Women of African descent excelling in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields and who are 50 years old or more have been recognized in the Forbes 50 Over 50 2025 list.
In the world of business and medicine, two remarkable women, Alicia Boler Davis and Yvonne Greenstreet, have made history by being included on Forbes' annual 50 Over 50 list. This prestigious list showcases women who have made significant impacts in their respective fields, often in the later stages of their careers.
Alicia Boler Davis, an engineer, made history as the first Black woman to serve as a plant manager at General Motors. Her impressive career at the automaker saw her rise to the position of executive vice president for global manufacturing. In 2022, Boler Davis took on a new challenge as the CEO of Alto, a digital pharmacy that offers nationwide mail delivery, courier, and pickup services in 12 metropolitan areas. Recently, Alto was acquired by Paulus Holdings in a deal that valued the pharmaceutical company between $1 billion - $1.5 billion.
Boler Davis' journey didn't stop there. She also joined Amazon, where she was a senior executive overseeing global fulfillment during the COVID-19 pandemic and was part of the exclusive "S-Team" leadership circle.
Yvonne Greenstreet, on the other hand, began her 30-year career as an OB-GYN in London. She spent 18 years at GlaxoSmithKline, rising to Senior Vice President and Chief of Strategy for Research and Development. Greenstreet then moved to Pfizer, where she led Medicines Development as Senior Vice President from 2011 to 2013. In 2016, she joined Alnylam as COO, became President and COO in 2020, and took the helm as CEO and Director in 2021. Currently, Greenstreet is advancing 25 medicines for conditions such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, hypertension, and Huntington's disease.
Greenstreet's impressive tenure at Pfizer saw her earn FDA approval for six medicines. Her work at Alnylam has been equally impactful, with her leadership contributing to the development of innovative treatments.
The careers of Boler Davis and Greenstreet are a testament to their resilience, dedication, and groundbreaking achievements. They are not only leading the way in their respective fields but are also using their success to make a difference. Both women are active in funding innovative startups and leveraging their wealth for social impact.
Montgomery Rice, another trailblazer, made history by becoming the first female leader of the historically Black Morehouse School of Medicine in 2014. Rice has earned numerous honours, such as the Horatio Alger Award, the Dean Griffin Community Service Award from the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Girls Inc. Smart Award, and the National Medical Association's OB/GYN 2019 Legend of the Section Award.
Robin Washington, the President and Chief Operating Officer at Salesforce, is another notable figure. With 25 years of experience, Washington has held roles at companies like Gilead Sciences, Hyperion Solutions, and PeopleSoft. She currently oversees key areas including business strategy, global finance, employee success, and marketing.
The Forbes 50 Over 50 list is a yearly compilation of women making remarkable achievements later in their careers, often featuring individuals from various fields such as entrepreneurship, arts, and wealth-building. While information about the 2024 list was not available at the time of this writing, the list typically highlights women from diverse backgrounds who have made significant impacts in their industries. For the 2025 list, Racquel Oden, the chair of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Board of Directors and the HSBC U.S. Head of International Wealth, Asset Management & Global Private Banking, was recognised for her leadership and contributions in the investment category.
References: [1] Forbes. (2021). Racquel Oden. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/profile/racquel-oden/ [2] Forbes. (n.d.). Forbes 50 Over 50. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/50-over-50/ [3] Forbes. (2021). Yvonne Greenstreet. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/profile/yvonne-greenstreet/ [4] Forbes. (2021). Alicia Boler Davis. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/profile/alicia-boler-davis/
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