WASHINGTON—Forbes has named White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 68, one of the world’s 100 most powerful women, in its latest ranking.
Wiles placed 66th for leading a successful presidential campaign that contributed to President Donald Trump’s 2024 victory. Following the election, Trump appointed her as chief of staff, making her the first woman to hold this position in U.S. history.
This year’s list highlights female leaders in innovation, global influence, and financial performance from 25 countries, according to the publication.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ranked first on Forbes’ list this year, followed by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde. Other notable figures included Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi (No. 3), Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (No. 4), Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum (No. 5), and American singers Taylor Swift (No. 21) and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (No. 33).
According to Forbes, the top 100 list was determined by four main metrics: money, media, impact, and spheres of influence. There were 17 newcomers in the list, including Wiles.
Trump has publicly praised his chief of staff for her work and influence.
“Most powerful woman in the world. She can take out a country, destroy, take out a country with one phone call,” Trump said of Wiles at a U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum in Washington last month.
“That’s power. I don’t know if I could do that, but she could. Thank you, Susie.”
In March 2021, Trump hired Wiles to serve as CEO of his Save America Leadership PAC. Then, along with Chris LaCivita, Wiles co-chaired Trump’s victorious 2024 presidential campaign. The architect of multiple successful Florida gubernatorial campaigns, Wiles also helped Trump win the Sunshine State in both 2016 and 2020.
In a recent interview, Wiles said Trump would hit the campaign trail hard ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Wiles told “The Mom View” that Republicans often face headwinds when Trump is “not on the ballot and not active.”
That’s why, she noted, “he’s going to campaign like it’s 2024 again.”
Throughout her career, Wiles has worked for prominent Republicans, including Ronald Reagan, Mitt Romney, Rick Scott, and Ron DeSantis.
Donald Trump greets his campaign manager Susie Wiles during an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Nov. 6, 2024. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Wiles began her political career as a staff assistant to Rep. Jack Kemp (R-N.Y.) from 1979 to 1980. She then served as deputy director of scheduling for President Reagan’s 1980 campaign and as special assistant to the president from 1981 to 1982.
Years later, Wiles started managing election campaigns for prominent GOP figures. She first led Rick Scott’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign in Florida, helping him narrowly defeat Democratic opponent Alex Sink.
When Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) ran for president in 2012, Wiles served as co-chair of his Florida advisory council. She also briefly managed the 2012 presidential campaign of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.
Wiles was also credited for rescuing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign when he was still a little-known congressman. She worked as his senior adviser from September 2018 until January 2019.
President Donald Trump sits with Susie Wiles as he attends a football game at Acrisure Stadium, in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)
Wiles’s father, Pat Summerall, was an NFL broadcaster and former placekicker for the Chicago Cardinals and New York Giants from 1952 to 1961. He called more Super Bowls than any other announcer and served as the signature voice of CBS Sports’ golf and tennis coverage for more than 20 years.
She was one of the broadcaster’s three children and grew up in New Jersey. Kemp, who gave Wiles her first job in politics, was one of Summerall’s teammates on the Giants.
Summerall battled alcoholism and later credited his daughter with pushing him to seek rehab and sobriety.
“I hadn’t been there much for my kids, but Susan’s letter made it clear that I’d hurt them even in my absence,” Summerall wrote in his memoir, noting that the two grew close later in life.
After Summerall died in 2013, Wiles described him as “an extraordinary man and a wonderful father.”
