Karen Lynch

For the second year in a row, CVS Health chief Lynch ranks No. 1 on the Fortune Most Powerful Women list. Not only does Lynch have the distinction of running the highest-ranking Fortune 500 company ever to be led by a woman, the same holds true for the Global 500, where CVS ranked No. 10 this year. The company generated $292 billion in revenue in 2021, a 9% jump year over year, while profits climbed 10% to nearly $8 billion. Wall Street likes what it sees: Since Lynch took over in February 2021, CVS shares are up 42%, outpacing the S&P 500’s 2% rise. The company continues its efforts to become a one-stop shop for health care following its role in the COVID vaccination campaign; it administered over 59 million jabs and delivered more than 32 million tests in 2021 alone. Lynch is also focusing on customers’ mental health, implementing a program to reduce suicide attempts among its Aetna members (see our Change the World list for more).