The Top 50 Women in Security

This year’s list also marks a historic watershed for the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. For the first time, the majority of the intelligence agencies spanning the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are led by women.

Among those recognised in this list, Tulsi Gabbard is the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Blaise Metreweli leads the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) as the first female C, Anne Keast-Butler leads GCHQ, Kerri Hartland leads the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), Caroline Xavier leads Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE), and Kathy Klugman leads Australia’s Office of National Intelligence (ONI). That the senior ranks of the Western intelligence community are now predominantly female is a transformation that would have been unimaginable a decade ago and reflects the deepening pipeline of women who have risen through the intelligence and security services of the alliance’s member states.

Susie Wiles is at the top of the list as President Trump’s Chief of Staff who has been at the President’s side in his key national security decisions on the decapitation attacks on Venezuela and Iran.

Sanae Takaichi, the new Prime Minister of Japan is second on the list for her strong focus on rebuilding Japan’s defence and the alliance with the USA with the transformative US-Japan Investment Fund that is investing $500 billion into US infrastructure.

Yulia Svyrydenko, the Prime Minister of Ukraine is in the top ten as a wartime leader for Ukraine alongside President Zelensky. Under Zelensky and Svyrydenko’s leadership, Ukraine has built the most modern and resilient defence industrial base among the democracies.

HRH Princess Reema is in the top ten leaders for her vital leadership role between Riyadh and Washington DC during the war with Iran.

Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, is again recognised for her sustained support for Ukraine and European security. Under her leadership, Italy has reiterated unwavering political and diplomatic backing for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression and has hosted and driven high-level efforts on economic recovery and reconstruction support.