In every generation, there are leaders who don’t just rise , they explode through limitations and redefine what’s possible. As we step into 2026, we’re witnessing a wave of women entrepreneurs who aren’t waiting for permission, validation, or the “right moment.” They’re creating their own momentum. These women have turned adversity into fuel, vision into strategy, and strategy into massive action. They embody a mindset of resilience, innovation, and absolute certainty that they can shape their own destiny. Their stories are evidence of what becomes possible when human potential is fully unleashed.
This is more than a list. It’s a wake-up call. A reminder that the world doesn’t change by chance, it changes because individuals decide to show up with strength, courage, and purpose. The entrepreneurs you’re about to meet aren’t simply building companies; they’re building movements, shifting cultures, and expanding what leadership looks like in today’s world. Let their journeys challenge you, ignite you, and remind you that the power to create extraordinary impact lies within each of us. Because when one person breaks through, they light the path for millions more to follow.
Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely is an American entrepreneur, inventor, and philanthropist best known as the founder of Spanx, the global shapewear and apparel brand that revolutionized the industry. Born in Clearwater, Florida, she began her career selling fax machines door-to-door. With no background in fashion, manufacturing, or business, she developed the idea for footless pantyhose to create a smoother look under white pants—an idea that would ultimately reshape an entire category. Using her life savings of $5,000, she prototyped the first Spanx product, secured a deal with Neiman Marcus, and soon after landed on Oprah’s “Favorite Things,” which propelled the brand to national visibility.
Under Blakely’s leadership, Spanx expanded from shapewear into leggings, denim, activewear, and ready-to-wear, becoming a household name associated with comfort, confidence, and innovation. In 2021, Spanx was valued at $1.2 billion after a major investment from Blackstone, making Blakely one of the most successful self-made female entrepreneurs in the world. She became the youngest self-made female billionaire in 2012, according to Forbes, and has remained a prominent figure in business thanks to her unconventional approach, resilience, and commitment to empowering women.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Blakely is deeply dedicated to philanthropy. She signed the Giving Pledge in 2013, committing to donate the majority of her wealth to support women, education, and entrepreneurial initiatives. Through the Sara Blakely Foundation, she has funded scholarships, supported female-founded startups, and contributed to global programs focused on empowering women and girls. Her journey, from selling fax machines to building a billion-dollar brand, continues to inspire entrepreneurs around the world.
Alli Webb
Alli Webb is an American entrepreneur, author, and former hairstylist who transformed a simple mobile blowout idea into Drybar, one of the most recognizable beauty service brands in the United States. After years working in public relations and later as a professional stylist, Webb launched Drybar in 2010 as a blowout-only salon in Brentwood, California. The concept quickly resonated, leading to rapid national expansion and a full line of hair-care tools and products sold at major retailers like Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom.
Under Webb’s leadership, Drybar grew into a multimillion-dollar brand with dozens of locations across the country. She has been named to Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business” and received recognition from Inc. and Fortune. Beyond Drybar, Webb co-founded Squeeze (a massage concept) and Becket + Quill (a jewelry line). She is also active in mentorship and invests in women-led startups, using her platform to support female entrepreneurs.
Aleyna Groves
Aleyna Groves is a visionary entrepreneur, tech founder, and CEO of Groves IQ—an AI-powered infrastructure platform revolutionizing the mortgage and real estate industries. As the co-founder of Groves Capital, one of the fastest-growing family-owned mortgage firms in the U.S., Aleyna has earned national recognition for turning operational pain points into powerful, scalable solutions.
Her latest venture, Groves IQ, automates the most overlooked and time-consuming part of the loan process—conditions management. What started as an internal solution quickly evolved into a category-defining product, now used by top lenders and backed by a 1,500+ person waitlist.
Aleyna’s leadership is grounded in real-world experience and a relentless drive to simplify complexity. She’s not building tech for tech’s sake—she’s building infrastructure that empowers professionals to move faster, work smarter, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
As Groves IQ continues to scale nationally, Aleyna remains at the forefront of innovation—proving that the future of mortgage isn’t just digital, it’s intelligent, intuitive, and human-centered.
Dr. Huma Qamar
Dr. Huma Qamar is a dynamic force in modern medicine and biotechnology—a Pakistani-American physician, clinical researcher, and trailblazer redefining what’s possible in healthcare innovation. Born in Rawalpindi and raised in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr. Qamar moved to the United States with just $100 in her pocket, driven by an unshakable belief in the power of dreams and hard work. As the eldest child of a single parent, she took on early leadership responsibilities that shaped her into a resilient, visionary leader. Today, she stands as the Chief Medical Officer of Ocugen, a publicly traded Nasdaq-listed biotech company developing cutting-edge gene therapies for blindness—proof that grit, faith, and a relentless work ethic can open doors to extraordinary impact.
Dr. Qamar’s work at Ocugen is nothing short of revolutionary. She’s leading novel gene therapy programs that could potentially cure once-incurable diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, and Geographic Atrophy—ushering in a new era of hope for patients and families worldwide. Her leadership is grounded not just in scientific excellence, but in purpose: to change lives. A former clinical researcher at Yale, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania, she’s one of the few in the industry who bridges deep clinical expertise with groundbreaking innovation and a public health lens.
Beyond the pharma world, Dr. Qamar is a passionate advocate for women, immigrants, scientists, and future medical leaders. Crowned Mrs. Pakistan USA in 2019, she has used her platform to mentor international medical graduates and speak on global stages about health policy, medical equity, and leadership. Her advice to aspiring changemakers? Be bold, think globally, take risks, and build a mindset that turns obstacles into stepping stones. “Fear is not the enemy—complacency is,” she says.
Despite her high-level achievements, Dr. Qamar remains grounded in service and purpose. Her story is one of faith, humility, and fierce dedication to uplifting others. As she continues to advance breakthrough gene therapy, integrate AI into clinical research, and break barriers in biotech, one thing is clear: Dr. Huma Qamar isn’t just a woman to follow—she’s a physicianpreneur leading the way.
Sophia Felix
Sophia Felix is the founder and CEO of HBM Talent & Management, where she leads a talent management and consulting agency focused on representing professional actors, models, and entrepreneurs. With a decade of experience as a business and talent manager, she specializes in branding, strategic guidance, and professional development. Her work has been recognized with three Telly Awards, an achievement she cites as a meaningful milestone in her career.
In addition to her for-profit work, Sophia is the co-founder and president of the International Cannabis Consulting Business Women’s Association (ICBWA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and connecting women in the cannabis industry. Through education, mentorship, advocacy, and professional growth initiatives, ICBWA works to create opportunities and visibility for women in a sector where representation has historically been limited. This dual focus reflects Sophia’s commitment to building structured support systems for women across industries.
Sophia is also an outspoken mental health advocate, particularly for individuals experiencing PTSD and anxiety. She uses her platforms to raise awareness about holistic healing methods, the importance of therapy, and the need to break stigma around mental health. Her professional philosophy emphasizes mindset, preparation, and strategic thinking, viewing mental and emotional well-being as foundational to sustainable leadership and long-term success.
Earlier in her career, Sophia gained 15 years of experience in the shipbuilding industry, working with companies holding multimillion-dollar contracts for the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy. She credits this period with shaping her discipline, resilience, and ability to lead in high-pressure environments, skills she continues to apply in her current work. Today, Sophia remains focused on expanding her impact through HBM Talent & Management and ICBWA, including producing award-winning commercial work and hosting industry conferences centered on education, wellness, and advocacy.
Loredana Berté
Loredana Berté is a culinary educator and advocate for conscious eating. Through her classes and events, she teaches the regenerative power of food—helping people create simple, delicious, and nourishing recipes for everyday life.
What sets her apart is her mission to raise awareness about how food choices impact our health and well-being. Starting from zero, she turned fear into determination, building a movement that inspires others to eat with intention and purpose.
In 2025, Loredana is expanding her work with a new project promoting the daily use of olive oil as an essential kitchen staple, highlighting its powerful benefits. Passionate about children’s health, she also advocates for preventing childhood obesity and empowering families to make better nutrition choices.
Loredana’s vision is clear: to transform lives through conscious eating—one meal at a time.
Jen Rubio
Jen Rubio is an American entrepreneur and the co-founder of Away, the modern travel lifestyle brand known for its sleek, durable suitcases and direct-to-consumer model. Before launching Away, Rubio worked in global innovation at All Saints and served as Head of Social Media at Warby Parker, where she helped shape the brand’s digital identity. In 2015, after experiencing a suitcase malfunction during travel, she partnered with Steph Korey to create thoughtfully designed luggage at a more accessible price point.
Away quickly became one of the fastest-growing consumer brands in the U.S., reaching hundreds of millions in revenue and expanding into apparel, accessories, and retail stores. Rubio has played a key role in shaping the company’s brand storytelling and product innovation. She has been honored on Forbes 30 Under 30 and Fast Company lists. Rubio is also an active angel investor and advocate for women and underrepresented founders.
Laura Lecompte
Laura Lecompte, known as “The Czar of Mass Parking,” is a visionary entrepreneur redefining how transportation is managed at major events. As the founder and CEO of Yo Te Llevo, a Mexican brand specializing in valet parking, chauffeurs, and large-scale parking logistics, Laura has become the go-to expert for festivals and productions that need seamless, reliable traffic solutions.
Her journey began in 2013 with a simple idea: provide designated drivers for partygoers. Inspired by similar services in her native Colombia, Laura launched her business in Mexico, quickly pivoting to valet parking to gain better access to clients. In 2016, she took on her first large-scale festival in the jungle of Playa del Carmen—what is now the iconic Zamna Festival. Without any infrastructure, Laura built a team from scratch and executed operations in the middle of the forest. That event became the catalyst for a business that now manages parking for up to 20,000 attendees at a time.
What sets Laura apart is her approach: she doesn’t see parking as a side detail—it’s the first and last touchpoint of every event experience. She specializes in designing and operating parking systems for events in remote, natural, or archaeological venues across Mexico and globally, including Egypt, Spain, Brazil, and Colombia.
Breaking through a male-dominated industry as a young, foreign woman was no easy feat. But Laura turned every challenge into an opportunity, earning the trust of top event producers through hands-on leadership, precision logistics, and unwavering commitment to service.
Her impact extends beyond operations. Laura is known for treating her team like family—providing dignified housing, quality meals, and a supportive culture where people thrive.
She’s also a leader in sustainability, eliminating plastic use and investing in environmental care at every event site.
Looking ahead to 2026, Laura is expanding into commercial parking solutions—malls, airports, hospitals—while incorporating AI and digital ticketing to elevate the user experience.
If you want to know where innovation, leadership, and logistics meet—Laura Lecompte is the entrepreneur to watch.
Cristina Suaza
Dr. Cristina Suaza, founder and CEO of Clínica Dentica, has become one of Colombia’s most notable women entrepreneurs through her mission to redefine patient-centered dentistry. With over fifteen years of experience in hospital emergency care and university-level teaching, she brings a rare blend of clinical expertise, leadership, and compassion to the healthcare sector. She also holds a specialization in University Teaching from the Universidad Militar Nueva Granada.
Early in her career, Dr. Suaza identified a major gap in traditional dental services: the lack of supportive, specialized care for patients who experience fear or anxiety in dental environments. Driven by the desire to help these individuals regain confidence and protect their oral health, she founded Clínica Dentica in Bogotá. Now celebrating more than a decade of impact, the clinic has become known for its ethical, multidisciplinary, and technologically advanced approach.
In 2023, Clínica Dentica opened a new branch in Bogotá with the objective of strengthening its leadership in international patient care.
What distinguishes Dr. Suaza among top women entrepreneurs is her commitment to holistic and emotionally aware dentistry. Clínica Dentica integrates state-of-the-art tools—such as the 3Shape Scanner, digital anesthesia, diode laser, and piezoelectric systems—with patient-focused techniques designed to reduce fear and provide maximum comfort. Her vision is clear: no one should neglect oral health due to anxiety.
Looking toward 2026, Dr. Suaza is preparing for Clínica Dentica’s most significant growth phase. With a newly expanded, modern facility, she plans to strengthen the clinic’s presence in the dental tourism market, attracting patients from the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean.
She is also developing Dentica Wellness, an initiative focused on educating the public about the link between oral health and serious systemic diseases, emphasizing prevention and early care.
Through resilience, ethical leadership, and a profound passion for improving lives, Dr. Cristina Suaza continues to stand out as a visionary shaping the future of dentistry in Latin America—one smile at a time.
Liley Ballesteros
Liley Valentina Ballesteros is a rising creative force whose work bridges emotional wellbeing, artistic expression, and personal transformation. As an artist, author, and mental health advocate, she has shaped a purpose driven brand that resonates with individuals seeking genuine self-connection and healing.
While many moments have shaped her journey, one of the most meaningful is the way art became a shared language between her and her son, who faces speech challenges. “Art allowed us to speak beyond words, it connected us, healed us, and taught me that creativity is a form of motherhood too,” Ballesteros reflects. This profound intersection between her identity as a woman, an artist, and a mother deepened her understanding of emotional expression and solidified her belief that art is a powerful guide through even the most challenging chapters of the human experience.
After migrating and rebuilding her world from the ground up, Ballesteros learned to transform uncertainty into opportunity. This evolution strengthened her resilience and shaped the philosophy behind her work.
What sets Ballesteros apart in the creative wellness space is the emotional honesty and depth she brings to her work. She uses art as both a visual language and a therapeutic pathway, creating pieces and experiences that invite individuals to reconnect with themselves, release emotional burdens, and view their stories with renewed clarity. Her audience is drawn to creativity not merely for inspiration, but as a tool for understanding their inner world.
A defining milestone in her career is her book Emociónate con Arte, a transformative project born from her own emotional evolution. The book positions her as a meaningful voice in conversations around art therapy and emotional resilience, offering readers a compassionate, creativity-based framework for exploring their feelings.
Guided by values such as authenticity, empathy, sensitivity, and intentionality, Ballesteros has emerged as a leader committed to elevating mental health through artistic expression. Her message to aspiring women leaders is simple yet profound: embrace your truth, honor every chapter of your story, and allow creativity to be the bridge to self-discovery.
Looking ahead to 2026, Ballesteros envisions expanding her artistic brand globally, bringing Emociónate con Arte to new audiences, and developing international workshops centered on creative healing and emotional awareness. Her long-term vision goes beyond her work — she aims to build a global community where art becomes a universal language of wellbeing, courage, and transformation.
Denise Woodard
Denise Woodard is an American entrepreneur and the founder of Partake Foods, a line of allergy-friendly cookies, snacks, and baking mixes made without the top nine allergens. Woodard launched the company in 2017 after her young daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, inspiring her mission to create safe, delicious snacks accessible to all families. She became the first Black woman in the U.S. to raise more than $1 million for a food startup through investors.
Partake Foods has since grown into a nationally distributed brand sold at retailers including Target, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Walmart. Woodard has been recognized by Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Inc. for her leadership and innovation in the food industry. She is also committed to social impact, partnering with organizations to fight food insecurity and supporting Black and BIPOC entrepreneurs through mentorship and funding initiatives.
Emily Weiss
Emily Weiss is an American entrepreneur and the founder of Glossier, the beauty brand that helped define the modern era of consumer-driven, digital-first cosmetics. Weiss began her career in fashion editorial, working at Vogue, W Magazine, and Teen Vogue. She gained early visibility through her beauty blog Into The Gloss, which grew into a highly influential platform and led her to launch Glossier in 2014 with a direct-to-consumer model rooted in community and real customer feedback.
Glossier became one of the most recognizable beauty startups of the 2010s, raising hundreds of millions in venture capital and building a devoted global fanbase. Weiss was named to Time’s 100 Next list and Forbes 30 Under 30. Beyond beauty, she has focused on creating career pathways for women in tech and consumer startups, advocating for inclusive product development and leadership opportunities for women.
Angela Benton
Angela Benton is an American entrepreneur and pioneer in the tech startup ecosystem, born in Chicago, Illinois. After early work in project management and digital strategy, she founded NewME in 2011, the first startup accelerator focused on supporting minority entrepreneurs globally. Her work helped shine a spotlight on diverse founders and broaden access to Silicon Valley resources.
NewME became known for its innovative approach to mentorship, networking, and early-stage support for underrepresented tech founders. Benton’s leadership enabled many startups to secure funding and visibility during a period when few programs prioritized diversity in tech.
She has been recognized as one of the technology industry’s most influential African-American entrepreneurs, featured by outlets such as Fast Company and CNN, and remains an advocate for inclusive innovation and access to startup capital.
Kathryn Finney
Kathryn Finney is an American author, investor, and entrepreneur who has built a significant presence in tech and media. She initially gained recognition for The Budget Fashionista, a blog-turned-media company she ran and later sold after more than a decade.
Finney founded The Doonie Fund, a platform providing micro-investments to Black women entrepreneurs, and later created Genius Guild, a venture fund and studio investing in companies led by founders serving Black communities and beyond.
Her work blends entrepreneurship with social impact and mentorship, emphasizing scalable business growth and economic equity. Finney is also an author and public speaker, using her platform to address diversity and funding gaps in venture capital.
Dawn Dickson
Dawn Dickson is an American businesswoman, inventor, author, and investor born in Columbus, Ohio. She founded PopCom, a retail technology company that builds automated retail and smart vending solutions, and also created Flat Out of Heels, a women’s shoe brand designed for comfort and convenience.
Her background includes early exposure to small business through her family, which ran a demolition company and in-home day care. Dickson parlayed her entrepreneurial spirit into disruptive ventures that bridge physical and digital retail experiences.
She has raised millions in funding, spoken widely on innovation and diversity in tech, and authored books on entrepreneurship, highlighting her experience navigating growth, product development, and crowdfunding.
Toni Ko
Toni Ko is an American businesswoman and the founder of NYX Cosmetics, a makeup brand known for its professional-quality products at accessible prices. Born in South Korea and later based in the U.S., Ko launched NYX in 1999 and grew it into a major beauty brand recognized for innovation and inclusivity.
In 2014, she sold NYX to L’Oréal for $500 million, solidifying her reputation as a successful self-made entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Since then, she has founded Butter Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage and female-founded companies, and runs other beauty-related ventures.
Ko’s work emphasizes strategic brand building, disruptive pricing, and fostering emerging talent, and she has been featured in Forbes and Entrepreneur for her contributions to the beauty and startup world.
Whitney Wolfe Herd
Whitney Wolfe Herd is an American tech entrepreneur best known as the founder of Bumble, the dating app that empowers women to make the first move. After initially working on Tinder’s early marketing team, she left and in 2014 launched Bumble with a mission to create a safer, more empowering space in online dating.
Under her leadership, Bumble expanded beyond dating into professional networking (Bumble Bizz) and friendships (Bumble BFF), significantly broadening its user base. In 2021, Bumble went public, making Wolfe Herd the youngest female founder to take a company public.
Her approach focuses on women’s empowerment, community building, and thoughtful product design, and she continues to influence conversations around gender dynamics in tech and entrepreneurship.
Rebecca Minkoff
Rebecca Minkoff is an American fashion designer and entrepreneur known for her eponymous lifestyle brand that blends contemporary design with intuitive functionality. She launched her line in 2001 with accessories and later expanded into ready-to-wear, handbags, and footwear.
Minkoff’s approach to fashion emphasizes inclusivity and technology; she has integrated digital experiences into her retail strategy, including social media-driven product creation and connected store formats.
She is also a vocal advocate for women in business and leadership, speaking regularly on entrepreneurship, design thinking, and the importance of female representation in the fashion industry.
Julie Bornstein
Julie Bornstein is an American entrepreneur and executive with deep roots in retail and technology. She has held leadership roles at major brands like Sephora, Urban Decay, and Nordstrom, leveraging her expertise in customer experience and digital transformation.
In 2020, Bornstein founded The Yes, an AI-powered shopping platform that personalizes fashion discovery for consumers, backed by prominent investors. The platform aims to revolutionize online shopping by tailoring selections to individual preferences.
Her work bridges retail experience with innovation, and she has been featured in business publications for her vision in blending technology with commerce.
Katrina Lake
Katrina Lake is an American entrepreneur and founder of Stitch Fix, an online personal styling service that uses data science and human expertise to deliver curated clothing selections. She launched the company in 2011 after identifying a gap in the retail market for personalized shopping.
Stitch Fix went public in 2017, making Lake one of the few female founders to lead a tech IPO. The company’s model combines style quizzes, algorithmic recommendations, and stylist insight to tailor customer experiences.
Lake’s leadership has been recognized for advancing data-driven retail and creating opportunities for women in tech and business.
Reshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani is an American lawyer, politician, and entrepreneur best known as the founder of Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology and engineering. Inspired by her own experiences in male-dominated fields, she launched the organization in 2012 to support young women in computing.
Girls Who Code has reached hundreds of thousands of students through programming clubs, summer camps, and public advocacy, becoming one of the leading voices for women in STEM education.
Saujani is also an author and public speaker, focusing on leadership, innovation, and expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities in tech and business.
Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba is an American actress and entrepreneur who co-founded The Honest Company, a consumer goods brand focused on non-toxic, eco-friendly products for families. Launched in 2011, the company quickly became known for its commitment to transparency and safer household products.
The Honest Company expanded into personal care, beauty, and baby products, attracting wide consumer support and major retail distribution. It went public in 2021, underscoring its market impact.
Alba’s leadership in building a mission-driven brand has earned her recognition in business circles and inspired other celebrity founders to pursue purpose-led entrepreneurship.
Katrina Markoff
Katrina Markoff is an American chocolatier and founder of Vosges Haut-Chocolat, a luxury chocolate company that blends global flavors and cultural influences. She launched the brand in 1998 after studying at the French Culinary Institute, pioneering inventive flavor combinations.
Vosges expanded into retail boutiques and a loyal international customer base, celebrated for its artisanal approach and storytelling through flavor.
Markoff has been featured in culinary and business media for her creativity and for elevating chocolate into a high-end experiential product category.
Lisa Price
Lisa Price is an American entrepreneur and founder of Carol’s Daughter, a beauty brand specializing in natural hair and skincare products rooted in cultural heritage and community. She started the business in her Brooklyn kitchen in the early 1990s, selling products at local markets.
The brand grew through grassroots support and celebrity endorsements, becoming a staple in ethnic beauty retail before being acquired by major consumer companies.
Price’s journey highlights early innovation in multicultural beauty and the power of community-driven brand growth.
Nancy Twine
Nancy Twine is an American entrepreneur and the founder of Briogeo Hair Care, a clean, texture-inclusive beauty brand known for its “6-free” formulas and science-backed natural ingredients. Before launching Briogeo in 2013, Twine worked at Goldman Sachs, where she built her business skills while simultaneously exploring natural beauty formulations inspired by the homemade recipes she created with her mother. After her mother’s passing, Twine channeled that legacy into building a brand rooted in wellness, simplicity, and ingredient transparency—ultimately leaving Wall Street to pursue entrepreneurship full-time.
Under Twine’s leadership, Briogeo became one of the fastest-growing clean haircare brands in the U.S., quickly earning placement at Sephora, Ulta, and other major retailers. The brand gained a loyal following for products tailored to diverse hair needs, such as “Don’t Despair, Repair!” and “Curl Charisma,” helping redefine what inclusive, clean haircare could look like. Twine became the youngest Black woman to launch a line at Sephora, a milestone widely recognized in the beauty industry.
Beyond Briogeo, Twine has been featured in Forbes, Allure, Entrepreneur, and Inc. for her leadership and commitment to raising industry standards around transparency and sustainability. She is also involved in mentoring emerging founders, particularly women of color, and advocates for increased representation in consumer goods and venture capital spaces. Today, Twine continues to influence the clean beauty landscape through education, product innovation, and advocacy.
Julie Smolyansky
Julie Smolyansky is an American entrepreneur best known as the CEO of Lifeway Foods, a leading supplier of kefir and probiotic dairy products in the United States. After her father, founder Michael Smolyansky, passed away unexpectedly in 2002, Julie—then only 27—stepped into the CEO role, becoming one of the youngest female CEOs of a publicly traded company. Born in Ukraine and raised in Chicago, she grew up immersed in the family business, gaining firsthand experience in food manufacturing and distribution.
Under her leadership, Lifeway expanded its product offerings, increased national visibility for kefir, and successfully tapped into the growing interest in gut health and wellness. Smolyansky led product innovation that introduced kefir to mainstream American grocery stores, helping transform Lifeway into a nationally recognized health brand available in major retailers such as Whole Foods, Costco, and Target. Her ability to blend business strategy with cultural education has been credited for Lifeway’s sustained success.
Smolyansky is also a prominent advocate for women’s empowerment, refugee support, and gender-based violence prevention. She co-founded the nonprofit Test400k to support survivors of sexual assault and is active in philanthropic and policy work related to human rights. Her leadership continues to be recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business, Forbes, and national food-industry associations.
Anne Mahlum
Anne Mahlum is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and wellness leader best known as the founder of Back on My Feet, a nonprofit organization that uses running as a catalyst to support people experiencing homelessness. Mahlum founded the organization in Philadelphia in 2007 after forming relationships with individuals at a local shelter and realizing that consistent running could foster self-worth, structure, and community—three elements essential to rebuilding a life. Her idea quickly gained national attention for its innovative and human-centered approach.
Back on My Feet expanded to more than a dozen cities across the United States, offering early-morning group runs, job training programs, housing resources, and financial assistance. Under Mahlum’s leadership, the organization supported thousands of members in securing employment and long-term housing, becoming a widely studied model in social entrepreneurship. Her work demonstrated how physical fitness can intersect with mental health and economic mobility.
Mahlum later founded [solidcore], a boutique fitness company offering high-intensity Pilates-inspired workouts, which grew into a successful national chain. She has been featured by CNN Heroes, Runner’s World, and The New York Times, and continues to speak publicly on resilience, leadership, and impact-driven business models. Her career reflects a commitment to building communities rooted in empowerment and personal transformation.
Andrea Jung
Andrea Jung is a Canadian-American business executive best known for her tenure as CEO of Avon Products, where she became one of the most prominent female business leaders in the world. Raised in Toronto and educated at Princeton University, Jung built her early career at Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s before joining Avon in 1994. By 1999, she became its first female CEO, leading the global beauty company through a major brand modernization and international expansion.
During her career at Avon, Jung championed women’s economic empowerment through the company’s direct-selling model, which created business opportunities for millions of female representatives worldwide. She was repeatedly listed on Forbes and Fortune as one of the most powerful women in business. Her leadership emphasized purpose-driven business, philanthropic partnerships, and accessible entrepreneurship.
After leaving Avon, Jung became president and CEO of Grameen America, the microfinance nonprofit founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. Under her direction, the organization has distributed billions in micro-loans to low-income women entrepreneurs across the U.S., helping them build businesses and achieve financial independence. Her work continues to influence economic development, social impact, and gender equity initiatives.
Lisa Wang
Lisa Wang is an American entrepreneur, former Team USA rhythmic gymnast, angel investor, and advocate for women’s wealth-building. After retiring from elite athletics, Wang transitioned into entrepreneurship and co-founded SheWorx in 2016, a global platform focused on accelerating funding and resources for female founders. SheWorx quickly became a recognized name in the startup ecosystem for its focus on equitable access to capital.
Wang later founded Bad Bitch Empire, a women-centered investment platform and community designed to help women build financial confidence, close the wealth gap, and invest intentionally. Through workshops, events, and educational content, the organization empowers women to become active investors and leaders in the financial landscape. Her mission is rooted in demystifying investing and helping women claim their economic power.
She has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur, and speaks widely on topics such as leadership, mindset, and venture capital inclusion. Wang leverages her athletic discipline and entrepreneurial experience to inspire others to pursue bold, financially empowered careers. Her work continues to shape conversations around gender, wealth, and representation in business.
Talia Goldstein
Talia Goldstein is an American entrepreneur and the founder of Three Day Rule, a modern matchmaking company that blends algorithmic insights with human expertise. After working as a television producer in Los Angeles, Goldstein noticed how many people struggled to form meaningful romantic connections despite the rise of dating apps. She launched Three Day Rule in 2013 to create a curated, concierge-style matchmaking experience rooted in empathy, personalization, and long-term compatibility.
Under Goldstein’s leadership, Three Day Rule expanded nationally and partnered with major dating platforms such as Match and OkCupid, integrating human matchmaking with digital dating ecosystems. The company employs professional matchmakers who conduct in-depth interviews, leverage data, and hand-select matches—an approach that helped it stand out in a crowded dating industry. Goldstein has built a brand focused on authenticity, emotional intelligence, and relationship wellness.Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, Fortune, and TechCrunch, highlighting her ability to modernize an age-old industry. Goldstein is also a speaker and mentor for women entrepreneurs, sharing insights on leadership, brand-building, and navigating male-dominated business environments. Her company continues to influence how people connect in the digital age.
