America’s Most Purpose-Driven Women CEOs Empowering Legacy-Led Leadership to Watch in 2025
Every so often, we meet a leader whose story is not only about personal success but also about sparking a movement that redefines how we see leadership, power, and purpose. This edition features Gladian Rivera, Founder and Chief Human Empowerment Officer of Obsidian Rising LLC, and her journey is one of profound transformation and courageous realignment.
On Cover
Gladian Rivera
Saphalta Services Global | Founder & Transformation Strategist
In the sterile corridors of federal buildings and correctional facilities, Gladian Rivera discovered something profound that would reshape her understanding of leadership forever. After two decades of public service spanning public health, corrections, and justice reform, she witnessed a pattern that disturbed her deeply: system-wide burnout wasn’t just affecting individuals; it was crushing the very souls of those meant to serve others.
Elektra B. Yao
Founder and Attorney at Yao Law Group PLLC
In the heart of Manhattan’s vibrant creative district, where artists from around the world converge to chase their American dreams, Elektra B. Yao has carved out something extraordinary. Her law firm isn’t just another practice handling immigration paperwork; it’s a bridge between worlds, connecting global creative talent with the legal foundation they need to thrive in the United States.
Dr. Carolyn M Rubin
CrossCultures | Dr. Gabi Kratochwil | Founder & Owner
In an era when healthcare faces unprecedented challenges, few leaders have mastered the delicate balance of operational excellence and human-centered care quite like Dr. Carolyn Rubin. As Owner of Carolyn M Rubin Consulting, Rubin has pioneered an approach to healthcare leadership that transcends traditional metrics—one that places empathy and servant leadership at the heart of organizational transformation. This month’s cover story explores how her 33-year journey in healthcare shaped a visionary who is revolutionizing how healthcare organizations approach leadership, and examines the philosophy behind her success in creating sustainable change.
Vimi Seeramsingh
Saphalta Services Global | Founder & Transformation Strategist
Not all innovations are disruptive. Some evolve gradually, through strategic thinking, mindful leadership, and a commitment to continuous growth. In the rapidly changing business landscape, transformation isn’t just about implementing new technologies or processes—it’s about reshaping mindsets, cultivating resilience, and fostering cultures where both people and organizations can thrive. But transformation doesn’t happen automatically; it nee
