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Power is a concept synonymous with DC—in its symbolism, its offices, its people. Many Washingtonians hold power by virtue of their positions, titles, and affiliations. For others, power is intrinsic and follows them wherever they go. Some are obvious in their authority. Others pull the strings of influence and change discreetly.
One thing is certain: More and more of the most powerful people in the city—in all of those capacities—are women. A decade ago, a list of Washington’s Most Powerful Women was not nearly as long. This time around, we had to make some hard decisions to keep it from overflowing the allotted pages.
To arrive at this roster, we talked to industry leaders, people with their finger on the pulse, and of course names on lists of years past to find out which women in the region wield the most power right now. (Fun fact: Powerful women do not hesitate to share names of other powerful women.) We also scoured the news—seeking out people responsible for it, both in the forefront and behind the scenes. Finally, we looked to the city’s most powerful institutions and those leading them. From arts, nonprofit, and media mavens to corporate, political, and legal powerhouses, here are 169 women making a mark in Washington.
National Politics
Women hold some of the most prestigious—and powerful—positions in the country, from cabinet posts and party leadership to Vice President.
Jill Biden
First Lady of the United States
Anita Dunn
Senior Adviser and Assistant to the President
Jen Easterly
Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Marcia Fudge
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Suzy George
Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State
Jennifer Granholm
Secretary of Energy
Isabel Guzman
Administrator, Small Business Administration
Deb Haaland
Secretary of the Interior
Avril Haines
Director of National Intelligence
Kamala Harris
Vice President of the United States
Carla Hayden
Librarian of Congress
Karine Jean-Pierre
White House Press Secretary
Lina Khan
Chair, Federal Trade Commission
Ronna McDaniel
Chair, Republican National Committee
Samantha Power
Administrator, United States Agency for International Development
Gina Raimondo
Secretary of Commerce
Evan Ryan
White House Cabinet Secretary
Katherine Tai
United States Trade Representative
Lorraine Voles
Chief of Staff to the Vice President
Janet Yellen
Secretary of the Treasury
Shalanda Young
Director, Office of Management and Budget
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Local Politics
In an area rife with power, these leaders have sway over the region. As elected officials, they make important decisions for their counties, cities, and states—with national recognition that goes beyond their jurisdictions.
I think the more girls see women running for office, it seems a little bit more doable. It’s a tremendous responsibility. I want to make sure thatI’m continuing to make them proud.”
—Abigail Spanberger
US Representative from Virginia
“I think the more girls see women running for office, it seems a little bit more doable. It’s a tremendous responsibility. I want to make sure thatI’m continuing to make them proud.”
—Abigail Spanberger
US Representative from Virginia
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Muriel Bowser
Mayor of DC
Eleanor Holmes Norton
DC Delegate, US House of Representatives
Abigail Spanberger
US Representative from Virginia
Jennifer Wexton
US Representative from Virginia
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Power on the Hill
This cohort of senators and representatives hold some of the highest positions in Congress, leading key committees and enacting legislation within a contentious lawmaking body.
Katherine Clark
Democratic Whip, US House of Representatives
Susan Collins
US Senator from Maine
Joni Ernst
Chair, Republican Policy Committee, US Senate
Kay Granger
Chair, Appropriations Committee, US House of Representatives
Amy Klobuchar
US Senator from Minnesota
Elizabeth MacDonough
Parliamentarian, US Senate
Patty Murray
US Senator from Washington; President Pro Tempore and Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee
Nancy Pelosi
Speaker Emerita, US House of Representatives
Kyrsten Sinema
US Senator from Arizona
Elise Stefanik
US Representative from New York; Chair, House Republican Conference
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Legal Powers
Women have a strong presence on some of the country’s most important benches, from the judges leading DC’s judiciary system to the justices on the nation’s highest court. Also represented here: attorneys running the Supreme Court practices at their firms or working with local clients on other high-profile cases.
Lisa Banks
Partner, Katz Banks Kumin
Amy Coney Barrett
Associate Justice, US Supreme Court
Anna Blackburne-Rigsby
Chief Judge, DC Court of Appeals
Lisa Blatt
Partner and Chair, Supreme Court & Appellate Practice, Williams & Connolly
Cristina Carvalho
Co–Managing Partner, ArentFox Schiff
Tanya Chutkan
Judge, US District Court for the District of Columbia
Ketanji Brown Jackson
Associate Justice, US Supreme Court
Anita Josey-Herring
Chief Judge, DC Superior Court
Elena Kagan
Associate Justice, US Supreme Court
Debra Katz
Partner, Katz Banks Kumin
Elizabeth Prelogar
Solicitor General of the United States
Nicole Saharsky
Partner and Co-Chair, Supreme Court & Appellate Practice, Mayer Brown
Sonia Sotomayor
Associate Justice, US Supreme Court
Beth Wilkinson
Partner, Wilkinson Stekloff
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International Powers
Some of these diplomats act on behalf of America’s strongest allies. Others play a key role on the global stage, making their perch in Washington a notable position.
Kristalina Georgieva
Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Kirsten Hillman
Canadian Ambassador to the US
Oksana Markarova
Ukrainian Ambassador to the US
Karen Pierce
British Ambassador to the US
Reema bint Bandar Al Saud
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the US
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Education Powers
Whether leading local colleges and universities or advocating for teachers, these women wield influence over education systems.
Irma Becerra
President, Marymount University
Sylvia Mathews Burwell
President, American University
Ellen Granberg
President, George Washington University
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons
President, Washington Teachers’ Union
Randi Weingarten
President, American Federation of Teachers
Falecia D. Williams
President, Prince George’s Community College
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Business Powers
Look to the top of some of DC’s most powerful companies and you’ll often find a woman in charge. Spanning across industries—defense, hospitality, real-estate development, sports, and more—these professionals mean business when they walk into the boardroom.
Not only in sports, but in the workplace in general, we as women have a place. Having female leaders helps to bring more females into the fold. I encourage women to be authentic in who they are and know that it’s needed in the workplace. It’s so important that we understand our own power.”
—Danita Johnson
President of Business Operations, DC United
“Not only in sports, but in the workplace in general, we as women have a place. Having female leaders helps to bring more females into the fold. I encourage women to be authentic in who they are and know that it’s needed in the workplace. It’s so important that we understand our own power.”
—Danita Johnson
President of Business Operations, DC United
Erika Alexander
Chief Global Officer, Marriott
Priscilla Almodovar
CEO, Fannie Mae
Shaza Andersen
CEO and Founder, Trustar Bank
Mary Brady
CEO and President, Economic Club of Washington, D.C.
Suzanne Clark
CEO and President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Debra Lerner Cohen
Principal Owner, Washington Nationals
Michelle Freeman
President and Chair, Carl M. Freeman Foundation; Minority Partner, Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Leslie D. Hale
CEO and President, RLJ Lodging Trust
Diane Hoskins
Co-CEO, Gensler
Barbara Humpton
CEO and President, Siemens Corporation
Danita Johnson
President, Business Operations, DC United and Audi Field
Jeanelle Johnson
Principal, PwC
Sheila Johnson
Founder and CEO, Salamander Resorts
Michele Kang
Owner, Washington Spirit; Founder and CEO, Cognosante
Nazzic Keene
CEO, SAIC
Sachiko Kuno
Cofounder and Chair Emeritus, Halcyon
Laura Lane
Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, UPS
Jodie McLean
CEO, Edens
Phebe Novakovic
CEO and Chair, General Dynamics
Linda Rabbitt
Founder and Chair, Rand Construction
Susan Williamson Ross
President and CEO, 1906 Group
Kim Roy
CEO, HITT Contracting
Kyle Schoppmann
Mid-Atlantic President, CBRE
Liz Shuler
President, AFL-CIO
Kathy Warden
CEO, Chair, and President, Northrop Grumman
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Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Religion
Many of these women lead some of the area’s largest philanthropies, while others are helping drive funds to a variety of causes and organizations. Plus: You’ll find one of the area’s most impactful spiritual leaders.
Gen-X women must do more to stay in relationship with millennial women, to share lessons, pass the torch, and cheer them on. They need us, and we need them.”
—Tonia Wellons
CEO and President, Greater Washington Community Foundation
“Gen-X women must do more to stay in relationship with millennial women, to share lessons, pass the torch, and cheer them on. They need us, and we need them.”
—Tonia Wellons
CEO and President, Greater Washington Community Foundation
Rosie Allen-Herring
CEO and President, United Way National Capital Area
Adrienne Arsht
Philanthropist
Mariann Edgar Budde
Episcopal Bishop of Washington
Jean Case
CEO, Case Foundation
Claire Casey
President, AARP Foundation
Marlene Malek
Vice Chair and Cofounder, Friends of Cancer Research
Jacqueline Mars
Philanthropist
Gail McGovern
CEO and President, American Red Cross
Jennifer Morris
CEO, Nature Conservancy
Radha Muthiah
CEO and President, Capital Area Food Bank
Catherine B. Reynolds
CEO and Chair, Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation
Tonia Wellons
CEO and President, Greater Washington Community Foundation
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Medicine
More than three years after the onset of the pandemic, our hospital systems, healthcare services, and research institutes are as important as ever, many of them guided by women.
Monica M. Bertagnolli
Director, National Cancer Institute
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure
Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Annice Cody
President, Holy Cross Health Network
M. Joy Drass
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, MedStar Health
Anita Jenkins
CEO, Howard University Hospital
Jessica Melton
President and Chief Operating Officer, Suburban Hospital
Erin O’Shea
President, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Alice Pope
Chief Financial Officer, Inova Health System
Kimberly Russo
CEO, George Washington University Hospital
Monica Schmude
President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia
Nora D. Volkow
Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Ruth Williams-Brinkley
Regional President, Mid-Atlantic States, Kaiser Permanente
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Lobbying, Advocacy, and Think Tanks
From ideas to influence, these women help mold policy for a diverse set of issues. They hold high-ranking roles at prominent think tanks, lobbying firms, and advocacy groups; manage the relationships between powerful companies and the government; or are at the forefront of movements working to change the way politics operate.
Gina Adams
Corporate Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, FedEx
Virginia Boney
Senior Manager, Public Policy, Amazon
Laphonza Butler
President, EMILYs List
Stephanie Cutter
Founding Partner, Precision
Gloria Dittus
Chair, Story Partners
Erin Egan
Chief Privacy Officer, Policy, Meta
Kimberley Fritts
Founder and CEO, Cogent
Juleanna Glover
Founder and CEO, Ridgely Walsh
Tammy Haddad
CEO and President, Haddad Media
Karen Harbert
CEO and President, American Gas Association
Ann Marie Hauser
Vice President, Public Affairs, Hudson Institute
Nancy Jacobson
Founder and CEO, No Labels
Jo Ann Jenkins
CEO, AARP
Maya MacGuineas
President, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
Janet Murguía
CEO and President, UnidosUS
Susan Neely
CEO and President, American Council of Life Insurers
Lisa B. Nelson
CEO, American Legislative Exchange Council
Sharon Parrott
President, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Heather Podesta
Founder and CEO, Invariant
Anne-Marie Slaughter
CEO, New America
Shelly O’Neill Stoneman
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Lockheed Martin
Sheila Warren
CEO, Crypto Council for Innovation
Sarah Rosen Wartell
President, Urban Institute
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Media
These media executives and journalists aren’t just behind the headlines—they’re featured in them, too. From uncovering important scoops and anchoring prime-time shows to charting the direction of DC’s most influential publications, these women have a strong presence across broadcast, print, and digital media.
Yamiche Alcindor
Washington Correspondent, NBC News
Cesca Antonelli
Editor in Chief, Bloomberg Industry Group
Rachael Bade
Senior Washington Correspondent and Playbook Coauthor, Politico
Dana Bash
Chief Political Correspondent and Anchor, CNN
Jackie Bradford
President and General Manager, NBC4, Telemundo 44, and NBC Sports Washington
Elisabeth Bumiller
Washington Bureau Chief and Assistant Managing Editor, New York Times
Sally Buzbee
Executive Editor, Washington Post
Danielle Coffey
President and CEO, News/Media Alliance
Paula Kerger
President and CEO, PBS
Adrienne LaFrance
Executive Editor, theAtlantic
Kelly O’Donnell
Senior White House Correspondent, NBC News; President, White House Correspondents’ Association
Norah O’Donnell
Anchor and Managing Editor,CBS Evening News
Anna Palmer
Cofounder and CEO, Punchbowl News
Abby Phillip
Senior Political Correspondent and Anchor, CNN
Erika Pulley-Hayes
General Manager, WAMU
Sharon Percy Rockefeller
President and CEO, WETA
Swati Sharma
Editor in Chief, Vox
Goli Sheikholeslami
CEO, Politico Media Group
Patty Stonesifer
Interim CEO, Washington Post
Kara Swisher
New YorkMagazine Editor-at-Large and Podcast Host
Amy Walter
Publisher and Editor in Chief, Cook Political Report
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Arts
Many of DC’s museums and artistic organizations are helmed by women, each with a vision that shapes not only what we see in museums and onstage but also the future of their institutions.
I am very aware of the fact that while I may be the first Native woman to lead a Smithsonian museum, I won’t be the last, and I am very grateful for that.”
—Cynthia Chavez Lamar
Director, National Museum of the American Indian
“I am very aware of the fact that while I may be the first Native woman to lead a Smithsonian museum, I won’t be the last, and I am very grateful for that.”
—Cynthia Chavez Lamar
Director, National Museum of the American Indian
Melanie Adams
Interim Director, Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum
Melissa Chiu
Director, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Kaywin Feldman
Director, National Gallery of Art
Ann Friedman
Founder and CEO, Planet Word
Aileen Fuchs
President and Executive Director, National Building Museum
Maria Manuela Goyanes
Artistic Director, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Anthea M. Hartig
Director, National Museum of American History
Monica Jeffries Hazangeles
President and CEO, Strathmore
Cynthia Chavez Lamar
Director, National Museum of the American Indian
Deborah Rutter
President, Kennedy Center
Kim Sajet
Director, National Portrait Gallery
Stephanie Stebich
Director, Renwick Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum
Susan Fisher Sterling
Director, National Museum of Women in the Arts
Ellen Stofan
Undersecretary for Science and Research, Smithsonian
Francesca Zambello
Artistic Director, Washington National Opera
This article appears in the October 2023 issue of Washingtonian.
