A trio of business networks and the Women in Retail Leadership Circle has unveiled the fourth annual list of the 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders. The list honors trailblazing women leaders who are making a significant impact in retail, fashion, technology, beauty and wellness, and social commerce and culture, those organizations say.
This year’s honorees are:
- Alexis Androulakis and Dr. Christina Basias Androulakis, The Lipstick Lesbians
- Amiee Bayer-Thomas, Chief Retail Officer, Ulta Beauty
- Claudia Cividino, President, Jared Jewelers
- Sarah Clarke, Chief Supply Chain and Technology Officer, AEO Inc. (American Eagle Outfitters)
- Louise Clements, CMO, WorkJam
- Kristen D’Arcy, CMO, True Religion
- Mina Fader, Managing Director, Jay H. Baker Retailing Center, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
- NJ Falk, Managing Partner, APL
- Jennifer Fisher, Founder and Creative Director, Jennifer Fisher Jewelry
- Anne Fulenwider and Monica Molenaar, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Alloy Women’s Health
- Tanya Golesic, CEO, Mackage/APP Group
- Carol Hamilton, President – Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Development & West Coast Headquarters, L’Oréal USA
- Shea Jensen, President of North America, Urban Outfitters
- Marina Larroudé, CCO and Co-Founder, Larroudé
- Stacy London, TV Personality, Designer, Stylist and Midlife Advocate
- Ali Mejia, Co-Founder, Eberjey
- Nicola Mendelsohn, Head of Global Business Group, Meta
- Andy Muir, CFO, SKIMS
- Anu Narayanan, President, Women’s and Home, Anthropologie Group
- Alyse Nelson, President and CEO, Vital Voices Global Partnership
- Nicole Netland, Senior Director of UX Design & Research, Google Shopping
- Karen Riley-Grant, CMO, Vuori
- Hillary Super, CEO, Victoria’s Secret & Co.
- Latriece Watkins, Executive Vice President – Chief Merchandising Officer, Walmart US
- Sarah Wetenhall, Owner and CEO, The Colony Palm Beach
The honorees were selected by three networks—the Retail Influencer Network, The DealmakeHers and The Z Suite—in partnership with the Women in Retail Leadership Circle.
“We are proud to spotlight these visionary women who are pushing boundaries, breaking barriers and reshaping their industries,” said Stacy Berns, President of Berns Communications Group and founder of the Retail Influencer Network, The DealmakeHers and The Z Suite. “Their leadership, creativity and commitment to lifting up others are not only driving progress within their organizations, but also redefining the future of commerce. This list is more than a celebration of their success—it’s inspiration for the next generation of female leaders to rise and make an impact.”
Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
