Yulia Tymoshenko
Prime Minister, Ukraine, 2007 -2010

Yulia Tymoshenko was the first female Prime Minister of Ukraine, serving from 2007 to 2010. Prior to her election, Tymoshenko played a key role in the Orange Revolution as an outspoken leader of the Ukrainian opposition to former president Leonid Kuchma’s corrupt administration. She also has served as Chair of the Parliamentary Budget Committee and as Deputy Prime Minister of Fuel and Energy. She introduced important reforms in those positions, particularly ending much of the corruption in the energy sector. During her first term as Prime Minister she initiated bold attempts to re-privatize industrial assets. In 2005 Forbes Magazine named her the third most powerful woman in the world. Before becoming involved in politics, Tymoshenko directed several energy-related companies and served as president of United Energy Systems of Ukraine. She holds a PhD in economics.