Pole among the most influential leaders in the world in 2025 [BARRON'S RANKING]

We've just met the 26 most influential CEOs in the world. Alongside business legends like Warren Buffett and Satya Nadella, Barron's magazine's list features a Pole, Jacek Olczak. Who is the CEO of Philip Morris International?

The American magazine Barron's has just announced its annual ranking of the Top 26 Best CEOs in the World , identifying leaders who have a real impact on the future of global brands, technologies, and even consumers. This year's edition includes Jacek Olczak , CEO of Philip Morris International, alongside legends like Warren Buffett and Satya Nadella .

As the creators of the Barron's ranking explain, the TOP 26 is a list of CEOs who not only generated growth but also strategically redesigned their companies to stay ahead of trends, transform the market, and, most importantly, do so for the benefit of shareholders and consumers. The magazine's selection is the result of months of analysis, debate, and comparisons of the operating results of companies listed in the US. This year's winners included some surprises.

Among the 26 most effective leaders in the world is Jacek Olczak , CEO of Philip Morris International , the company behind some of the world's most popular cigarette brands, from L&M to Marlboro . How did he reach the top of the American ranking?

Born on January 23, 1965, in Łódź, he began his career at BDO and joined PMI in 1993, gradually rising through the ranks in Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Romania, and the Baltic States. In 2009, he became head of the EU region , CFO in 2012, and COO in 2018. He headed the global company in 2021.

Interestingly, the only Pole on Barron's list made it onto the list not for selling cigarettes , but for effectively phasing them out. Sounds like a paradox? Not necessarily.

Instead of promoting traditional cigarettes , Jacek Olczak focuses on products like IQOS and ZYN , which currently generate higher margins than traditional tobacco products. He lives in Switzerland and has an estimated net worth of over $106 million.

1. Warren Buffett – Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
2. Safra Catz – Oracle
3. H. Lawrence Culp Jr. – GE Aerospace
4. Jamie Dimon - JPMorgan Chase
5. Richard Fairbank – Capital One Financial
6. Ernie Herrman – TJX Cos.
7. Kevin Hochman – Brinker International
8. Jensen Huang – Nvidia
9. Alex Karp – Palantir Technologies
10. Scott Kirby - United Airlines Holdings
11. Doug McMillon – Walmart
12. Satya Nadella – Microsoft
13. Jacek Olczak – Philip Morris International (PM)
14. Clifton Pemble – Garmin
15. Greg Peters and Ted Sarandos - Netflix
16. Darren Rebelez - Casey's General Stores
17. Dave Regnery - Trane Technologies
18. Dave Ricks – Eli Lilly
19. Marc Rowan – Apollo Global Management
20. Jennifer Rumsey-Cummins
21. John Stankey – AT&T
22. Lisa Su – Advanced Micro Devices
23. Luis von Ahn – Duolingo
24. Darren Woods – Exxon Mobil
25. Mark Zuckerberg – Meta Platforms