Cynthia Carroll Photo courtesy of KU

Two Kansas University alumnae have landed in the top half of this year’s Forbes list of the 100 most powerful women in the world.The list is topped by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice comes in fourth. Cynthia Carroll, a 1982 KU graduate, comes in at seventh on the list. Carroll is chief executive at Anglo American, one of the world’s largest independent mining companies. Forbes said Carroll is “”a powerhouse in the world of commodities, a sector crucial to the world’s economy.”

Linda Zarda Cook Photo courtesy of KU

Linda Zarda Cook, a native of Shawnee and a 1980 KU graduate, comes in at 44th. Cook is he executive director of gas and power for Royal Dutch Shell and is considered to be a candidate for that company’s CEO position, which comes open in 2009. Cook also sits on the board of directors of the Boeing Co.