In 2021, Forbes and Know Your Value had the privilege of launching a first-of-its-kind list: the “50 Over 50,” a list dedicated to highlighting women over the age of 50 who are shattering age and gender norms across all sectors of the American economy and culture.
Produced in partnership with “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski and her Know Your Value initiative, the “50 Over 50” is a collection of women who reject the conventional wisdom that their best years are behind them. They’re leading a movement: We received more than 10,000 submissions for the initial list of 50 people.
What started as one list soon expanded into two, three and four, thanks to focused looks at women wielding their influence in politics and social entrepreneurship, STEM and the arts, finance and beyond. In early 2022, we went global, launching the “50 Over 50: Asia” and “50 Over 50: EMEA” (for women in Europe, the Middle East and Africa).
Mika: With $15 trillion in spending power and decades of wisdom, women over 50 are THE incredible untapped resource
We repeated the process in 2023 and now, we’re looking to do it for a fourth year in a row. Only this year, we’re doing something a little different with our international lists: instead of doing separate lists by region, we’re going to publish ONE global list featuring women around the world. That’s right: We’re looking for women in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South and Central America.
It’s going to be the biggest “50 Over 50” list yet.
‘Their best years are ahead’: Forbes and Know Your Value reveal 4th annual ‘50 Over 50’ U.S. list
Though the year and format is (a little) different, the criteria we’re looking for remains the same: Women who are actively stepping into their power in their sixth decade or beyond. We’re looking for stories about accelerating or recreating careers to reach the highest echelons of a business or field after turning 50—with an eye on women who have overcome significant odds.
Full nomination guidelines are below and you can reference the 2024 “50 Over 50” EMEA and Asia lists are here and here.
Nomination Guides
• Open to women whose residence or work is primarily based anywhere OTHER than the United States (i.e, Canada, South & Central America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa). Candidates can have businesses that operate in multiple countries but need to spend at least 51% of their time or drive 51% of their revenue from countries in the eligible region.
• We are looking only for people who were already 50 or older at the start of 2024. In other words: born on or before December 31, 1973.
• Candidates should reflect the full range of career and passion-project paths, including entrepreneurs and business owners; nonprofit and philanthropy leaders; public servants, policymakers and social advocates; C-suite executives; VCs, angels and financiers; STEM visionaries; and arts and culture creators and producers.
• Fill out the form at this link, making sure all the information is accurate and, most important, highlights why you or your nominees should be on this list. Remember to include how you shifted or accelerated your career at midlife. We also welcome nominations from family, friends and colleagues.
• Nominations will be vetted by our editors. Semifinalists may be contacted for any additional material and to confirm information.
• The deadline to submit all nominations is 11:59pm EST on December 9, 2024.
Know Your Value staff