInclusionatafootball charity, to CEO of Hockey Wales, to setting up a leadership and wellness business,andultimatelytotheCaptain’s Clubhouse.

Similarly,Vickihasgrownupwatching sport,anditwastheonlycareerpathshe was ever interested in. She says, “I’ve been fortunate enough to work in national governing bodies, umbrella organisations and private sports businesses, so I have had a really great range of experiences in my career so far.”

needed, but never had.Captainsareexpectedtolead,inspire, andperform,oftenwithoutthetools,training,orsupporttodo it well “So we created something different Something better.”

We're not just building a platform. We're shaping the future of sports leadership for all captains...We’ve built in multilingual content, culturally inclusive examples, and flexible access that works across time zones. No one should feel like leadership tools are out of reach because of where they live or the sport they play.

They have both worked with Captains of teams and have also been Captains themselves, discussing the idea of providing more support for people in thatvitalroleforalongtime.Then,thisyear,thestarsaligned, andtheybothhadthetimeandenergyavailabletobringitto life.

Captains Clubhouse was built with one clear mission: to give Sports Captains the leadership space they've always

ChampioningChange:Navigating UnequalTerrains

The sports world remains predominantly male-led in many regions. However, while navigating the unequal terrains, Ria says she neverletitstopherfromchasingher ambitions Even when she’s been surrounded by misogyny and homophobia, she’s refused to let it slow her down. “I’ve tolerated a lot overtheyears,”shereveals.

Vicki adds, “Same here And honestly,westandontheshouldersof many change-makers who came before us, people who pushed through even harder barriers. That’s why it’s so important we keep championing and celebrating women, lifting each other, and building circles that include strong malealliestoo.”

Ria agrees, “Absolutely Success really comes down to who you surround yourself with, people who support you, challenge you, and share your values, ” while Vicki complements,“And staying focused. Staying in your lane. That’s the key Blockoutthenoiseandkeepgoing.”

With those beliefs firmly rooted in their vision, the inception of Captain’s Clubhouse was the next obviousstep.Asbothfeltthatitwas inevitable they would work together onsomethingexcitingatsomepoint. “When we discussed this concept, our approach was let’s go forit,weknewitwasagreatidea,itjustneededsomeaction”

That confidence to adapt is how they’ve arrived here today, acknowledging that it may not be perfect but continuing to worktowardssomethinggreat.

TheEthosofInclusivity:UnitingThroughSport

Additionally,theyarefairlywell-connected,andrecordinga few captains to kick-start things gave them the confidence they needed.They shared the concept with some trusted friends, got their heads together on what resources would help, and the rest is history. Greathistoryandastarttheyarereally proudof.

Pridealsostemsfromthefactthatthe ethos of Captain’s Clubhouse reflected in its partnerships and p r o g r a m s is i n c l u s i v e , encompassing gender, generational, andculturallydiverse.

Ria explains, “We want to connect with, learn from, and share the voices of as many people as possible who reflecttherichnessofourcommunity.” Inclusivity isn’t just a value; it’s a driveroftrustandperformance.When teams feel supported and safe, they thrive, she adds. “That’s why we’re passionate about hearing stories from captains and understanding what inclusiveleadershipreallylookslike.”

ThePowerofUnity

According to Vicki, sport has this incrediblepowertounitepeople—it’s auniversallanguage.That’soneofits greatest strengths, and it’s something they want to harness through the CaptainsClubhouse.

Vicki cites, “Sir Gareth Edwards shared a brilliant example with us.” He talked about learning from older players, those who had been there before him. He surrounded himself with their wisdom and soaked it in. That’sgenerationalinclusivityinaction.

generationscommunicateandlearn,whetherit'sMillennials, Gen Z, or Gen X. Flexibility is crucial in ensuring that everyonefeelsheardandvalued.

We’ve tolerated a lot over the years... We’re standing on the shoulders of many changemakers who came before us, people who pushed through even harder barriers. That’s why it’s so important we keep championing and celebrating women, lifting each other, and building circles that include strong male allies too.

Riajoins,“Exactly.”Captainscandrawontheexperienceof older players and the energy of younger ones. However, to lead effectively, they also need to understand how different

Vicki furthers, “And that’s where Captains Clubhouse comes in We want to support captains to build culturally inclusive teams, where differences are respected, from religious practices to pronouns, and where psychological safety is prioritized.”

Bothbelievethatit’sinthoseinclusive environments that real cohesion happens, and that’s where highperforming,connectedteamsarebuilt.

TrailblazingTraitstoSucceed

Moreover, they also feel that some distinct leadership traits have been instrumental to their success in a domain where women are still underrepresented. Vicki states that thriving in a constantly changing environment demands a whole range of traits and behaviors “You need empathy and compassion, of course—butalsotheabilitytosetclear boundaries, especially around communicationandperformance.”

Ria adds, “But if there’s one trait we believe is absolutely instrumental Its authenticity Showing up consistently asyourself,that’swhatbuildsrealtrust andlastingrelationships.”

She continues, “We’ve seen that firsthand. Over the years, we ’ ve reconnected with people we met long ago—and because those relationships were built on authenticity, they’ve been willing to work with us, support us,andevenpartnerwithus.”

In a world that’s always evolving, being real and being consistent is what keeps doors open and connectionsstrong, agreesboth

ShapingtheFuture:Innovation,Community,andLegacy

Innovation plays a crucial role in the evolution of sports engagement.As it drives everything they do at the Captains Clubhouse. “We're not just building a platform. We're shaping the future of sports leadership for all captains.”

They’ve chosen a dynamic, community-driven platform powered by Circle because they wanted somethingthatevolveswiththepeople using it “This isn’t just a static resource hub; it’s a living, breathing space that grows as the captains do. With features like real-time commenting, interactive video libraries, and on-demand content, users can dive into exactly what they need,whentheyneedit.Whetherthey prefer to listen, watch, or read, the platformmeetsthemwheretheyare,” informsRia

Vicki adds that accessibility and inclusivity have been at the heart of every decision they’ve made. “We’ve built in multilingual content, culturally inclusive examples, and flexible access that works across time zones.” That means a school hockey captain inWales has the same access, value, and sense of belonging as a rugby captain in New Zealand or a lacrosse captain in Kenya. No one shouldfeellikeleadershiptoolsareout ofreachbecauseofwheretheyliveor thesporttheyplay

AtTheForefrontofaTurningPoint

From Ria’s perspective, the sports industry is at a turning point,notjustevolving.It'snolongerjustaboutperformance, sponsorships,orstadiums.Thebiggest shiftsarehappeninginthespacesyou can’talwayssee.Athletesarepolitical beings;theyarechallengingbehaviors at the top, shining a spotlight on mindset, culture, inclusivity, mental well-being, and leadership. They are no longer relevant on the courts, pitches,andfields;theyarerelevantin all aspects of society Sport is now a platform for social change, from climate action to allyship. Audiences want more than scores; they want meaning. Purpose-driven content, storytelling,andathleteplatformsthat elevatevalues,notjustvisibility

Success really comes down to who you surround yourself with, people who support you, challenge you, and share your values. And staying focused. Staying in your lane.That’s the key. Block out the noise and keep going.

But Captains Clubhouse is about more than technology. It’s about community, real, human connection. It's building something that stretches beyond the screen. “Through local meetups, our Coffee with Captains series, and larger-scale conferences, we’re creating opportunities for captains to come together, share experiences, and grow together—whetherthat’sinpersonoronline,”sharesVicki

Ultimately,bothVickiandRiaarenotjustcreatingaplatform; they’re nurturing a global network of leaders who support, challenge, and drive each other forward. That’s what the CaptainsClubhouseisallabout.

Captains are the voices of their teammates; they are connecting with partners, stakeholders, board members, senior leaders, and sponsors. They need to be equipped with the skills to drive change on and offthecourt.

TheCulturalEdge

And according to Vicki, culture is an edge cultivating which reflects resilience, collaboration, and agility—particularly in such a fastmoving and high-expectation environment.It’showcaptainsturnup everyday Theirpresence,daytoday, duringtheprocessandtheoutcome(winorlose),iscrucial,as theymustsetthetoneandmaintainit.Thisisahugepressure and lends itself nicely to sports that have leadership teams wheretheexpectationscanbeshared.

Captainsneedtosetsharedgoalswiththeirteam;thiscreates collaboration and keeps teammates accountable. Through setting boundaries, establishing clarity of roles, and having candid conversations, captains can cultivate a team culture thatreflectsresilience.“This creates a space of psychological safety, where decisions can be made without fear, creating empowered individuals and a culture of ‘we’ve got you, make thedecision,”sheinsists.

SharingSportyWisdom

In her advice to other women aspiring to build ventures in industries that have traditionally lacked female leadership, Ria says, “Do it, be brave! Don’t seek perfection, don’t wait foreverythingtobeinitsplace.Takethefirststep,andthenext stepwillfollow.”

Vicki adds pragmatically, “Be prepared to pivot, change is inevitable,embraceit.”

“Find your tribe, surround yourself with trusted friends and mentors. Ignore the noise, there is a lot of it. There are doubters, stay in your lane and do not lose focus,” they say bothinunison.

The‘Aha’Moments

Lookingbackontheirjourneysofar,whatthey’remostproud ofisn’tjustonesinglemilestone.It’sthecollectionof“aha” moments they’ve shared along the way There have been so many points where they’ve paused and thought, “This is

working. This is needed.” Whether it was the first time a captain told them how their content helped them navigate a difficult situation, or when a group of young leaders connectedacrossbordersbecauseofsomethingtheycreated, thosearethemomentsthatmakeitallworthwhile.

They’vetakenanideathatstartedasaconversationbetween two people and turned it into something real, something otherscanfeelpartof.“We’re proud of how we’ve stayed true to our values, inclusivity, community, learning, while still beingboldenoughtoadapt,pivot,andgrow.”

Butmostofall,they’reproudofthefactthatthey’redoingthis together “We’ve built something that not only reflects who we areasindividualsbutalsowhatwebelieveincollectively,and seeing others resonate with that has been the biggest breakthroughofall.”

ForRia,bothsuccessandlegacyareaboutacommunityand supportive structure for captains globally, so they are fully equippedandappreciated.

To Vicki, it is “Global Domination and 12% of Captains WorldwideintheClubhousewithus.”

Astwowomennotonlyinthesportingindustrybutalsointhe leadershipindustry,theyhopetoinspireotherwomentoenter thesespaceswithconfidence,integrity,andprofessionalism.

Join the movement redefining sports leadership and community.

www.captainsclubhouse.com info@captainsclubhouse.com @captains.clubhouse FollowonInstagram:

Leading With Empathy

Why Emotional Intelligence is the Superpower of Women Leaders

There are fundamental changes in leadership expectations When hybrid teams, generational diversity,andthespeedofsocialchangearenowthe characteristics of our times, then being able to lead, guide, think,andactmorewithempatheticandemotionalawareness is no longer a choice, but a necessity The core of this transformation lies in Emotional Intelligence (EI), a set of skills which enable leaders to relate, to communicate, to inspire more enlightened. Women leaders are increasingly emerging as front-runners in this category due to their inherent ability in this field. Their empathy, teamwork, and personal insight are changing the paradigm of what robust, present-dayleadershipmeans.

UnderstandingEmotionalIntelligence

Emotional Intelligence is a term introduced by psychologist DanielGolemanandismadeupoffivefundamentalaspects, which include self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills These skills affect the way leadership handles conduct, social dynamics, and personal choices that have constructive outcomes. In contrast to IQ,

whichisrelativelyunchangeable,emotionalintelligencecan besharpenedandenhancedwithpractice.

EI is not all about being a nice person or expressive. It is a tacticalleadershipcapabilitythatmayaffectcommunication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and team morale. High emotional intelligence helps leaders become more in touch withtheemotionaldispositionoftheirgroups,thinkcritically inextremesituations,andbuildopenandpsychologicallysafe workcultures.

WhyWomenLeadersExcelinEmotionalIntelligence

There are several reasons why women leaders often demonstratehighemotionalintelligence:

• RelationalLeadershipStyle:Femalestendtoembrace an inclusive approach to leadership. Their priorities often lie in the relationships and group dynamics, and theyarecloselyrelatedtothemainpointsofemotional intelligence.

• Heightened Empathy: At work and even at home, womenareoftenexpectedtocarryoutemotionalwork such as reading social cues, listening to others, and managingpeople.Suchexpectationscanbedemanding, buttheyalsobuildemotionalintelligenceabilities.

• ExperienceWithBiasandBarriers:Overcomingthe institutional challenges and gender discrimination can create higher degrees of self-knowledge and power. Such experiences lead to heightened awareness of difficulties others encounter and can enhance compassionateleadership.

• Emphasis on Inclusion and Well-being: Women executives often initiate employee wellness and inclusion in the workplace. Among these priorities, there is a more social type of emotional intelligence where emotional well-being and psychological safety arekey.

TheBusinessCaseforEmotionalIntelligence

In addition to the personal experience narratives, emotional intelligence offers a decent business case. Harvard Business Review research found that emotionally intelligent leaders are more likely to create engagement, trust, creativity, and collaboration. Groups under these types of leaders are more effective,turnoverislower,andjobsatisfactionishigher

The ability to lead empathetically, through the use of emotions,andtheabilitytobuildtrust,giveleadersanedge, especially in a multicultural workforce in a globalized environment.

EmotionalIntelligenceinActionCaseStudies

Emotionally intelligent women leaders are increasingly makinghugecontributionsinvariousindustries.

The ex-Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, received global recognition due to her compassionate and emotionally intelligent approach to crises, such as the Christchurch Mosque shootings and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her interaction skills were observed to be very adept and minute, empathetic, and non-confrontational, and were widely accepted as a masterclass on emotional intelligenceinleadership.

Thisinstancehighlightsthepracticaladvantagesofemotional intelligenceinleadershipwithempathyandsincerity.

DevelopingEmotionalIntelligenceinAllLeaders

Althoughwomenhaveastrongernaturalorsocialservicein certainareasofEI,emotionalintelligencedoesnotbelongtoa particular gender It is one of the sets of skills that may and must be developedby every leader This can be achievedby organizationsdoing:

• IntegratingleadershiptrainingwithEIdevelopment

• Promotingmentoringandpeercoaching

• Management of emotionally smart actions is achieved through the evaluation and recompense of emotionsmartactions.

• Developing empathy, listening, and psychological safetycultures

The push towards more emotionally intelligent leadership is notnecessarilyagenderedagenda,butthereisvaluetopaying attention to the strengths women must add to the table and learningtolearnfromthem.

Conclusion

EmotionalIntelligenceisasuperpower,whichisasoftskill. Leaders who guide with empathy, emotional understanding, and connection are valuable now more than ever as organizationsstruggletooperateinaworldofexponentially increased complexity and change Female leaders have becomeattunedtotheseskillsinmajorwaysandhavecreated a new norm of what effective leadership should be. With emotional intelligence, workplaces can establish stronger, more inclusive, high-performing leadership cultures that benefitall,notmerelywomen.

Negotiation, Power and Presence

Skills Every Aspiring Woman Leader Needs

There is nothing new about challenging entry to leadershiproles,especiallywhenitcomestowomen, where the pursuit is compounded by unspoken expectations, unconscious bias, and insufficient networks to access power To become a successful female leader, talent and ambition are not everything that a present-day aspiring woman needs. It requires the mastery of three frequently underserved but mission-critical skills: negotiation, power, and presence. These cannot just be theoretical leadership qualities; they are practical instruments that define how a woman can lead, influence, and make judgements in highstakesconditions.

ThePowerofNegotiation

The ability to negotiate is a skill that goes well beyond the boardroom It influences the pattern of distribution of responsibilities,accesstoresources,andcareeropportunities. Mostwomenare,however,reluctanttonegotiateeitherover their position, remuneration, or influence. To the aspiring woman-leader, the most important lesson to learn is that negotiationisnotfightingbutratheracollaborativeprocess.

Incorporating negotiation as a normal aspect of leadership will enable women to reframe outcomes. It assists in establishing boundaries, expectations, and mutual benefit in

any business interaction. Negotiation can also serve as the entrance to a wider influence, inspiring a team, providing essentialresources,orpromotinginclusivepolicies.Theskill of negotiating both empathically and assertively is an indication of leadership preparedness and the willingness to navigateoutcomes,notmerelyreceivethem.

UnderstandingandEmbracingPower

Intentional power is one of the most effective tools a leader can have. However, the notion of power is usually received with unease. It is a tightrope between influence and being likable, strong versus humble, particularly in the case of women. However, shunning power altogether may impair leadershipdevelopmentandconstraininfluence.

A budding woman leader should know that power is not necessarily a bad thing It can be based on expertise, relationships, communication, and integrity. Empowerment through action involves assuming responsibility, leadership, andbeingsteadfastinthemostcriticalmoments.Italsorefers tothefactthatyoucanmakeadifferenceandimpactculture, provide support to people, and question the use of obsolete systems.

Becomingpowerfulinvolvesbeingfearless.Itcanbeinitiated by little things, like raising your voice at a meeting, supporting an audacious idea, or coaching junior staff. Such efforts cultivate presence and trust in the long term, as a vantagepointuponwhichwiderinfluencecanextend.

DevelopingLeadershipPresence

Leadership presence is what makes others pay attention to what you say. It is the process of manifesting confidence, clarity,andauthenticityinalldealings.Beingpresent,tothe aspiringwomanleader,isnotaboutmimickingorsnuggling into patriarchal leadership prototypes. And it is all about taking a stand, speaking with a purpose, and occupying the spacewithapresencethatislistenedto.

How you hold yourself, your spoken language, and your listeningskillsformpresence.Itisalsoanchoredinaconcept referred to as emotional intelligence, which is the understandingofpeopleandabouthowtoreadaroom,howto sustainoneselfunderpressure,andrespondinsteadofmerely reacting.Presencecanbeamysteriousthing,butitcanalsobe builtthroughself-awarenessandpractice.

IntegratingtheThree:AUnifiedApproach

The area of negotiation, power, and presence is not separate skills; on the contrary, they are closely intertwined. An effectivenegotiatoralsohastorealizetheirpowerandturnup confidentlytothesatisfactionoftheotherparty.Inthesame way, a strong presence also augments the results of the negotiationsandstrengthenstheinfluenceoftheleader

The solution is to combine these skills deliberately as an aspiringwomanleader.Thisinvolvesbeingreadytoconverse with clarity, boldly entering into leadership spots, and confidentlydoingsowitheloquenceandcare.Itisamoving equilibriumthatgrowsovertime.

Developing these skills should not be a short experience; instead, it should be a continuous process. It comprises reflection,studyingmistakes,findingamentor,andremaining dedicated to personal and professional development. When theseskillsareexpanded,theleaderbecomesmorecapableof influencingtheoutcome,inspiringothers,andfunctioningas along-lastingchangemaker

Conclusion

Leadershipisnotonlyaboutgettingtothetop,butalsohow you get there,who you positivelyimpact,and the difference you bring about in the process. Learning to negotiate, claim ownershipofyourpower,andusepresenceisnotabonus;itis a given to every woman leader or aspiring leader. These devicesdonotmerelyassistyouinchartingyourcourse,but in shaping it. And when women decide to take the helm deliberately,theeffectsareinevitable.Theynotonlyredefine the concept of leadership to themselves, but also to every observerandfellowwhocomesbehind.

www.x.com/insightssuccess