Fortune Spotlights Asia's Top 10 Influential Women in 2026 Beyond Corporate Roles

Fortune has unveiled its highly anticipated list of the 10 most influential women to watch in Asia for 2026, deliberately expanding its scope beyond traditional corporate leadership to acknowledge groundbreaking achievements across a diverse spectrum of fields. This year's selection emphasizes women who are not only reaching the zenith of their respective domains in sports, culture, science, and public life but are also increasingly capturing global attention for their impact.

Among the prominent figures is South Korea's An Se-young, a 24-year-old badminton prodigy who has cemented her status as the world's preeminent female singles player. Already a celebrated Olympic champion, An Se-young has demonstrated unparalleled dominance, securing her second World Championship title in August and clinching a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games. Her victory at the Asian Games marked a historic first, making her the only woman to achieve back-to-back singles titles at the prestigious event. Her exceptional performance this year is further underscored by an astonishing record of only one loss in 57 matches. The image accompanying her profile captures her receiving the gold medal for women's singles badminton at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 29, 2026, a testament to her sporting prowess and South Korea's enduring strength in the sport.

In the realm of gastronomy, South Korean chef and culinary educator Cho Eun-hee is playing a pivotal role in elevating Korean cuisine from a transient pop-culture phenomenon to a globally recognized fine dining experience. As a distinguished holder of Korea’s Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 38 certification for Joseon royal court cuisine, she presides over the kitchen at Onjium, a highly acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul. Her influence was formally recognized in 2026 when she was named Asia’s Best Female Chef, and Onjium achieved the No. 14 spot on the esteemed Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Cho Eun-hee's work is instrumental in demonstrating the enduring appeal and sophistication of centuries-old royal court culinary traditions to a new generation of discerning diners, both within South Korea and internationally.

The list also features Alex Eala from the Philippines, a rising star in the world of professional tennis. Following her inclusion on a Fortune list last year, where she reached her maiden WTA Tour final and achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 54, Eala has continued her upward trajectory. This year, she made history by becoming the first Filipino athlete to win a WTA Tour title, triumphing in Washington, D.C. This significant victory represents a substantial advancement in her burgeoning tennis career, signaling her arrival as a formidable competitor on the international circuit. The collective profiles on this list aim to illuminate the diverse and impactful contributions of women across Asia, celebrating their ascent to prominence in their respective fields.