A glance at prominent women in business leadership roles worldwide

LONDON – Companies are trying to increase the number of women in executive positions amid evidence that it brings higher profits, surveys show. Many still struggle to do so, however.

Here's a look at some prominent women in business leadership in a range of sectors and regions.

— Mary Barra

Among America's most prominent CEOs, Barra came up through the ranks at General Motors, serving as executive vice president for global product development before becoming CEO in 2014.

— Beth Mooney

American Banker describes her as the first female CEO of a top 20 U.S. banking company, KeyCorp. Named CEO in 2010, she brought some 30 years of retail banking experience to the table.

— Ana Botin

Became chairman of Spain-based Banco Santander, the eurozone's biggest bank by market value, last year. She previously served as CEO of the bank's U.K. operation and joined Santander's board in 1989.

— Alison Cooper

CEO of U.K.-based Imperial Tobacco since 2010. She joined the group in 1999 and has held a number of senior roles.

— Guler Sabanci

Chairwoman and managing director of Sabanci Holdings in Turkey, one of the country's biggest industrial and financial conglomerates.

— Chanda Kochhar

Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Bank, India's second-largest lender and the biggest bank in the private sector.

— Li Dang

President, China General Technology, one of China's most powerful industrial conglomerates.

— Sheryl Sandberg

Chief operating officer at Facebook, she got people talking with her book, "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead," which dealt with the paucity of women in senior positions.