In Numbers and Wisdom: The Most Powerful Women of 2018

Can you imagine a list where Oprah places last? I can – Fortune’s Most Powerful Women of 2018. Granted Oprah held the 51st position amongst the most powerful women in the world. Still, that goes to show for the caliber of the women listed. With part disbelief and part hesitance, I scrolled to the name at the top of the list – I wasn’t sure what it held, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready.

Marillyn Hewson it said. Chairman, President and CEO of the Pentagon’s top weapons supplier, responsible for boosting Lockheed Martin’s value to nearly $100 billion, and all-round badass.

In the year of #MeToo and the record-breaking 126 women due to serve the 116th Congress of the United States, seeing women now in control of just under $1 trillion dollars in market cap did not surprise me. However, I yearned for the wisdom behind the numbers. How did they get here? What do they have to say for it?

Ranked by their firm's revenue in 2017 and perceived dominance in 2018, here are both the numbers and the wisdom, from the women reaching new heights in an industry that continues to baffle and humble me - aerospace.

A 'pink' future on the horizon - more women in leadership, soaring in the Aerospace industry.

1. The Boeing Company - $ 93.39 bn

Leanne Caret President and CEO, Defense, Space & Security, and Executive Vice President Boeing. Ranked 23 on Most Powerful Women in 2018 by Fortune.

“...you never plan on it. Do a good job and treat customers well, do the right things for the right reasons. Prepare yourself but don’t spend all your time worrying about it, just do your job and you’ll be recognized for it.”

"Every woman leader today benefits from the efforts of so many people who came before us. Our responsibility is to open more doors for the women who will come after us."

2. Airbus $75.27bn

Grazia Vittadini, CTO of Airbus

“If she can see it she can be it”

3. United Technologies Corporation $59.83bn

Elizabeth Amato, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

“Seek out and accept challenging roles and develop a portfolio of accomplishments”

“Remember that life exists well beyond work, and prioritize accordingly.”

4. Lockheed Martin Corporation $49.97bn

Marillyn Hewson Chairman, President, and CEO, Lockheed Martin. Ranked 1 on Most Powerful Women in 2018 by Fortune.

“Nothing says power like rockets and ramparts”

5. General Dynamics Corporation $30.97bn

Phebe N. Novakovic Chairman and CEO, General Dynamics

In regards to her having "more work to do” at General Dynamics -

"I’m not ready to pack up my dolls and dishes yet, not for a long time.”