Wonder Women

Forbes' list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women is here, and ranking among influential females like Hillary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey are consumer packaged goods leaders making a difference in the industry.

PepsiCo Chief Executive Indra Nooyi tops the list at number four. Leading the company since 2006, the Yale University graduate directs the largest food and beverage business in the country, with almost $60 billion in annual revenues and approximately 300,000 staff worldwide. Nooyi's work is cut out for her the coming year; Pepsi slipped into third place behind both Coke and Diet Coke in 2010 market share within the soft drink category.

Coming in at number ten, Irene Rosenfeld, CEO of Kraft Foods, is now charged with successfully dividing the company into a global snacks business with an estimated $32 billion in revenues, and a North American grocery business with an estimated $16 billion in revenues. The world's second largest food maker employs 127,000 employees in 170 countries.

Earlier this month, Denise Morrison became the twelfth CEO in the Campbell Soup Company's 142-year history, earning her the number 80 spot on Forbes' list. With more than 35 years of CPG experience and eight years at Campbell's, Morrison has what it takes to turn around lagging sales; She plans to put salt back in to 31 previously reduced-sodium soups in the company's portfolio.

Within retail organizations, two women stood out as top leaders in the field: Jin Sook Chang, Co-Founder and Chief Merchandising Officer at Forever 21, and Carol Meyrowitz, CEO of TJX Companies, landed on the list at numbers 39 and 73, respectively.

Who are your choices for top female business executives? Take a look at other awards earned by top CPG and retail companies and leaders and leave your thoughts!

Women Rule

Fortune Magazine announced its annual ranking of America's leading businesswomen last month, and leaders at several food and beverage consumer packaged goods companies and retail corporations took top honors, landing on the elite 2010 list.

Coming in at number one again this year, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi placed at the top of the list. Nooyi is credited for completing the purchase of the company's two largest bottlers and bringing revenues to more than $60 billion. This marks the fifth time she has come in at the top of the list.

Irene Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO at Kraft Foods, came in second on the list, earning the same spot as 2009. In the past year, the company acquired candy maker Cadbury, giving Kraft $48 billion in revenue.

In regards to retail, Carol Meyrowitz, President and CEO of The TJX Companies entered the list at number 17. Under Meyrowitz's leadership, company profits increased 38 percent, and revenue surpassed $20 billion. Wal-Mart Executive Vice President, Global People Division, Susan Chambers and Rosaline Brewer, President, Wal-Mart South, both made the list as well, coming in at numbers 23 and 48, respectively. Shari Ballard, Best Buy's President for the Americas, helped to round out the list at number 48.

Internationally, Dominique Reiniche, President, Europe Group, for The Coca-Cola Company entered the list at number 22. President of the Asia Pacific Region for PepsiCo, Umran Beba, followed at number 23.

The Fortune report also outlined the highest-paid women in business. Kraft's Rosenfeld made that list as well, coming in at number four, with a total compensation package of $22.1 million, while TJX Companies' Meyrowitz landed at number nine, earning $14.8 million, and PepsiCo CEO Nooyi ending the list at number 10 with total compensation of $14.2 million.

2010 marked a year of change for some women, who due to personal and career moves, exited this year's list. Last year's tenth place businesswoman, Chairman and CEO of Sara Lee, Brenda Barnes, resigned for medical reasons. Claire Babrowski, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Toys "R" Us, and number 36 on last year's list, was terminated by the company.

As an aspiring leader in this field, I am encouraged and inspired by the stories of these CPG and retail executives. Read the entire list of Fortune's 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, and tell me, which of the women on the list do you admire most?