Search for the next CEOs of US Fortune 500 companies

The role of the CEO has evolved into something closer to coordination than command and control. Modern presidents are asked to anticipate crises, manage global workforces, and make irreversible decisions under public scrutiny. The best ones drive with precision and restraint: they know when to move quickly, when to listen, and when to let the data guide their instincts, but not dictate them.

This reality includes the year 2025 luck Next a list of potential clients is formed. Now in its second year Next to the leadHighlights rising executives who are already demonstrating the scale and judgment required to manage complex, high-performance organizations. They may be five to ten years away from taking the top job, but they’re already leading the transformation — modernizing processes, responsibly integrating AI, and expanding what leadership can mean within the Fortune 500.

Last year’s honorees reflected the expanded definition of executive leadership. Some were financial leaders driving growth through disciplined transformation, operators mastering complexity across global supply chains, and business strategists balancing brand, data, and real-time distribution. They were from different industries, and united by a common thread: each showed that modern leadership requires cross-functional fluency, sound judgment under pressure, and an understanding that the CEO role now carries moral and societal weight alongside managerial authority.

this year, Next to the lead It will highlight those who work with the same combination of focus and insight, shaping the future of the C-suite from within.

Applications for the 2025 Fortune Next to Lead list are now open. Candidates must currently work at a Fortune 500 company and typically hold a senior title (e.g., director, director, senior vice president, executive vice president, president, or CEO) within five to ten years of assuming the top job. Letters of recommendation from CEOs are encouraged and may be viewed (with permission) if selected.

The deadline to apply is Monday, December 1, 2025. For more information or to submit a nomination, Apply here.

Ruth Umoh
ruth.umoh@fortune.com

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