Women should run the world. I believe the world would simply be better if there were more female CEOs, board members, founders, and yes, presidents.

In this “Trailblazing Women” issue — on stands now and available by subscription —  we are privileged to feature extraordinary women whose contributions across technology, health care, social justice, and the arts aren’t just breaking barriers — they’re rewriting the rulebook. They are also living proof that what happens in Seattle matters to the rest of the world.

Melinda French Gates is a name that needs no introduction. As the former co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and now leading Pivotal Ventures, Melinda has “all the receipts” in the fight for global health and equity. But what sometimes goes unspoken is how her long personal commitment to women’s well-being and equity has become a timely and powerful counterforce to the dynamics setting us back. She is one of the superheroes of our region reshaping all of our futures.

I had the honor of being Melinda’s co-worker in the halcyon days of Microsoft’s consumer division under Patty Stonesifer. As we’re just past the 50th anniversary milestone of Microsoft, I think we can safely proclaim Melinda as one of our proudest alums. We are honored to showcase exclusively in this magazine, in her own words, how she learned through deeply humbling personal experience that it’s essential in life to leave room for your plans to change. It can even make you fiercer.

We also shine the spotlight on Dr. Joan Sung, a pioneering physician-scientist who has dedicated her career to advancing precision medicine, particularly in the realm of cancer treatment. Her brilliance, coupled with her unyielding commitment to breaking barriers for Asian American women, serves as a reminder that innovation is not just about the science itself — it’s also about beating down barriers that deny some a seat at the table.

Then there is Seattle Foundation CEO Alesha Washington, who has successfully navigated politics and power dynamics in her three short years since arriving in Seattle from Cleveland. Leading the oldest philanthropic organization in Seattle, one born from the city’s original cohort of male business leaders, Washington shatters the glass ceiling with relentless determination. By centering “joyful leadership” as a management philosophy, Alesha is teaching us all how to recognize the inherent value of women, particularly women of color, who are doing critical work to ensure we have a thriving community that changes economic inequality.

As you read these stories, I hope you keep something in mind: To create the world you want to live in, you must be the hero you wish to see. These incredible women remind us that change is absolutely possible. I want to see a world run by women, and within our May/June 2025 issue, I am convinced that we are already there. While the reality is that it may take longer, face greater resistance, or even take occasional steps backward, architecting a future for all of us that is more inclusive and compassionate is happening right here in Seattle. It’s a privilege to share their stories with you.