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8 powerful women who are at the top of their game right now

That you probably haven’t heard of.

TODAY, KATHARINE VINER was appointed editor-in-chief of The Guardian.

Viner, who previously served as deputy editor of The Guardian and editor-in-chief of Guardian US, becomes the first female editor of the newspaper in its 194-year history.

The appointment has generated much excitement.

With that in mind, we decided to take a look at eight other women at the top of their games right now.

1. Carolyn McCall, CEO of Easyjet

France Easy Jet Lionel Cironneau Lionel Cironneau

Frequently cited as one of the most powerful women in Great Britain, Carolyn McCall was appointed CEO of  easyJet in 2010 and has been, ahem, flying high ever since. (So sorry.)

Want to get a feel for how deadly she is? Listen to her episode of Desert Island Discs.

2. Janet Yellen, head of the Federal Reserve

Yellen AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Janet Yellen is basically one of the most powerful people in the world. The Brooklyn-born economist is the Chair of the Federal Reserve, the first to hold the position.

She also has a beautiful accent.

3. Jennifer Lee, director of Frozen

BAFTA Film Awards 2014 - After Party - London Empics Entertainment Empics Entertainment

How many women have directed a film that has earned over $1 billion? 1.

Meet Jennifer Lee.

Lee, who previously co-wrote Wreck-It Ralph, co-directed and wrote Frozen and is on board to direct Frozen 2. She also holds the distinction of being the first female director of any Walt Disney film.

Champ.

4. Megan Ellison, founder of Annapurna Pictures

86th Oscars Nominees Luncheon - Inside AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

We all have producing wunderkind Megan Ellison to thank for some of the best films of recent years – Her, Foxcatcher, American Hustle, Zero Dark Thirty, The Master, True Grit.

The slightly reclusive 28-year-old formed Annapurna Pictures in 2011 and has quickly ascended the Hollywood ranks to become one of the most powerful producers in the industry.

Not bad going for 28, eh?

5. Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo

CORRECTION Pepsi-Executive Departures AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Who is Indra Nooyi? Oh, just the head of the second-largest food and beverage company in the world and responsible for helping bring Pepsi/Doritos/7Up/Walkers to your belly.

No biggy.

6. Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox

Obama Exports AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

When she was appointed to the head of Xerox, which earned $26 billion in 2014, Burns became the first African-American female CEO to head a Fortune 500 company.

She’s also mates with Obama and serves on the President’s Exports Council.

7. Caroline Downey, MCD/manager of Hozier

MOLL Launch. Caroline Dow Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

It’s not every day that you discover a star, but that’s exactly what MCD’s Caroline Downey did when she spotted Hozier performing in her daughter’s school.

Since then, she has nurtured the Bray native and helped him become of the world’s biggest acts.

Behind every man, etc.

8. Jane Gogan, RTÉ Head of Drama

.  Opening night of Krapp's Last Tape. Eamon Dunphy and his wife Jane Gogan pictured at the Gate Theatre for the opening night of Krapp's Last Tape by Samuel Beckett starring Michael Gambon. The play has a limited run, until May 15th Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

RTÉ wasn’t actually renowned for its dramas before, but then Love/Hate came along and changed all that.

We have RTÉ Head of Drama Jane Gogan to thank for helping shepherd it from early gestation to the monster hit it went on to become.

Thanks Jane!

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Amy O'Connor
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