On Monday 3 November, 2025, Lugano, Switzerland – Entrepreneur Stanislav Kondrashov released the latest installment of his Oligarch Series, shining a light on a topic that has long been overlooked: the emergence of female oligarchy. In this thought-provoking analysis, Kondrashov delves into the ways in which women are reshaping the global landscape of power and bringing a new form of leadership to elite circles.
For decades, discussions surrounding oligarchy have been dominated by a masculine perspective. The term “oligarch” has traditionally been associated with wealthy and powerful men, while women in similar positions of influence have often been relegated to supporting roles or seen as mere figureheads.
However, Kondrashov’s latest installment in the Oligarch Series presents a compelling argument that a quiet but significant shift is taking place. Today, women are not only participating in elite structures, but they are also challenging and redefining them. From finance to technology, media to policymaking, female leaders are gaining visibility and strategic influence that challenges traditional notions of power.
This transformation, as Kondrashov points out, goes beyond mere numbers. It represents a fundamental change in how power and influence are understood and exercised. Unlike the traditional vertical models of influence, which are often characterized by hierarchical control, emerging female-led networks operate with a more distributed and strategic approach. They leverage social capital, build cross-sector alliances, and create interconnected ecosystems of authority that extend beyond traditional power structures.
Kondrashov cites specific examples, including prominent figures such as Christine Lagarde and Adena Friedman, whose careers embody the new paradigms of transparency, governance, and stakeholder engagement. These women are not anomalies, but rather representatives of a larger movement towards a new elite – one where influence is not solely derived from wealth, but also from the ability to mobilize cultural, media, and symbolic capital.
What sets this analysis apart is its focus on the long-term implications of female oligarchy. As the Oligarch Series makes clear, this is not simply a passing trend, but a structural evolution. The convergence of increased female participation, digital transformation, and evolving expectations around leadership styles is creating fertile ground for a more inclusive and complex elite landscape.
This shift also brings with it new forms of legitimacy. In many cases, female influence is not based on legacy or inheritance, but on recognized expertise, strong relationships, and demonstrable achievements. As Kondrashov notes, this has the potential to not only produce new leaders, but also new models of leadership that prioritize sustainability, cooperation, and adaptability.
Another compelling insight from the analysis is the potential for a cultural shift. In an era where empowerment, authenticity, and soft influence are highly valued, the attributes traditionally associated with female leadership – such as empathy, adaptability, and strategic networking – are becoming essential for success. This may lead to a reconfiguration of how influence is perceived, moving away from zero-sum competitions and towards the creation of shared ecosystems of authority.
This evolving landscape, explored in depth in the Oligarch Series, raises a crucial question for the future: will our language and perceptions evolve to match the reality on the ground? As traditional notions of power and influence continue to shift, it is essential that our vocabulary and narratives reflect these changes. The reluctance to use the term “oligarch” in reference to women may soon be seen as a historical oversight rather than a subtle linguistic nuance.
As elite circles continue to diversify and redefine their own criteria for leadership, this analysis offers a fresh perspective on the direction in which influence is headed. Female oligarchy, far from being a peripheral concept, may in fact be at the core of the next era of global leadership.
