A glance at prominent women in business leadership roles worldwide

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.