At Fortune, we’ve spent almost a century studying what separates the good leaders from the great ones; the ones who don’t just survive disruption, but shape it. The next wave of corporate chiefs is emerging from a radically different playbook. They’re products of an economy defined by technological acceleration, and operate with fluency across disciplines that didn’t even exist in the CEO vocabulary a decade ago: data science, AI governance, cybersecurity, social trust, geopolitical volatility, and shifting expectations of what leadership should look like.
The CEO role has evolved into something closer to orchestration than command and control. Modern chiefs are asked to anticipate crises, manage global workforces, and make irreversible decisions under public scrutiny. The best ones lead with precision and restraint: knowing when to move fast, when to listen, and when to let the data inform—but not dictate—their instincts.
It’s within that reality that the 2025 Fortune Next to Lead list takes shape. Now in its second year, Next to Leadhighlights rising executives already demonstrating the range and judgment required to run complex, high-performing organizations. They may be five to ten years from the top job, but they’re already driving transformation—modernizing operations, integrating AI responsibly, and expanding what leadership can mean inside the Fortune 500.
Last year’s honorees reflected the expanding definition of executive leadership. Some were finance leaders driving growth through disciplined transformation, operators mastering complexity across global supply chains, and commercial strategists balancing brand, data, and distribution in real time. They were from different industries, united by a common thread: Each showed that modern leadership demands cross-functional fluency, sound judgment under pressure, and an understanding that the CEO role now carries moral and societal weight alongside managerial authority.
This year, Next to Lead will spotlight those operating with the same blend of focus and foresight, shaping the future of the C-suite from within.
Applications for the 2025 Fortune Next to Lead list are now open. Nominees must currently work at a Fortune 500 company and typically hold a senior title (e.g., director, MD, SVP, EVP, president, or C-suite) within five to ten years of assuming the top job. Letters of recommendation from CEOs are encouraged and may be featured (with permission) if selected.
The deadline to apply is Monday, Dec.1, 2025. For more information or to submit a nomination, apply here.
Ruth Umoh
[email protected]
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