TOP 100 WOMEN TOP 100 WOMEN

“ Knausenberger heads the technology department at a pivotal time [...] with the inclusion of the newly minted United States Space Force ”

President , COO

SpaceX

Brain surgery and rocket science are traditionally lauded as among the most complex occupations , so it ’ s fitting that Gwynne Shotwell , the daughter of a brain surgeon should end up running a space transportation company . Shotwell had originally planned to work in the automotive industry . Following a stint in Chrysler ’ s management training programme , she transferred to military space research and development , then went to build rockets at Microcosm . In 2002 , she joined SpaceX as the eleventh employee . As well as being the company ’ s president and COO , she is an advocate for diversity and the inclusion of women in business and technology .

Pictured

with Vice President Mike Pence at NASA ' s Kennedy Space Center

CIO

United States Air Force

In her role , Lauren Knausenberger ’ s remit is likely one of the largest on this list , with 20,000 cyber operations and support personnel coming under her purview . She heads the technology department at a pivotal time for the organisation , with the inclusion of the newly minted United States Space Force adding to existing responsibility for the United States Air Force . She rose to her current position last year , having previously served as Chief Transformation Officer , and possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in decision and information sciences . technologymagazine . com 27