Career progression is not confined to youthful ambitions; many professionals continue to achieve significant milestones well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. The recent Forbes 50 Over 50 list exemplifies this trend by highlighting remarkable leaders and entrepreneurs who have reached impressive heights later in their careers.
This year’s list includes notable Black women who have made significant contributions to their fields, showcasing that excellence knows no age limit. Here are four women who have carved out success and recognition on this prestigious list.
Alicia Boler Davis
Since taking the helm as CEO of Alto Pharmacy, LLC in 2022, Alicia Boler Davis has built a distinguished legacy in the corporate world. Boler Davis made history as the first Black woman to become a plant manager at General Motors (GM) and later ascended to the position of executive vice president for global manufacturing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a crucial role at Amazon as the senior executive leading global fulfillment. Notably, she was the first Black woman to join Amazon’s exclusive “S-Team” leadership circle. Boler Davis’s nearly 25-year tenure at GM culminated in her appointment as Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Labor Relations in 2016.
Yvonne Greenstreet
Yvonne Greenstreet’s impressive career spans over 30 years, starting in London as an OB-GYN. Her journey included an 18-year tenure at GlaxoSmithKline plc where she served as Senior Vice President and Chief of Strategy for Research and Development. From 2011 to 2013, she held the position of Senior Vice President and Head of Medicines Development at Pfizer, contributing to a rapidly expanding division worth $16 billion. In 2016, Greenstreet became Chief Operating Officer at Alnylam, subsequently rising to the roles of President and COO in 2020, and then joined the ranks of Directors and Chief Executive Officer at the end of 2021. To date, she has secured FDA approval for six medicines and is working on developing 25 additional treatments for conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to diabetes.
Valerie Montgomery Rice
In July 2014, Valerie Montgomery Rice made history as the sixth president of the Morehouse School of Medicine, becoming the first woman to lead the institution. Her extensive experience includes serving in various faculty positions and leadership roles, particularly as the founding director of the Center for Women’s Health Research at Meharry Medical College. Montgomery Rice’s accolades are numerous, including being inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and receiving the Dean Griffin Community Service Award from the Georgia Institute of Technology, along with several other prestigious honors.
Robin Washington
Robin Washington serves as the President and Chief Operating Financial Officer at Salesforce, managing a vast portfolio that encompasses Business Strategy and Operations, Global Finance, and Marketing, among other areas. With a career that spans 25 years, Washington has held significant roles at companies such as Gilead Sciences and Hyperion Solutions. She has also been a board member of Alphabet since 2003, further extending her influence across the tech landscape.
These outstanding women exemplify the potential for career growth and leadership irrespective of age, breaking barriers and setting new standards in their respective fields.
