10 Key Women's Leadership Appointments in USA in September 2026

Explore 10 key women’s leadership appointments in the U.S. in September 2026, spotlighting influential women executives across technology, healthcare, finance, human resources, law, aviation, education, and operations. Discover how these women business leaders and senior executives are shaping corporate strategy, innovation, talent development, organizational transformation, and business growth across Corporate America.

Influential leadership today is no longer defined by the title on the door, but by the decisions made around the roundtable. Therefore, the global corporate landscape continue to evolve creating more inclusive workplaces, providing room for women’s voices to become central to occupy influential roles.

This September, the US corporate landscape saw several new faces taking up critical leadership roles, thriving at the center of business, politics, education, technology, and healthcare. These corporate leadership appointments demonstrate how women capitalize upon their expertise and experience into strategic moves, managing different priorities and even influencing decisions that go beyond the organizations that they are in charge of.

Despite the existence of a number of challenges that women face in the corporate environment, women corporate leaders continue to rise up the ranks in the American business landscape. By developing in-depth knowledge and up-graded skills, women professionals are slowly by surely gaining ground in higher positions within influential organizations. Their progress is a reflection of not only individual resilience but also a broader shift in corporate leadership, where women are increasingly contributing to business strategy, innovation, talent development and organizational growth.

September 2026 brought cross-sector expertise through strategic leadership appointments with women executives leading domains in corporate strategy, talent management, technology, and operations in corporate America.

Global Woman Leader magazine chronicles ten executive appointments highlighting the increasing participation of women at senior levels.

SFO Appoints Eva Cheong as 1st Female Chief Operating Officer

Eva Cheong has been named as Chief Operating Officer at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), making her the first woman to serve the role in the airport’s history. In her new role, she will be in charge of various departments at SFO, such as facilities, safety & security, guest services, SFO Museum, AirTrain, and operations airside/landside. Eva will be in charge of the Airport Integrated Operations Center and the 911 Dispatch Center as well.

She joined SFO in 2012, having worked in various operational leadership roles at Delta Air Lines. Eva's appointment marks another achievement in her career in airport operations, which has seen her move on to leadership roles in both the airline and airport sectors. Prior to joining SFO, she worked for several years with Delta Airlines in operational leadership positions. She served as Field Director for Delta's California Region, and was in charge of operations at seven airports, including the three airports in the Bay Area.

Nyasha Foy Makes History as 1st Black Woman IP Law Chair

Nyasha Foy takes on a landmark leadership role as chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section, becoming the first Black woman to lead the section. She now becomes the section’s first Black woman chair. In her new role, Nyasha aims to strengthen the organization while creating opportunities for the next generation.

During her tenure, Nyasha will focus on strengthening and supporting the development of future legal leaders, particularly young lawyers and law students. The appointment also coincides with an all-women slate of section officers, which is believed to be the first in the section’s 35-year history. She first joined the organization in 2009 as a first-year law student and section fellow and gradually advanced through several leadership positions.