Top 16 Women CTOs to Follow for Inspiration in 2026
The women CTOs on this list are shaping how technology gets built, led, and scaled. If you're looking for leadership voices that go beyond theory, these are the ones worth following. Their career paths, decisions, and hard-won insights offer real perspective—whether you're navigating your own leadership growth or just want to stay sharp in a fast-moving field.
Top 16 Women CTOs
Below are the profiles of the top women CTOs, covering who they are and the impact they've made in this space.
Charity Majors
Charity Majors is co-founder and CTO of Honeycomb and co-author of two O’Reilly books on observability and reliability. She has experience in distributed systems at Parse, Facebook, and Linden Lab.
Majors helped…
Charity Majors is co-founder and CTO of Honeycomb and co-author of two O’Reilly books on observability and reliability. She has experience in distributed systems at Parse, Facebook, and Linden Lab.
Majors helped shape modern observability, which helps teams understand complex software systems. Her work covers software reliability, production engineering, AI-driven development, and ways for engineers to see how their code performs in real-world conditions.
Fidelma Russo
Fidelma Russo is HPE’s EVP, President and GM of Hybrid Cloud, and CTO. She leads its hybrid cloud portfolio and long-term technology agenda after senior roles at VMware, Iron Mountain, and EMC.
…
Fidelma Russo is HPE’s EVP, President and GM of Hybrid Cloud, and CTO. She leads its hybrid cloud portfolio and long-term technology agenda after senior roles at VMware, Iron Mountain, and EMC.
Russo leads strategy spanning GreenLake, storage, private cloud, infrastructure software, HPE Labs, and the Office of the CTO. Her three decades across cloud, hardware, software, networking, analytics, and AI give her a wide-angle view of enterprise technology leadership.
Raji Arasu
Raji Arasu is Autodesk’s EVP and CTO, leading technology strategy, research, data, AI, security, and platform efforts. She previously has senior engineering leadership roles at Intuit, StubHub, and eBay.
Arasu leads research…
Raji Arasu is Autodesk’s EVP and CTO, leading technology strategy, research, data, AI, security, and platform efforts. She previously has senior engineering leadership roles at Intuit, StubHub, and eBay.
Arasu leads research in emerging technology and oversees key areas such as AI, graphics, data, APIs, security, and data ethics. Her work supports Autodesk’s industry cloud platforms and the tools used by designers and developers.
Elizabeth Stone
Elizabeth Stone is Netflix’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, leading product and technology. She previously had data and insights roles at Netflix and leadership positions at Nuna and Lyft.
Promoted from CTO…
Elizabeth Stone is Netflix’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, leading product and technology. She previously had data and insights roles at Netflix and leadership positions at Nuna and Lyft.
Promoted from CTO to lead both product and technology in 2026, Stone has experience in economics, finance, data science, operations, and engineering. This broad background now shapes how she leads Netflix’s product and technology teams.
Julie Eng
Julie Eng is Coherent’s EVP of Optical Components and CTO. She leads technology strategy at the global photonics company and has extensive experience with optoelectronic devices and technical teams.
Her work covers…
Julie Eng is Coherent’s EVP of Optical Components and CTO. She leads technology strategy at the global photonics company and has extensive experience with optoelectronic devices and technical teams.
Her work covers advanced optical technologies for communications and data centers, including integrated optical systems for next-generation computing.
Fiona Tan
Fiona Tan is Wayfair’s CTO, leading its global technology organization and e-commerce platform. She previously held senior technology roles at Walmart, Ariba, and TIBCO across retail, commerce, and engineering.
Tan leads the…
Fiona Tan is Wayfair’s CTO, leading its global technology organization and e-commerce platform. She previously held senior technology roles at Walmart, Ariba, and TIBCO across retail, commerce, and engineering.
Tan leads the technology behind Wayfair’s shopping platform and has extensive experience solving complex retail and engineering challenges. At Walmart, she worked on technology for customers, employees, merchants, mobile apps, stores, and e-commerce.
Wei Cai
Wei Cai is the CTO of Technip Energies, with more than 18 years of experience in energy technology and research. She leads the company’s technology strategy, innovation, and energy transition efforts.
Her…
Wei Cai is the CTO of Technip Energies, with more than 18 years of experience in energy technology and research. She leads the company’s technology strategy, innovation, and energy transition efforts.
Her work focuses on turning research and engineering ideas into practical solutions for commercial energy projects. She also helps strengthen the company’s technology and develop technical talent.
Yao Morin
Yao Morin is JLL’s Chief Technology Officer, leading technology strategy with a background in data science, engineering, and transformation at JLL Technologies, StubHub, Intuit, and eBay.
Morin has helped turn data into…
Yao Morin is JLL’s Chief Technology Officer, leading technology strategy with a background in data science, engineering, and transformation at JLL Technologies, StubHub, Intuit, and eBay.
Morin has helped turn data into a valuable business asset, creating the foundation for AI and technology products at JLL. Her work covers AI agents, data-driven real estate technology, and the changes needed to use AI across a global company.
Franziska “Fran” Bell
Franziska “Fran” Bell is EVP and CTO of The Home Depot, leading technology, product, data, AI, and user experience after executive roles at Ford, BP, Uber, and Toyota in digital transformation.
Bell…
Franziska “Fran” Bell is EVP and CTO of The Home Depot, leading technology, product, data, AI, and user experience after executive roles at Ford, BP, Uber, and Toyota in digital transformation.
Bell joined The Home Depot’s executive team in 2026 with responsibility for aligning technology, product management, data, AI, and user experience. Her background in AI modernization and digital technology gives her a central role in bringing machine learning and agentic AI into a large-scale retail environment.
Melody Hildebrandt
Melody Hildebrandt is Chief Technology Officer at Fox Corporation, where her work includes software engineering, product management, information security, AI, and technology for media experiences.
Hildebrandt works across media, technology, security, and…
Melody Hildebrandt is Chief Technology Officer at Fox Corporation, where her work includes software engineering, product management, information security, AI, and technology for media experiences.
Hildebrandt works across media, technology, security, and product development. She explores how AI can improve personalization and audience experiences, drawing on her background in engineering, product development, and information security.
Rathi Murthy
Rathi Murthy is Chief Technology Officer at Varo Bank. She previously held technology leadership roles from Expedia, Verizon, and American Express.
Murthy leads work across modern banking systems, digital experiences, and responsible…
Rathi Murthy is Chief Technology Officer at Varo Bank. She previously held technology leadership roles from Expedia, Verizon, and American Express.
Murthy leads work across modern banking systems, digital experiences, and responsible AI. At Varo, she uses technology to improve customer value and financial inclusion while helping the bank expand its in-house technology platform.
Yuling Ma
Yuling Ma is Chief Technology Officer at Bitdeer Technologies Group, following CTO leadership at FreeWheel and senior engineering and data-platform roles at JD.com and MicroStrategy in global teams.
Ma leads Bitdeer’s technology…
Yuling Ma is Chief Technology Officer at Bitdeer Technologies Group, following CTO leadership at FreeWheel and senior engineering and data-platform roles at JD.com and MicroStrategy in global teams.
Ma leads Bitdeer’s technology strategy and the development of its software products and services. Her background includes global engineering, data platforms, and advertising technology, with previous leadership roles at FreeWheel and MicroStrategy.
Allegra Driscoll
Allegra Driscoll is EVP and CTO of Bread Financial, bringing more than 20 years of financial-services technology experience, including senior leadership at American Express in technology.
Driscoll leads technology transformation, enterprise AI…
Allegra Driscoll is EVP and CTO of Bread Financial, bringing more than 20 years of financial-services technology experience, including senior leadership at American Express in technology.
Driscoll leads technology transformation, enterprise AI strategy, engineering excellence, cybersecurity, and risk management. Her work at Bread Financial includes reshaping the technology operating model to improve product delivery, system reliability, innovation, and the business value of technology investment.
Jill Luber
Jill Luber is Chief Technology Officer at Elsevier, following a long RELX career spanning LexisNexis data development, technology architecture, analytics products, engineering, and security.
Luber has experience building large-scale data and analytics…
Jill Luber is Chief Technology Officer at Elsevier, following a long RELX career spanning LexisNexis data development, technology architecture, analytics products, engineering, and security.
Luber has experience building large-scale data and analytics systems. At Elsevier, she focuses on using AI to find connections across scientific research while ensuring human oversight, research integrity, and protection against bias and false information.
Yasmine Rodriguez Wakim
Yasmine Rodriguez Wakim is CTO of Asure Software, leading technology strategy, platform development, modernization, and AI. She previously held product and development leadership at OneSource Virtual and ADP.
Wakim combines HR technology…
Yasmine Rodriguez Wakim is CTO of Asure Software, leading technology strategy, platform development, modernization, and AI. She previously held product and development leadership at OneSource Virtual and ADP.
Wakim combines HR technology expertise with more than 20 years of experience in payroll tax and compliance. At Asure, she leads platform upgrades and AI development, focusing on accuracy, growth, security, and regulatory requirements.
Elaine Zhou
Elaine Zhou is Co-CEO of SageCXO and a technology and product advisor. She has more than two decades of engineering leadership experience, including serving as CTO of Change.org and Vidado.ai.
Zhou works…
Elaine Zhou is Co-CEO of SageCXO and a technology and product advisor. She has more than two decades of engineering leadership experience, including serving as CTO of Change.org and Vidado.ai.
Zhou works with founders and executives on technology, product, and business strategy, drawing on leadership across AI, software development, and engineering organizations. Her experience as a repeat CTO and advisor gives her a broad perspective on scaling technology teams and applying AI responsibly.
Selection Methodology
I selected the leaders on this list based on their relevance, demonstrated expertise and impact, professional credibility, and ongoing contributions to the field.
Continue Reading for Free
Create a free account to finish this article, plus get ongoing access to timely insights and practical resources.
Have an account? Log In
I look for evidence such as leading meaningful initiatives or delivering notable results within their organizations, developing influential ideas or practices, publishing research or educational resources, speaking or teaching, and other contributions that demonstrate impact within their work or the broader field.
What’s Next?
Boost your SaaS growth and leadership skills. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest insights from CTOs and aspiring tech leaders. We'll help you scale smarter and lead stronger with guides, resources, and strategies from top experts!
