A mere decade ago, the Fortune 500 list did not include any openly LGBTQ CEOs. It wasn’t until October 2014 when Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, publicly revealed that he is gay, becoming the first openly LGBTQ CEO on the prestigious list.
In an essay published for Bloomberg, just months before the Supreme Court recognized same-sex marriage as a constitutional right, Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed his realization of the benefits he had gained from the sacrifices made by others. Despite his reputation for being private about his personal life, Cook made the decision to share his sexuality, acknowledging that if it could provide support or inspiration to those struggling with their own identity, it was a worthwhile trade-off with his own privacy.
Fast forward nearly nine years, and three more openly LGBTQ executives hold top positions in Fortune 500 companies. Jim Fitterling, the CEO of Dow Chemicals, Jeffrey Gennette, the CEO of Macy’s, and Beth Ford, the CEO of Land O’Lakes, have joined the ranks of LGBTQ leaders at the helm of major corporations. This progress demonstrates the increasing visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in leadership positions within the business world.
Anne Richards has been at the helm of Fidelity International, a prominent U.K.-based investment management firm, since December 2018. Her leadership has guided the company through its operations and strategic decision-making.
Another notable LGBTQ executive is Martine Rothblatt, an entrepreneur who founded and currently serves as the CEO of United Therapeutics. Martine, who is transgender, has achieved significant success with the publicly-traded biotech company. In 2022, United Therapeutics recorded an impressive revenue of $1.94 billion, highlighting Martine’s entrepreneurial prowess and business acumen.
These examples showcase the diversity and inclusivity within the business world, as LGBTQ individuals like Anne Richards and Martine Rothblatt have demonstrated their exceptional leadership skills and achieved notable success in their respective industries.
Below are the six openly LGBTQ CEOs at the helm of major global companies
- Tim Cook
Company: Apple Inc.
Tim Cook was recently ranked No. 3 in a list of the world’s best CEOs for 2023; meanwhile, Apple Inc. ranked No. 4 in the CEOWORLD magazine’s ranking of the most influential companies in the world. - Jim Fitterling
Company: Dow Inc.
Jim Fitterling was recently ranked No. 90 in a list of the world’s best CEOs for 2023; meanwhile, Dow Inc. ranked No. 80 in the CEOWORLD magazine’s ranking of the most influential companies in the world. - Jeffrey Gennette
Company: Macy’s, Inc.
Jeffrey Gennette was recently ranked No. 201 in a list of the world’s best CEOs for 2023; meanwhile, Macy’s, Inc. ranked No. 202 in the CEOWORLD magazine’s ranking of the most influential companies in the world. - Beth Ford
Company: Land O’Lakes
Beth Ford was recently ranked No. 202 in a list of the world’s best CEOs for 2023; meanwhile, Land O’Lakes ranked No. 201 in the CEOWORLD magazine’s ranking of the most influential companies in the world. - Anne Richards
Company: Fidelity International - Martine Rothblatt
Company: United Therapeutics
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