Leading with Purpose: The 2026 Class of Most Inspirational Women Leaders
Berns & Co. and the Women in Retail Leadership Circle reveal the 2026 edition of the 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders — honoring visionary executives from Ulta Beauty, Mattel, Michael Kors, Victoria’s Secret, E.L.F. Beauty, and more.
Who Are the 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders in Retail for 2026?
Now in its fifth year, the 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders list — presented by Berns & Co. in partnership with the Women in Retail Leadership Circle — recognizes 25 trailblazing women executives who are transforming the retail, fashion, beauty, sports, and entertainment industries.
Released annually during Women’s History Month, this prestigious list goes beyond traditional performance metrics. The 2026 honorees are being recognized for driving innovation, leading with purpose, and actively mentoring the next generation of female executives.
Why This List Matters in 2026
The retail and consumer landscape is being reshaped by artificial intelligence, shifting generational values, and an urgent global demand for ethical, purpose-driven leadership. The 2026 honorees — representing iconic brands including Ulta Beauty, Mattel, Gap, Victoria’s Secret, E.L.F. Beauty, and Michael Kors — aren’t just adapting to change. They’re driving it.
Stacy Berns, President of Berns & Co. and founder of the Retail Influencer Network, The DealmakeHers, and The Z Suite, launched this list five years ago with a clear vision:
“We believed the industry needed a mirror — a place to reflect the kind of leadership that doesn’t just perform, but transforms. The 2026 honorees aren’t waiting for the future of retail — they’re building it, deal by deal, decision by decision, and opening doors for the next generation as they go.”
Key Themes: What Today’s Top Women Leaders in Retail Have in Common
1. Embracing Non-Linear Career Paths
Kelly Mahoney, CMO of Ulta Beauty, is proof that unconventional career trajectories can be a competitive advantage. Having moved from finance to performance marketing, loyalty, retail operations, and growth marketing before becoming CMO, she says her advice to aspiring women executives is straightforward: “Say yes to every opportunity — especially to the opportunities that stretch you.”
Mahoney says that in today’s retail environment, combining data and business acumen with bold creative thinking is essential — particularly as marketing expands to include AI, personalization, and retail media. “The doors you don’t expect to open are often the ones that put you exactly where you’re meant to lead.”
2. Making High-Stakes Career Bets
Jennifer Prince, Chief Commercial Officer of the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), made one of the boldest moves of her career when she left a Global VP role at Twitter (now X) to join the NFL — an industry she had never worked in before.
“On paper, it looked smaller: one market, a smaller team, less revenue,” Prince explains. “In reality, it was a personal bet — that my experience in partnerships, audience growth, and platforms would translate, even without ‘sports tenure.'”
Two and a half months after joining the Rams, the team won Super Bowl XVI in their brand-new stadium. “I stopped optimizing for scale and started optimizing for impact,” she says. “The biggest career accelerators aren’t always promotions. Sometimes they’re pivots you haven’t technically learned yet — but know you’re ready for.”
3. Building Trust-First Leadership Cultures
Jamie Cygielman, Global Head of Dolls and President of American Girl at Mattel, believes effective leadership begins with psychological safety. “A leader is most effective when their team feels empowered,” she says. “I prioritize building trust among the team, respecting their passion and expertise, and leaning into mentorship and social connection.”
4. Leading With Courage, Not Fear
Anne Stephenson, President of Victoria’s Secret, anchors her leadership philosophy in what she calls “leaning into success” — proactively embracing challenges, focusing on core strengths, and maintaining a growth mindset rather than waiting for opportunities or fearing failure.
“When you know something isn’t working, it takes courage to walk away and move on,” Stephenson says. “It’s so easy to let fear hold you back, but pushing through it, rising above it, and allowing yourself to continue to evolve is a choice.”
Stephenson also emphasizes that culture begins with how leaders show up: “It’s not about preaching. It’s about walking the walk every day and making sure that people see it all: the mistakes and the successes.”
5. Radical Authenticity at Work
Jeremi Gorman, Chief Revenue Officer at Fanatics Advertising, credits her success to being unapologetically herself — a lesson she learned after years of trying to adapt her personality to fit different workplace cultures.
“I’ve tried on different ‘work personalities’ to fit a culture or quiet imposter syndrome,” she says. “It’s exhausting, it never quite fits, and teams always know.” Now, Gorman leads with her full personality. “When teams know the real person behind the title, they’re far more likely to be loyal and work their hardest to deliver results.”
The Full List: 2026’s 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders in Retail
The following women were selected for their professional achievements, commitment to innovation, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of female leaders. Honorees are listed alphabetically by company:
| Name | Title | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Barbra Sainsurin | Global CMO | Anthropologie |
| Aliya Sahai | Principal | Bernstein/Alliance Capital |
| Marisa Thalberg | EVP, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer | Catalyst Brands (JCPenney, Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer) |
| Ekta Chopra | Chief Digital and AI Officer | E.L.F. Beauty |
| Jeremi Gorman | Chief Revenue Officer | Fanatics Advertising |
| Faby Torres | Global CMO | 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 | CMO | Simon Property Group |
| Sara Blakely | Founder | Spanx |
| Tiffany Dufu | President | Tory Burch Foundation |
| Kelly Mahoney | CMO | Ulta Beauty |
| Anne Stephenson | President | Victoria’s Secret |
| Zarna Garg | Comedian, Screenwriter & Influencer | Independent |
Read the full bios and honoree profiles HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders list? The 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders is an annual list co-presented by Berns & Co. and the Women in Retail Leadership Circle, recognizing the most influential and innovative women executives in retail, fashion, beauty, sports, and entertainment. The 2026 edition is the fifth annual installment.
When is the 2026 list released? The 2026 list is released during Women’s History Month (March 2026).
Who is eligible for the 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders list? The list honors women executives across retail, fashion, beauty, sports, and entertainment who demonstrate exceptional leadership, a commitment to innovation, and a dedication to mentoring the next generation of female leaders.
Who presents the 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders list? The list is co-presented by Berns & Co. — a leading retail communications and strategy firm — and the Women in Retail Leadership Circle, a premier membership organization for senior women leaders in retail.
Which companies are represented in the 2026 honoree list? The 2026 honorees represent brands including Ulta Beauty, Mattel, Gap, Victoria’s Secret, E.L.F. Beauty, Michael Kors, Fanatics Advertising, Spanx, Pacsun, Sally Beauty, LoveSac, and the Los Angeles Rams, among others.
For media inquiries, please contact Berns & Co.
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