Key Women in Leadership Appointments across the USA this Sep

The story of women’s leadership in America today is one of transformation, where progress is not measured solely by titles or numbers but by the new perspectives, strategies, and revolutionary ideas women bring to every sphere of national life.

Women are no longer the supporting cast in America’s corporate world story; they are the central characters shaping its future. Their influence extends far beyond corner offices and corporate boardrooms into the very heart of national policy and social transformation. Today, women are not simply taking a seat at the table; they are building new tables of their own, redefining what power and leadership mean in the 21st century.

This shift is more than symbolic. It represents a cultural and lifestyle transformation rooted in ambition, collaboration, and the courage to change. Fearless and forward-thinking, women leaders across politics, business, technology, and social impact are reimagining strategy, driving innovation, and reshaping the qualities we associate with leadership in the United States.

In the 119th Congress (2025), women hold 28% of the seats, a rise of more than 40% compared to a decade ago. In corporate America, 55 women now lead Fortune 500 companies, the highest figure ever, while women occupy roughly 30% of board seats in these organizations.

Amid this wave of progress, every month we recap the appointment of remarkable women in major leadership roles across America’s most prestigious companies. Let’s have a look at key women's leadership appointments that occurred in the month of September, marking a new chapter in the country’s evolving leadership story.

American Restaurant Chain Sweetgreen Appoints Jamie McConnell as New CFO

Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE: SG), a mission-driven restaurant brand, announced the upcoming retirement of Chief Financial Officer Mitch Reback and the appointment of Jamie McConnell as his successor, effective September 22, 2025. Bringing more than 20 years of financial leadership experience across the restaurant, retail, and e-commerce sectors, Jamie most recently served as Chief Accounting and Administrative Officer at Chipotle and has previously held senior finance roles at Aviation Capital Group, Rent-A-Center, Allergan, and Deloitte. A graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.S. in Accounting, Jamie will step into the role to help guide Sweetgreen’s next phase of growth and operational excellence.

Validity Welcomes Tech Leader Lidiane Jones to its Board to Drive Growth

Lidiane Jones, former CEO of Slack and Bumble, joins the Board of Validity Inc. With a proven track record in enterprise technology and a strong advocate for women in leadership, Lidiane will help guide the company as it expands its AI-driven customer data and marketing capabilities on a global scale. Her extensive experience also includes senior leadership roles at Salesforce, Sonos, and Microsoft, as well as board positions with Compass Working Capital and Astound Commerce.

IGDA Appoints Limpho Moeti as First Chair from the Global South

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) has appointed Limpho Moeti as its new chair, succeeding Zak Whaley, whose tenure ended last June, marking the first time the role has been held by a representative from the Global South. With nearly a decade of experience in the South African gaming industry, Limpho has worked at indie studio Freelives, co-founded and managed the Playtopia game event in Cape Town, joined Semblance developer Nyamakop, and most recently served as Business Development Manager at RocketRide Games. Alongside her professional roles, she has been an active contributor to the South African gaming community, organizing game jams and participating in events and panels.

Devon Pritchard named as the New President of Nintendo of America

Nintendo has announced that Doug Bowser, President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America, will retire on December 31, 2025, after more than four years in the role, and will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard, the company’s current Vice President of Revenue, Marketing, and Consumer Experience. Pritchard, who joined Nintendo in 2006 and has also served as Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and Publisher Relations, will become the first woman to lead Nintendo of America as President, while also joining its Board of Directors and serving as an Executive Officer for Nintendo Co., Ltd.