Women account for less than 5 percent of the CEOs in S&P 500 companies, but the number is edging up. Fortune 500 corporations hit a record 20 when Marissa Mayer joined Yahoo! earlier this year.
The following list consists of 10 women CEOs who run the highest valued corporations, from the fields of technology to food and beverage to chemicals and energy services. Note that company values are determined by their market capitalization numbers.
This roster includes leaders who are remarkable not only for their accomplishments and titles. It includes several women who were firsts of their kind in different categories. Click ahead to see the biggest companies run by women, as determined by the current S&P 500.
By Colleen Kane
Posted 20 September 2012