Fortune's 2026 Most Powerful Women Summit to Explore AI, Leadership, and Corporate Transformation
Event summary
- Fortune's 2026 Most Powerful Women Summit will take place October 12-14 in Santa Barbara, featuring leaders from Alphabet, Chevron, Citi, and other major corporations.
- Key themes include AI's impact on business, the future of work, and leadership transformation in a volatile global environment.
- Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, will open the summit with a discussion on AI and corporate strategy.
- The summit will also explore women's sports, executive wealth management, and the evolving role of corporate directors.
- Fortune Daily will film on-site interviews with speakers and attendees, to be aired on the Fortune Daily YouTube channel.
The big picture
Fortune's 2026 Most Powerful Women Summit comes at a critical juncture for corporate leadership, as AI reshapes industries and traditional power structures evolve. The event underscores the growing influence of women in executive roles, particularly in technology and finance, where strategic decisions around AI and capital allocation will define the next era of business. The summit also highlights the intersection of corporate leadership with broader societal issues, including women's sports and philanthropy, reflecting a shift towards more holistic definitions of power and influence.
What we're watching
- AI Integration
- How companies like Chevron, ServiceNow, and Nasdaq will balance AI-related capital expenditures with measurable returns.
- Leadership Pipelines
- Whether initiatives to develop high-potential women leaders will translate into tangible board-level representation.
- Corporate Transformation
- The pace at which CEOs like Jane Fraser of Citi and Latriece Watkins of Sam's Club can implement structural changes amid economic uncertainty.
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