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Another very heavy hitter that belongs on any ‘most influential” list, Darren Woods is CEO of ExxonMobil, still one of the most influential energy companies on the planet at a moment when energy security, geopolitics, and the clean-energy transition are all colliding.
As CEO and chair, Woods oversees a company that produces millions of barrels of oil and gas a day, shapes global supply chains, and has the balance sheet to move markets when it invests or pulls back.
Recently, he’s been standing out more than ever because he’s the mental muscle behind Exxon’s aggressive strategy shift. Woods is doubling down on carbon capture, hydrogen, and low-carbon fuels, positioning Exxon not just as an oil giant but as a major player in the next phase of global energy production.
At the same time, he’s guiding the company as it rakes in higher record profits, completes major acquisitions, and faces intense political scrutiny. All of which give him a central role in debates about climate policy, energy affordability, and industrial investment.
