Fifteen women with ties to the George Washington University were named to Washingtonian magazine's 2025 list of the Most Powerful Women in Washington. The annual list celebrates influential leaders across business, education, law, nonprofits, media and government.

According to the list's authors, Washingtonian "read, researched and reached out to people in the know across the D.C. area, from business to media to politics, and asked for names of women in their particular field of expertise or beyond whom they considered powerful. Who is making things happen and having an impact? Who gets her calls (or texts or emails) returned immediately? Who is leading the way in her field? Who has senators on speed dial-and vice versa?"

The 250 women featured hold significant leadership roles, demonstrate influence in their fields and have made a measurable impact on the D.C. community. This year's honorees range from policymakers to university presidents, including GW President Ellen M. Granberg. The list also includes 14 GW alumnae.

Here are the women with GW ties who made this year's list:

GW Leadership

Ellen Granberg President, George Washington University

Alumnae

Dana Bash, B.A. '93, Hon. Doctor of Public Service '22
Anchor & Chief Political Correspondent, CNN

Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud, B.A. '99
Saudi Ambassador to the United States

Rachel Bovard, M.P.S. '12
Vice President, Programs, Conservative Partnership Institute

Theresa M. Fariello, B.A. '85
Executive Vice President, Government Affairs and Global Public Policy, United Airlines
Current GW LAG Council Member

Jeanelle Johnson, B.A. '01
Managing Partner, PwC Washington, D.C.

Elizabeth MacDonough, B.A. '88
Senate Parliamentarian

Beverly Perry, B.A. '76
Senior Adviser to the Mayor of Washington, D.C.

Linda Rabbitt, M.A. '74
Entrepreneur; Former GW Trustee

Deborah Ratner Salzberg, B.A. '75
Real Estate Partner

Karen Schaufeld, J.D.'87
Philanthropist

Jennifer Walton, M.P.H '04
Senior Vice President, US Policy and Government Relations, Pfizer