The Trailblazers
Transforming Opportunity Into Impact
Women in Power convenes the most influential leaders across fashion, beauty, retail, and beyond for an afternoon of meaningful conversation, connection, and inspiration. This year’s program will explore how today’s trailblazers are creating opportunities for impact — the responsibility and opportunity leaders have to create lasting impact while paving the way for future generations.
Topics
- Building the next generation of women leaders and closing the leadership gap
- Leading with innovation and purpose across beauty, fashion, retail and beyond
- Navigating personal and professional evolution, including motherhood and the realities of leadership
- Health, wellness and women’s longevity
- Creativity, entrepreneurship and building enduring brand
Letter From the Editor
These are tough days for women navigating the rocky terrain of corporate leadership. The number of female leaders in the c-suites of fashion, beauty, and retail companies is shrinking rather than growing, continuing a downward trajectory that WWD has been tracking for the last couple of years.
And yet, strides are being made. The women who are reaching the corner office are bringing others along with them. The founder landscape is rich with female entrepreneurs, and topics once taboo around the workplace — around health, family, and balance — are now top of mind for many.
This year, for the Fairchild Media Group’s 6th annual Women in Power Forum, our editors have decided to focus on the people making progress possible for all of us — hence, our theme: The Trailblazers: Transforming Opportunity Into Impact. With executives spanning fashion, footwear, beauty and entertainment, we’ll look at how today’s leaders are agents of change, paving the way for generations to come.
Confirmed speakers include Ulta Beauty CEO Kecia Steelman, joined by chief marketing officer Kelly Mahoney, chief merchandising & digital officer Lauren Brindley and chief retail officer Amiee Bayer-Thomas; New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist Hoda Kotb; Sweet July founder & CEO Ayesha Curry; Lafayette 148 CEO Deirdre Quinn; Revlon Group Holdings CEO Michelle Peluso; L’Oréal’s Christina Fair and Stephanie Kramer; The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. chief digital & marketing officer Aude Gandon; Merrell global brand president Janice Tennant; Edge Strategy founder Aniela Unguresan; and Manolo Blahnik CEO Kristina Blahnik.
Also appearing are top creatives including Emily Cole, executive vice president of Kenneth Cole Productions; Molly Howard, Valerie Macaulay and Meredith Melling, co-founders of La Ligne; designers Alejandra Rojas and Tracy Reese; and retail leaders including REI Co-op CEO Mary Beth Laughton; Elyse Walker, founder of the eponymous retailer; and New Balance’s DTC senior director, Gemma Rhodes. Drs. Elisa Port and Angela J. Lamb will join Wellspace for Women’s Cathy O’Brien for a conversation about the latest advancements in women’s health.
It promises to be a day filled with ideas and inspiration, where attendees can forge new connections across industries. I hope you’ll join us and add your voice to the conversation. I look forward to seeing you there.
Jenny B. Fine
Editor in Chief, Beauty Inc
Executive Editor, Beauty, WWD
Agenda
Click each block to view schedule
Subject to change
| Monday, September 14, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Breakfast and Registration |
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Block I |
| 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Networking Break |
| 11:00 AM - 12:20 PM | Block II |
| 12:20 PM - 2:00 PM | Power Lunch |
| 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM | Block III |
| 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM | Networking Break |
| 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM | Block IV |
More speakers to be announced!
Moderators
The Glasshouse 660 12th Ave Fl 6, New York, NY 10019
Presenting Partner
Partners
At the summit you'll get unparalleled access to:
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A high visibility celebration of the achievements and accomplishments of women in the fashion, beauty, retail and footwear industry
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High level conversation themed to the important women’s issues in the industry
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Insightful panels designed to create solutions and compel action
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Strategically designed program created to address all aspects of the industry’s challenges and include all voices within the community
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1:1 networking and relationship building opportunities with C-suite level executives across industry categories
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Breakfast and lunch
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A beauty and wellness gift bag
Brand/Retailer
SOLD OUT
Service Provider
SOLD OUT
Past Editorial Coverage
Trinny Woodall on How She Made It
The Trinny London founder recounted her journey, from selling socks and hosting a TV show to beauty brand founder.
WNBA, Coach Partnership Lifts Women’s Sports to Another Level
The brand signed a multiyear deal to be the handbag sponsor of the league and also features its players in its campaigns.
Martha Stewart on the Keys to Longevity
The media icon gave audience members a bit of advice: “Take a deep breath. Take a glass of Zubrówka vodka…and go on with the day lady.”
How Tracy Anderson Is Building a Wellness Ecosystem
The trainer discussed building the Tracy Anderson Method and led attendees through a movement practice.
Partnership Inquiries
Melissa Rocco
mrocco@fairchildfashion.com
Attendee Inquiries
Savannah Cihi
scihi@fairchildfashion.com