Meet the Honorees: 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders in Retail 2026
Meet all 25 honorees of the 2026 Most Inspirational Women Leaders list — full bios, career highlights, and quotes from top executives at Ulta Beauty, Mattel, Michael Kors, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, E.L.F. Beauty, and more.
This page is part of Berns & Co. and the Women in Retail Leadership Circle’s 5th Annual 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders recognition. ← Return to the full announcement.
The 2026 Honorees
Listed alphabetically by company name.
Barbra Sainsurin — Global CMO, Anthropologie
Barbra Sainsurin leads the global marketing vision across brand, performance, media, and customer analytics for Anthropologie, one of the world’s most beloved lifestyle brands. Under her leadership, Anthropologie’s marketing organization has evolved into an integrated system that connects culture, commerce and storytelling to long-term growth.
Known for building high-performing, cross-functional teams, Barbra champions curiosity, clarity, and shared ownership. She is passionate about developing emerging leaders and redefining how marketing organizations collaborate with creative, merchandising and technology partners to unlock sustainable growth.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“My proudest accomplishment was strengthening an integrated marketing, creative and merchandising system resilient enough to navigate nonstop disruption. From shifting tariffs to AI acceleration and rising media costs, seeing our teams stay aligned, adapt quickly, and still deliver meaningful results filled me with deep pride and gratitude.”
Aliya Sahai — Principal, Bernstein Private Wealth Management
Aliya Sahai is a Principal at Bernstein Private Wealth Management, where she advises ultra-high-net-worth individuals, foundations and endowments on investment and wealth planning strategies. She joined the firm in 2005 and became a Principal in 2009. Aliya earned her BS in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and began her career in consulting and fintech.
Aliya serves as Chair of the Women Leadership Council at AllianceBernstein and chairs the Trustees’ Council of Penn Women at the University of Pennsylvania. She also serves on the President’s Council of Sanctuary for Families, supporting job placement for survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“I am most proud of the work I have done for my Founder clients. While they are busy building the enterprise value of their companies in advance of an exit, I have been able to build their personal enterprise value with advanced investment and tax planning while protecting their legacy goals as it relates to their heirs and their charitable interests. And all of this was accomplished without losing sight of their personal values and criteria for success. Whether it was with QSBS planning or endowing a scholarship for future entrepreneurs, my efforts have made their eventual transactions that much more valuable for them financially and emotionally.”
Marisa Thalberg — EVP, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, Catalyst Brands
Marisa Thalberg is a globally recognized business strategist and brand builder, known for inspiring teams to drive consumer resonance, cultural relevance and business performance. From The Estée Lauder Companies to Taco Bell to Lowe’s, Marisa has moved with uncommon ease between industries. Now at Catalyst Brands, she is stewarding a portfolio of iconic American retailers: JCPenney, Brooks Brothers, Aéropostale, Lucky Brand and Nautica.
One of only 18 named to the inaugural Forbes CMO Hall of Fame, she is a five-time “World’s Most Influential CMOs” honoree. Marisa also co-hosts the industry podcast Brand New, founded the organization Executive Moms, serves on multiple boards, and is a regular speaker and university lecturer on the power of creativity to drive business.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“Proudest 2025 accomplishment: becoming Catalyst Brands! And setting a platform to ignite some of America’s most beloved retail brands to make fashion accessible for all. Within that, getting people talking about JCPenney again!”
Ekta Chopra — Chief Digital and AI Officer, E.L.F. Beauty
Ekta Chopra brings over 25 years of technology experience from private equity and retail companies. She joined E.L.F. Beauty in January 2016 as Chief Digital Officer and spearheads the company’s digital transformation, covering ecommerce, engineering, data ecosystems, enterprise applications, security, metaverse Web3 technologies, and the development of AI-driven products.
Before joining E.L.F. Beauty, Ekta served as Vice President of Technology at Charming Charlie, where she played a critical role in expanding the retailer from 17 to 120 stores nationwide. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding E.L.F. Beauty’s digital presence worldwide.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“My proudest moment was leading a full SAP transformation to go-live with zero business disruption while integrating rhode into our portfolio. We modernized our operating backbone without slowing growth, protected revenue and controls, and built a scalable, AI-ready foundation to power sustained, multi-brand global expansion.”
Jeremi Gorman — Chief Revenue Officer, Fanatics Advertising
Jeremi Gorman oversees Fanatics Advertising’s unified, cross-platform marketing and brand partnerships division, connecting brands with sports fans across content, commerce, and live experiences. Previously, she served as President of Worldwide Advertising for Netflix and as Chief Business Officer at Snap Inc. Earlier in her career, she held senior roles at Amazon, Yahoo!, Variety, and Monster.com.
Jeremi is an active angel investor and founding investor in Angel City Football Club. She serves on the boards of Women for Women International, GameSquare Holdings, Inc., and Revitate.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“Over the past year, what I’m most proud of professionally is how quickly and thoughtfully we launched Fanatics Advertising — moving fast, learning in real time, and iterating with intention. We didn’t just execute on an initial hypothesis; we stayed open to changing our minds, refining our approach, and creating a platform that genuinely serves both fans and brands. There is no greater professional validation than people choosing to ‘vote with their feet’ to follow a vision and a leader, and I’m incredibly proud of the caliber, integrity, and ambition of the team we’ve brought together to launch this business.”
Faby Torres — Global CMO, Gap
Faby Torres leads all marketing functions, creative, visual merchandising, and retail marketing for Gap’s global brand across stores and online. With over two decades of experience, she is dedicated to connecting Gap to key drivers of culture: music and fashion. Since joining Gap, she has championed campaigns and collaborations including Get Loose, Give Your Gift, and Better in Denim.
Before joining Gap, Faby held senior leadership roles at Nike, Apple and PepsiCo, where she spearheaded successful marketing campaigns and executed innovative strategies to expand market reach across global markets.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“Last year, I was incredibly proud to help launch Gap’s Better in Denim campaign with Katseye, which evolved into a viral sensation. It became our most-viewed, most-liked, and most-shared content ever. What made it truly special was the Gap team who brought it to life.”
Michelle Cordeiro Grant — Founder & CEO, Gorgie
Michelle Cordeiro Grant is a two-time founder and category builder with a track record of turning culture-shifting ideas into high-growth consumer brands. She is the Founder and CEO of Gorgie, a community-led energy drink brand that brings wellness, beauty and joy to the $20 billion-plus energy category. Founded in 2023, Gorgie went from idea to shelf in just six months and has quickly become the #1 fastest-growing energy brand in the U.S. natural channel.
Previously, Michelle founded Lively, a lingerie and lifestyle brand acquired by Wacoal in under three years. Today, she is also an angel investor, podcast host and mentor.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“There are honestly too many moments to choose from. I’m incredibly proud of our small-but-mighty team and everything we’ve accomplished together over the past year. To go from launching an energy drink that’s healthy enough for Whole Foods, to being the #1 fastest-growing energy drink in the natural channel, to now the #1 independent energy brand in Target is wild!”
Maureen Polo — CEO, Hello Sunshine
Maureen Polo leads Hello Sunshine, a multichannel media company dedicated to putting women at the center of every story. An award-winning executive with more than 20 years of experience scaling high-growth media businesses, Maureen became CEO in 2025 after joining the company in 2022 as Head of Direct-to-Consumer. Previously, she led marketing strategy for Warner Media’s entertainment portfolio and served as General Manager of Fullscreen. Her career spans Condé Nast, Allrecipes, and pioneering digital and branded entertainment initiatives.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“My greatest achievement in 2025 wasn’t a single milestone, but stepping into the CEO role of a high-growth, purpose-driven media company reshaping the narrative for women. I’m proud to drive impact with an innovative, high-performing team, develop exceptional leaders, and show my kids that you can pursue big ambition at work while staying truly present at home.”
Mary Ellen Coyne — CEO & President, J.Jill
Mary Ellen Coyne joined J.Jill in May 2025 as CEO and President and serves on the company’s Board of Directors. Previously, she was CEO of J.McLaughlin, where she revitalized the brand, accelerated growth, expanded retail locations, and enhanced ecommerce capabilities. She brings more than 30 years of executive retail leadership, with senior roles at Ralph Lauren, Victoria’s Secret, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor. Mary Ellen serves on the Board of Trustees for The Arch School in New York and is a member of the Women in Retail Leadership Circle.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“Being entrusted to serve as CEO and President of J.Jill was my greatest honor and proudest achievement last year. Together, we are reinvigorating the brand by strengthening our connection with customers, energizing our culture, and positioning the business for meaningful, long-term growth.”
Lizanne Kindler — Executive Chair & CEO, KnitWell Group
Lizanne Kindler leads KnitWell Group, one of America’s largest specialty apparel companies, comprising eight iconic women’s brands serving nearly 20 million women. She has navigated acquisitions, integrations and growth transformations, and has deep experience working with private equity partners, leveraging innovation and operational discipline to deliver results.
Beyond KnitWell Group, Lizanne serves as Chair of the Board of the Boston Fed and leads KWG’s partnerships with Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and Dress for Success, raising more than $100 million to support and empower women.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“My proudest accomplishment from last year was how our teams led through unprecedented change while staying grounded in our purpose — inspiring and caring for our customers and each other. We remained resilient and innovative, and continued building our brands for long-term growth and success.”
Jennifer Prince — Chief Commercial Officer, Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
Jennifer Prince oversees all business partnerships — including sales, activation and strategy — as well as the commercialization of the media business for the Los Angeles Rams. She previously spent over eight years at Twitter (now X) as Global VP and Head of Content Partnerships and Managing Director of Global Media & Entertainment Partnerships. Prior to Twitter, Jennifer was Head of Industry for Film & Television at Google and Head of YouTube Media & Entertainment.
Jennifer currently serves on the boards of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and Sugar23, while advising and investing in companies including PeakNIL and Lil Snack.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“It’s hard to pick just one, but three accomplishments stand out: Davante’s House with Taco Bell, which redefined immersive fan activations; Rams Mauicamp with the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, a partnership-led offseason tentpole; and the Rams–Zillow Draft Headquarters, which turned a major NFL moment into a purpose-driven, community-first activation.”
Mary Fox — President, LoveSac
Mary Fox brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience across global consumer and retail organizations. She previously served on LoveSac’s Board of Directors before assuming her current executive role. Prior to LoveSac, Mary was General Manager, North America at BIC and held senior leadership positions at L’Oréal focused on e-commerce and business transformation. She spent many years at Walmart in both U.S. and international roles, including Senior Vice President of Global Sourcing and Head of Mergers, Acquisitions and Strategy.
Mary co-founded the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (Cascale) with Patagonia and is recognized for building global brands, developing high-performing teams, and driving disciplined, profitable growth across multiple categories.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“My proudest achievement in the past year was leading our team to continue to deliver market share gains while launching breakthrough innovations. Despite challenging macro conditions, we maintained our agile approach, successfully navigated tariff pressures, and strengthened our position as the most innovative furniture brand in America.”
Stacy Lilien — President, LoveShackFancy
Stacy Lilien has helped shape LoveShackFancy’s global fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle brand known for its romantic aesthetic and immersive retail experiences. Joining the company in 2017, she was promoted to President in 2020 and has since overseen its growth to 25 stores worldwide. Stacy also helped launch LoveShackFancy Beauty, now the brand’s fastest-growing category. A Saks alum and respected industry leader, she has been featured in leading fashion publications including Vogue and WWD.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“I was especially proud of two standout partnerships: our sold-out collaborations with Victoria’s Secret on two VS Pink x LoveShackFancy collections, and a 360-degree campaign with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in partnership with Cotton!”
Jamie Cygielman — Global Head of Dolls & President of American Girl, Mattel
Jamie Cygielman serves as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Dolls at Mattel, leading a global team spanning brand strategy, product innovation, and marketing execution across Barbie, American Girl, Monster High, Polly Pocket, and licensed properties including Disney Princess, Wicked, and KPop Demon Hunters. She also oversees American Girl’s immersive retail experiences, a defining expression of the brand’s legacy and enduring customer connection.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“In the past year, we continued returning American Girl to growth, strengthening immersive retail experiences like ‘A Day to Remember’ that delight multigenerational fans. I also stepped into an expanded global leadership role, overseeing Mattel’s entire dolls portfolio and uniting our brands around innovation, cultural relevance, and stories that empower girls.”
Anne Walsh — President, North America Retail, Michael Kors
Anne Walsh has worked at Michael Kors since 2013 in roles of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Merchandising for North America Retail. She led strategies that drove significant growth in North America Outlets, surpassing $1 billion in annual revenue, and helped guide the e-commerce business to record performance. Anne has over 20 years of experience in buying and merchandising for leading American brands, with prior leadership roles at The Children’s Place, Kenneth Cole Productions, and Donna Karan International.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“I’m most proud of being an integral part of the team that redefined the Michael Kors strategy, while empowering talent and building strong teams that deliver results together.”
Kristin Juszczyk — Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Off Season
Kristin Juszczyk is the creative force behind Off Season, a fashion brand redefining the intersection of sports fandom and elevated design. What began as custom pieces for herself, friends and fellow NFL families quickly evolved into a nationally recognized brand. Partnering with fashion entrepreneur Emma Grede and launching official collaborations with the NFL and Fanatics, Kristin has built Off Season into a leader in premium sports-inspired fashion.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“Launching Off Season has been my proudest accomplishment. What began as a creative outlet grew into a brand embraced by women who love sports and fashion. Walking into a stadium and seeing fans wearing the collection was surreal. Watching something I designed at my ping-pong table come to life made every risk worthwhile.”
Chelsea Parke Goles — Founder, Creative Director & CEO, PARKE
Chelsea Parke Goles launched PARKE in 2022 with a clear vision: to create timeless, high-quality wardrobe staples designed for real life. Drawing from her background as a former athlete, she leads with focus, resilience and conviction. Known for building in public and listening closely to her community, Chelsea balances creative vision with operational rigor, positioning PARKE as a standout modern brand and herself as a next-generation retail leader.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“My proudest accomplishment from the past year was scaling Parke with intention while staying deeply rooted in our values. We experienced our most significant growth to date, expanding our community, launching our largest collections, and creating meaningful collaborations, all while maintaining our commitment to quality, design, and customer trust. Watching Parke evolve from an idea into a brand people genuinely connect with, without compromising who we are, has been the most rewarding achievement of my career.”
Brieane Olson — CEO, Pacsun
Brieane Olson leads Pacsun, a leading youth lifestyle retailer known for its innovative, purpose-driven brand strategy. With nearly two decades at the company, Brieane has driven transformational growth through bold merchandising, strategic partnerships, and a deep focus on Gen Z consumers. Appointed CEO in 2023 after serving as President, she accelerated digital-first campaigns, global expansion, and high-impact collaborations. She champions purpose-driven leadership, aligning business success with community investment, including multimillion-dollar support for Inglewood schools and localized outreach initiatives.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“My proudest moments have been launching our PS Hub app, a major milestone that brought our vision to life, and introducing the inaugural Pacsun Purpose Summit last year. Seeing both initiatives come to fruition and knowing the Summit will now continue annually has been incredibly rewarding and meaningful.”
Denise Paulonis — President & CEO, Sally Beauty Holdings
Denise Paulonis has served as CEO of Sally Beauty Holdings since October 2021 and has been on the Board of Directors since 2018. Prior to her current role, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Sprouts Farmers Market and as EVP and CFO of Michaels. Earlier in her career, she held various senior-level positions with PepsiCo and McKinsey & Company, after starting her career at Procter & Gamble. Denise has served on the Conagra Brands Board of Directors since August 2022 and currently chairs its Audit and Finance Committee.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“2025 was a year of tremendous progress for Sally Beauty Holdings. I am particularly proud of the launch of Sally Ignited, our comprehensive brand refresh strategy, positioning Sally Beauty as a true beauty destination. Our new store format is designed to encourage discovery and interaction, with bright spaces and discovery bars.”
Lee Sterling — CMO, Simon Property Group
Lee Sterling leads the strategic vision and execution of marketing across Simon’s Malls and Premium Outlets. Since rejoining Simon in 2023, she has elevated brand presence, accelerated digital engagement, and driven customer-centric innovation. With more than 25 years of experience, Sterling is known for building brands through transformation, creativity and operational excellence. Her background spans strategic marketing, brand development, digital and performance marketing, media, experiential programming, and public relations.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“One of last year’s defining moments was the launch of Simon+, our new omnichannel loyalty platform. Built through close collaboration across every marketing function, Simon+ unites Simon’s physical shopping destinations and digital ecosystem into a best-in-class program that reshapes how customers and retailers engage with Simon at scale.”
Sara Blakely — Founder, Spanx & Sneex
Sara Blakely is an inventor, a category creator, and an industry disruptor. Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and featured on the cover of Forbes as the youngest self-made female billionaire, Sara built Spanx from the ground up and has since launched Sneex, her new footwear brand. She has donated millions of dollars to support and elevate women and girls around the world through her foundation.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“My proudest moment in business was celebrating 25 years (of great rears!) with Spanx and one year of my new shoe brand, Sneex. I am grateful to have the opportunity to advocate for women everywhere through product.”
Tiffany Dufu — President, Tory Burch Foundation
Tiffany Dufu leads the Tory Burch Foundation, which increases women’s economic power by supporting entrepreneurs to build businesses that last. She is the author of the bestselling book Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less and has been named to Entrepreneur’s 100 Powerful Women. Tiffany has raised over $25 million toward the cause of women and girls and is the founder of The Cru, a peer coaching tech company acquired by Luminary in 2023.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“I’m most proud of the women entrepreneurs in the Tory Burch Foundation community who are growing, hiring, and strengthening local economies through their businesses. Their momentum inspired an audacious five-year goal: to help unlock $1 billion in economic impact.”
Kelly Mahoney — CMO, Ulta Beauty
Kelly Mahoney leads Ulta Beauty’s brand marketing strategy and oversees integrated marketing, creative, public relations, social and influencer marketing, media planning, and the UB Media retail media network. She previously architected and scaled the Ulta Beauty Rewards Loyalty program into a powerful growth engine, driving engagement, lifetime value, and more than 95% of company sales. Kelly has held several senior marketing and strategy leadership roles since joining Ulta Beauty in 2015 and serves on the boards of Ebbo and Metropolitan Family Services.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“My proudest accomplishment in the last year was accelerating Ulta Beauty’s evolution from a traditional retailer into a modern, purpose-led lifestyle brand — fundamentally redefining our role in culture and building marketing into a true growth engine that continues to deepen loyalty, strengthen relevance and drive long-term business value.”
Anne Stephenson — President, Victoria’s Secret
Anne Stephenson brings more than 25 years of product-driven leadership to Victoria’s Secret, one of the world’s most iconic brands. She most recently served as Chief Merchandising Officer at Victoria’s Secret & Co., where she set the product vision and led merchandising strategy across the company’s portfolio. Before rejoining Victoria’s Secret in 2023, Anne held chief merchant roles at FullBeauty Brands and Torrid, where she earned a reputation for bold decision-making, brand clarity, and delivering results through product that resonates.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“What I am proudest of this year is the incredible spark and grit of this team. As we transformed the business, we stayed quick on our feet, created boldly and brought real heart to every challenge. We moved quickly, reimagined our product, shifted resources with intention and kept our energy, curiosity and connection.”
Zarna Garg — Comedian, Screenwriter & Influencer
Zarna Garg is the world’s biggest Indian immigrant mom comedian. She burst onto the scene with her comedy specials One in a Billion and Practical People Win, her indie film A Nice Indian Boy, her widely popular Zarna Garg Family Podcast, and her New York Times bestselling memoir, This American Woman. She received the inaugural Instagram Rings Award, honoring the world’s top 25 creators.
On her proudest accomplishment:
“My proudest 2025 achievement was receiving the first-ever Instagram Rings Award for the 25 most authentic and original creators worldwide. The Oscars of the Internet! My comedy first took off online, where I could be my authentic, crazy self; the ticket lines followed.”
About This Recognition
The 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders list is presented annually by Berns & Co. in partnership with the Women in Retail Leadership Circle during Women’s History Month. Now in its fifth year, the list honors visionary women executives who are driving innovation, leading with purpose, and mentoring the next generation of female leaders across retail, fashion, beauty, sports, and entertainment.
Berns & Co.
Credit: Jessica Binns