By Missy Schwartz

Every year in the media business is tumultuous — that’s just the way it goes in an industry that is forever changing. But 2025 felt even more dramatic as our democracy faced threats unprecedented in most of our lifetimes. That is as terrifying as it sounds. And it makes celebrating women who are pushing the culture forward all the more critical.

For our sixth annual Changemakers package, in conjunction with the Power Women Summit, we’ve selected 51 women who stood out in 2025 for their creativity, leadership and defense of rights we no longer take for granted, like reproductive health and free speech. This year’s list includes powerhouse execs, singular performers, visionary filmmakers and producers, fearless journalists and innovative creators who have tapped into the future of entertainment. All are daring. All hold our imaginations. And all, in some way or another, give us hope for what comes next.