To mark International Women’s Day, a new annual list highlights 25 influential women shaping the future of retail, fashion, beauty, entertainment and finance in the US, recognising leaders driving innovation, mentorship and industry transformation.
Senior executives from some of the world’s most recognisable consumer brands, including Ulta Beauty, Gap, Victoria’s Secret, E.L.F. Beauty, Anthropologie, Sally Beauty, Mattel and Michael Kors, have been named to the 2026 list of the “25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders.”
The annual recognition, now in its fifth year, honors female leaders whose impact extends beyond corporate performance to include innovation, mentorship and cultural change across industries. The honourees were selected by former recipients alongside Berns & Co’s leadership networks – the Retail Influencer Network, The DealmakeHers and The Z Suite – in partnership with the Women in Retail Leadership Circle. Together, the organisations aim to spotlight women redefining leadership across retail, fashion, beauty, sports and entertainment.
OPENING DOORS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
“Five years ago, we launched this list because we believed the industry needed a mirror — a place to reflect the kind of leadership that doesn’t just perform, but transforms,” said Stacy Berns, President of Berns & Co and founder of the three business networks behind the initiative.
“What we’ve built is far bigger than an awards list,” Berns added. “It’s a living network of women rewriting the rules of leadership. The 2026 honourees aren’t waiting for the future of their industries — they’re building it, deal by deal and decision by decision, while opening doors for the next generation.”
MOST INSPIRING WOMEN
This year’s list reflects a wide cross-section of the global business landscape, spanning founders, C-suite executives and cultural leaders. The honourees, listed alphabetically by company, include:
- Barbra Sainsurin, Global CMO, Anthropologie
- Aliya Sahai, Principal, Bernstein / Alliance Capital
- Marisa Thalberg, EVP and Chief Customer & Marketing Officer, Catalyst Brands (JCPenney, Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer and others)
- Ekta Chopra, Chief Digital Officer, E.L.F. Beauty
- Jeremi Gorman, Chief Revenue Officer, Fanatics
- Faby Torres, Chief Marketing Officer, Gap
- Michelle Cordeiro Grant, Founder & CEO, Gorgie
- Maureen Polo, CEO, Hello Sunshine
- Mary Ellen Coyne, CEO, J.Jill
- Lizanne Kindler, Executive Chair & CEO, KnitWell Group
- Jennifer Prince, Chief Commercial Officer, Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
- Mary Fox, President, LoveSac
- Stacy Lilien, President, LoveShackFancy
- Jamie Cygielman, Global Head of Dolls & President of American Girl, Mattel
- Anne Walsh, President, North America Retail, Michael Kors
- Kristin Juszczyk, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Off Season
- Chelsea Parke Goles, Founder, Creative Director & CEO, PARKE
- Brieane Olson, CEO, Pacsun
- Denise Paulonis, President & CEO, Sally Beauty
- Lee Sterling, Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Property Group
- Sara Blakely, Founder, Spanx
- Tiffany Dufu, President, Tory Burch Foundation
- Kelly Mahoney, Chief Marketing Officer, Ulta Beauty
- Anne Stephenson, President, Victoria’s Secret
- Zarna Garg, Comedian, screenwriter and digital creator
Melissa Campanelli, co-founder of the Women in Retail Leadership Circle, said the list reflects a broader shift in how leadership is defined across modern business. “We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible group of women shaping the future of retail, fashion and beauty,” Campanelli said. “These honourees demonstrate what it means to lead with purpose, drive innovation and lift others as they rise.”
GROWING LEGACY OF WOMEN LEADERS
Since its launch, the Most Inspirational Women Leaders initiative has sought to spotlight the ripple effect created when women occupy positions of influence, particularly in industries historically dominated by male leadership.
Past honourees include prominent executives such as Hillary Super, CEO of Victoria’s Secret; Kristen D’Arcy, CMO of True Religion; Carol Hamilton, President of Mergers & Acquisitions and Business Development at L’Oréal USA; Latriece Watkins, EVP and Chief Merchandising Officer at Walmart US; and Nicola Mendelsohn, Head of the Global Business Group at Meta.
Organisers say the goal is not simply recognition but the creation of a long-term network that supports collaboration, mentorship and visibility for rising female leaders. As Berns noted, the list reflects a broader movement reshaping the executive landscape. “The women on this year’s list aren’t just responding to change,” she said. “They’re creating it.”
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