Forbes presents for the first time the List of 30 Influential Women of the Canary Islands, a selection that highlights the leadership, careers, and impact of leading women in key sectors for the economic, social, and cultural development of the archipelago.
The 30 women have been invited to a grand recognition gala organized by ForbesWomen next Wednesday, February 4, at the Castillo de San José, Lanzarote, which will be attended by institutional representatives and leaders from the business, social, and cultural spheres of the islands.
The day after the meeting, the Forbes Canary Islands Economic Summit will be held at Jameos del Agua, a space for high-level reflection and conversation on the economic strengths and opportunities of the archipelago. This double event has been promoted by the Centers of Art, Culture and Tourism of the Cabildo de Lanzarote.
A tour of the islands' female talent
In the political sphere, the list recognizes women with a prominent role in public administration and institutional representation, including Carolina Darias, mayor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and former minister of the Government of Spain; Astrid Pérez Batista, president of the Parliament of the Canary Islands; and Nieves Lady Barreto, counselor of the Presidency, Public Administrations, Justice, and Security of the Government of the Canary Islands. These profiles represent the contribution and visibility of female leadership in the archipelago's main institutions.
The list also highlights women who contribute to the advancement of knowledge, health, and research, such as Antonia Varela Pérez, Isabel Marichal, Elba Bueno Cabrera, and Ascensión Robayna, profiles linked to the scientific, health, and academic fields.
Creative talent takes center stage in this first edition, with prominent figures from the cultural and artistic scene such as Toni Acosta, Antonia San Juan, Goya Toledo, Kira Miró, Sara Sálamo, Marta González de Vega, Ana Guerra, NIA, Valeria Castro, Yolanda Auyanet Hernández, Lourdes Santana, Icíar Pérez and Eloísa González, women who, through acting, music, communication, and performing arts, project the cultural identity of the Canary Islands.
Forbes also recognizes women who generate employment, brands, and innovation from business and entrepreneurship, such as Sandra García-Sanjuan, Carla Barber, Ariadne Artiles, Laura Galarza, Carmen García Pascual, Victoria López Fuentes, Laura Acosta, Alba Aula Méndez, Esther Cabrera and Alicia Martinón, profiles linked to the development of business projects, brand initiatives, and economic revitalization.
“With this list, we want to recognize women who not only stand out in their sectors but have also become benchmarks for leadership, inspiration, and social transformation. The Canary Islands are talent, capability, and projection, and these 30 women represent them extraordinarily,” Forbes states.
The presentation of this list is part of "a key week for strategic thinking in the archipelago, which will culminate in the celebration of the Forbes Canary Islands Economic Summit on February 5th at Jameos del Agua. Both events share the same focus: to highlight the leadership and talent of the Canary Islands as a driver of economic and social development".
