The Women Founders Changing How We Work, Live, and Lead

From reimagining leadership to building better ways to live and work, these founders are changing the game—and they’re doing it with heart, clarity, and purpose.

In this feature, inspiring entrepreneurs share the powerful impact they hope to make in the world—and the tangible ways they’re already seeing that impact take shape. Whether it’s shifting culture, improving systems, or helping others lead with more intention, their work is guiding us toward a more thoughtful and equitable future.

Let their stories remind you that change doesn’t have to be loud to be revolutionary—and that big missions often start with a single, bold idea.

Jennifer Ryan  

CEO & Co-Founder of Croux, a labor marketplace that connects working class Americans to flexible work in cities across America's Heartland. 

We want to redefine what dignity in work looks like, especially in overlooked and underestimated spaces and places. That means creating real economic opportunity for working class Americans in cities that others ignore, building tools that give people control over when and how they work, and proving that flexibility doesn't have to mean instability. At Croux, we're not just changing how people clock in—we're changing how they show up for their families, futures, communities, and selves.

We have put millions of dollars into the hands of working class Americans by connecting them with flexible work they otherwise would not have had access to. This doesn't mean Croux has already been successful, but that there's a need and we've been able to showcase—in a small way—that we are the solution to support the workers that keep America running. 

Yemi Oluseun

Founder & Principal Strategist of The Change Hive, a boutique consulting firm that partners with B2B SaaS and service businesses to plug the leaks in their customer journeys.

I aim to establish sustainable success as the new standard. I believe more women founders—and underestimated operators—deserve businesses that retain what they work so hard to build. My mission is to shift the focus from flashy acquisition to the quieter power of retention-led growth: deeper client relationships, recurring revenue, and less burnout. 

After they’ve applied our frameworks, clients have reported up to a 40% increase in net revenue retention, a 15–35% reduction in churn, and faster exits. They also say they sleep better, sell smarter, and scale with peace.

Jennifer Henderson

Founder & CEO of Tilt, a pioneering leave management software company that helps HR teams and employees confidently navigate leaves of absence by combining powerful automation with expert human support.

I started Tilt because I saw firsthand how broken, confusing, and dehumanizing the leave experience could be, both for employees and the HR teams trying to support them. As a parent, I kept thinking: What if my kids grow up in a world where leave is still burdened by outdated stigmas and treated like a logistical hassle instead of a human experience? Needing time away shouldn’t mean feeling guilty, afraid, or isolated, but should be met with support, clarity, and care. No one should have to choose between their health, their family, and their job. That vision drives us every day.

We know our mission is working when HR leaders say they finally feel peace of mind during employee leaves and when employees share that they felt genuinely cared for in deeply personal moments.

Linda Du  

Co-Founder & CEO of Moola Money, a financial wellness platform helping millennials in the UK build smarter money habits through personalized, AI-powered guidance. 

At Moola, we're proving that a lean, AI-enabled team can outperform traditional setups, working remotely, flexibly, and with purpose. Our Gen Z team members are empowered to lead real projects, supported through mentorship, and trusted to deliver without rigid policies or office hours.

We know it’s working because our mostly remote and nomadic part-time team—equipped with AI assistants—consistently delivers at the level of full-time counterparts while learning, growing, and staying energized. Our recent strategy retreat in Brighton reinforced our culture and in-person connectivity, showing that flexibility and deep collaboration can coexist.

Lizzy Kolar

CEO & Co-Founder of Scope Zero, which created the Carbon Savings Account® (CSA), boosting employee financial well-being and driving corporate impact goals.

At Scope Zero, we’re redefining climate action as a shared responsibility between individuals and the organizations they work for. Our Carbon Savings Account® (CSA) transforms everyday home and transportation upgrades into high-impact, cost-saving climate solutions—empowering employees while helping companies tackle their hard-to-abate commute and work-from-home emissions at scale. We're proud to help employers lead with purpose, turning benefits into a force for measurable, lasting change.

We’ve been able to build a company that is committed to making sustainable and affordable living not just possible, but practical—for everyone. We’re already helping CSA members in nearly 20 countries save thousands of dollars per year and cut personal carbon emissions through CSA-eligible upgrades. Ultimately, the CSA will save $300 billion per year in utility bills and fuel expenses, which is the carbon equivalent of removing 125 million cars from the road.

Jennifer Xia Spradling (she / her)

Founder & Co-CEO of FreeWill, helping nonprofits fundraise from large, complex sources of wealth, including estate plans and appreciated assets. 

FreeWill wants to make estate planning less scary. Making an estate plan is one of the most intrinsically selfless things you can do. It’s not for you. It’s for the world after you are gone, making sure the people and causes you care about the most will be looked after. I want to help democratize the ability to create lasting legacy for people and charities alike.

We’ve helped more than 1.2 million Americans complete their estate plans, driving more than $12 billion in commitments to good causes. The resounding feedback is that writing a will was much easier, and more joyful (yes, joyful!) than folks expected. We want to move a trillion dollars to charity, but even when we get there, the work will just be getting started.

Sheri Atwood  

Founder & CEO of SupportPay, pioneering modern family finances; automating the stressful, time-consuming process of sharing expenses; tracking payments; and managing schedules across households—all while ending family fights over money.

Our goal is to dramatically change how families navigate shared expenses. Economically, we’re entering an era of incredibly tight, interconnected budgets, so introducing a new path for family financial management will help people effectively coordinate with loved ones before tempers run high.

Use of our platform makes it 90% more likely that users will exchange funds for a given expense. We’ve seen great success in simplifying complex processes like child support management, and I’m eager to see similar results as we help people navigate other points of financial tension, like family loans, caregiving, and multi-generational living.

Carly Jefferson  

Founder of Uncomplicated Brands, helping tech startups turn strategy into story and amplify it with AI, enabling small teams to compete at enterprise level.

I help founders figure out what makes them unique and use AI to amplify it. My mission is making sure no founder gets left behind during this AI revolution. We're all building the future right now, and I want everyone using technology to create the change they actually want to see.

I'm successful when my clients have systems that let them go faster, whether that’s getting to market faster or getting results faster, allowing, for example, a two-person team to compete at an enterprise level. Success also looks like founders confidently using what makes them unique instead of trying to be like everyone else.

Nicole L. Leon  

Founder of L. Leon Virtual Assistance, a boutique virtual support business providing emotionally intelligent executive support to overwhelmed founders. 

I started L. Leon VA because I needed flexibility and a way to stay present in my own life. It’s grown into something that helps other people do the same. I want to create space for women who are always holding it together for everyone but themselves. The ones who’ve been operating in overdrive for so long that they've forgotten what it feels like to move with ease or make a decision without pressure. Through my work, I hope to remind them they’re allowed to be supported, that rest isn’t a reward, and that they don’t have to earn help by hitting a wall. I want to shift how women lead by reminding them they can do it without carrying the whole load alone.

I know I’ve succeeded when someone tells me they finally took a real day off; when they say, “I didn’t check my email once and nothing fell apart;” when they go from chaos to calm—not because everything’s perfect, but because they finally have space to breathe.

Emily Reza  

Founder & Lead Brand Strategist of 4th and Crawford, a creative communications agency amplifying athletes and changemakers who are using their platforms for good. 

We hope to be a catalyst for the change people want to see in the world. Whether it’s our clients, the brands they partner with, or our own team, we aim to inspire action rooted in purpose. We believe great leaders are the ones who care most about a problem and the people affected by it, and we’re committed to walking alongside them in this legacy-building work that impacts future generations. 

We know our mission is working when our clients step into their voice, use their platforms to drive change, and invite others to do the same. From pro athletes launching community programs to small businesses championing overlooked stories, we’ve seen our work ignite action that outlives any single campaign.

Amanda Pearce  

Owner of Funding For Good, Inc., providing coaching and consulting services for growth and expert guidance to grow a thriving nonprofit, business, or consulting practice without the burnout. 

I hope to share the reality that a life-work balance is possible. I know first hand how detrimental overworking can be—and I want to show others that there is a way to have your health and a thriving business. Taking care of ourselves as leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers means we can be a resource to those we support and serve without neglecting ourselves in the process.

I have seen business owners plan for their own health within their business structure. I see people intentionally creating systems within their lives and businesses to support more balance. When the people I work with are scheduling time off; setting boundaries; saying no; prioritizing self, family, and rest; and feeling empowered to do so, that’s how I know I’m succeeding.

Jesse Clarke (she/her) 🏳️‍🌈🇨🇦

Founder of JN Clarke Consulting, helping Canadian changemakers win with the government.

As a queer, feminist founder, I'm committed to building a new way of making change. My unique identity, perspective, and values are my and my clients' greatest assets. I am working to disrupt the traditional public affairs and government relations industry and to put the best tools in the hands of as many changemakers as possible. 

I am building a movement of diverse Canadian social impact leaders who feel confident and impactful in their work with the government. I have trained dozens of leaders in my strategic empathy approach, and I want to build a platform to train thousands more. 

Christina Blacken  

Founder and Chief Narrative Strategist of The New Quo, a social impact and behavior change training company that's trained 17 thousand people on how to use personal storytelling that uses neuroscience and inclusion techniques to improve trust, leadership, and community building skills within organizations and communities.

Our mission is to create a status-quo-breaking paradigm for leadership that honors our needs of belonging, acceptance, autonomy, creativity, and justice just as much as it does our material and physical needs. We are passionate about helping every person create an authentic approach to collective and liberatory leadership that’s based on radical self-acceptance and new self-narratives beyond the outdated and unjust cultural myths of power. In this way, we create outcomes that benefit us all in what we make, say, and do in our day-to-day lives.

Half of our daily habits are automatic and unconscious, often leading to oppressive dynamics in how we lead one another and create together. At The New Quo, we’re proud that our work breaks this automatic pattern through original, entertaining trainings, events, and educational content that creates measurable behavior change within organizations and communities. Ninety-five percent of participants note an improvement in their communication and leadership skills.

Monica Rivera  

Personal Brand & Communications Strategist of YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!, a visibility and communications consultancy helping underestimated founders and professionals turn their personal brand into their greatest business asset through public speaking, storytelling, and strategic thought leadership.

I help founders and career professionals use public speaking and personal branding as strategic tools to grow their influence, attract opportunities, and lead with clarity. I believe visibility shouldn’t be reserved for the loudest voice in the room. It belongs to those with real expertise and lived experience who are ready to be seen, heard, and paid accordingly.

I know I’ve succeeded when my clients win pitch competitions, land TEDx talks, get invited to speak at major companies, or finally get the yes they’ve dreamed of—not because they changed who they are, but because they owned it fully. They are proud of not just who they are, but the journey it took to get there.

Nicole Cuervo  

Founder & CEO of Springrose, an intimates brand developing adaptive apparel that improves quality of life for women with limited mobility.

We seek to improve the quality of life for women with limited mobility so that they can thrive. Our adaptive bras help women get dressed painlessly, independently, and with dignity, which means they'll have more time and energy to spend on the things that matter to them. 

We get kind, thoughtful messages from our customers sharing how our products have made a meaningful difference in their lives. It's those stories that keep us going.

Catherine Valega  

Founder of Green Bee Advisory, a bespoke wealth and tax management boutique for women.

I help my clients see the impact of their financial decisions in real time. We take esoteric financial and investing concepts and make them come to life visually so that they can decide what is right for them, their business, and their family. 

My clients are driven to hit the goals we need them to hit in order to achieve what they want financially. They just need help seeing the gaps in their plan. Once I point out what needs to be fixed, they are on it. I love working with hard-working execs and entrepreneurs because they tend to be goal-driven, super feisty, and motivated to succeed. That energizes me!

Luzy D King, CPFI, MBA.  

CEO & Founder of Say Hola Wealth, a financial wellness platform and coaching company helping first-generation women heal financial trauma, grow their net worth, and build wealth with confidence, on their own terms.

We want to normalize wealth-building for first-generation women so they can lead with confidence, live without financial fear, and work because they want to—not because they have to. Our goal is to create a ripple effect where financial literacy, investing, and self-worth go hand in hand across communities and generations.

We’ve helped 233 first-generation women start investing and begin their FIRE journey. Many of those women are now leaving toxic workplaces behind, leading financial conversations within their families, and teaching their children these same principles.

We believe wealth-building is a form of healing. Our work is rooted in the idea that when first-generation women feel seen, supported, and financially educated, they don’t just transform their bank accounts. They transform what’s possible for generations to come.

Palveshey Tariq  

Founder of Alternative Coaching Methods, redefining health and wealth through plant medicine, helping high achievers transform into high performers.

I aim to inspire people to be healthy, wealthy, wise, and balanced—to lead from a place of inner alignment rather than external pressure. Whether at work, at home, or in leadership, my impact lies in helping others operate with clarity, vitality, and purpose so they don't just perform, but thrive.

I’ll know my mission has been successful when health—instead of burnout disguised as ambition—becomes the new status symbol. When we stop glorifying hustle culture and instead create space to understand the anxiety, scarcity mindset, and trauma driving competition in the workplace. I’ve already seen this shift begin in the way people I work with start choosing rest without guilt, leading with presence, and redefining success on their own terms.

Catalina Parker

Co-Founder & CEO of Relatable Nonprofit, empowering purpose-driven professionals to turn their nonprofit expertise into thriving consulting businesses so they can create meaningful impact on their own terms.

I want nonprofit professionals to know they don’t have to stay stuck, burned out, or underpaid to do meaningful work. Through the Relatable Nonprofit Mentorship Program, we’re showing them a new way forward—one that honors both their values and their lives.

I know it’s working when someone tells me, “I didn’t even know this was an option and now I’ll never go back.” Every person who walks away from a toxic job and builds a business on their own terms is proof we’re changing what’s possible in the nonprofit sector.

Rachel Werner, MPA, GPC, PMP  

Principal at MyFedTrainer, offering expert-led grant compliance training that answers common questions—and shows you how to put it into practice.

The act of managing grants (especially federal grants) is extremely daunting. Many people do not understand the rules and how best to maximize their work to be more effective. We hope to help take the stress out of the grant management experience so administrators and managers can become confident in saving time and money and in ensuring they can comply with complex grant compliance rules and regulations.

When we receive positive feedback on our trainings and also have repeat customers who want to partake in additional trainings, I know I’m succeeding.

Lorraine Schuchart, APR  

Founder & CEO of Prosper for Purpose, a brand agency for visionary leaders who want to build peerless, profitable brands for purpose-driven leaders and organizations.

At Prosper for Purpose, I work to help purpose-driven leaders build brands that not only grow their organizations, but also create lasting positive impact; brands that inspire trust, influence, and meaningful connection. I hope to shift the way people work, live, and lead by showing that success and service can—and should—go hand in hand.

As a Certified B Corporation, I measure our success through the business results we help our clients achieve and the social and environmental impact we create together—metrics we track as part of our B Impact Assessment. I see our mission in action every time a client gains clarity, amplifies their influence, and uses their brand to drive meaningful change in their communities and industries.

Mari Milenkovic  

CEO & Founder of With Mari, a strategic marketing consultancy and retreat brand that empowers female founders to grow their businesses sustainably through personalized strategy, systems, and high-touch support. 

I’m here to make hustle worth it. I help founders turn relentless effort into real momentum that’s rooted in strategy, driven by clarity, and sustained by systems so their work fuels their life—not the other way around.

I know my mission has been successful every time I see founders finally step out of overwhelm and back into the work they love, when they can wrap their arms around their marketing and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Hawwa M.  

Founder & CEO of Pink Trumpet, providing project management and communications support for mission-driven work so that good ideas for social change move from concept to completion.

I want people to understand that doing good shouldn’t be an afterthought. The nonprofit sector doesn’t and shouldn’t exist in a silo; everyone has a role to play in social impact. Pink Trumpet is here to help more people recognize their responsibility and capacity to contribute to meaningful change.

I’ve seen it in action through the projects I’ve led, such as guaranteed income pilots and values-aligned initiatives that serve as blueprints for social good. To date, I’ve helped move more than $7 million in support of mission-driven work globally.

Sydney de Arenas Sherman  

Founder & CEO of The Hive, The Etho, Etho Interiors, Summit Chasers Network, and more. The team behind your growth, empowering entrepreneurs and elevating businesses.

I want people to experience career success without sacrificing a life worth living. My goal through The Hive is to help redefine what success looks like, making space for ambition and well-being; leadership and rest; impact and joy.

I see our impact when founders share that they’re not only growing their businesses, but also feeling more present, fulfilled, and aligned in their lives. 

Caitlin Daley  

Founder of Face The Tiger, a bold boutique consultancy, helping entrepreneurial women to live fully as their true selves, unapologetically and with unwavering courage.

The impact I hope to make on the way people work, live, and lead is to drive belief. When I help people believe in their potential, I can also spread goodness throughout the country and the world. I can create better spaces for community, people, animals, and nature.

It took me years to realize the freedom that comes with waking up each day knowing that the day is yours to shape—and authentically believing it's possible to design your life instead of react to it. The ripple effect of seeing my clients make money from—and invest their time in—the things they truly enjoy doing is how I know I'm making an impact.

Adebukola Ajao

Digital Marketing Agency Founder of B.D.Y. CONSULT LLC, a marketing agency providing small businesses and badass brands with creative and efficient marketing services—without breaking the bank, of course.

I want to help people work smarter—not harder—by showing them how to build intentional brands that attract opportunities, customers, and funding without breaking the bank. My goal is to shift how entrepreneurs approach marketing and financing by helping them find fundable and equitable ways to grow their businesses sustainably. Through storytelling, strategy, and systems, I empower them to create lasting impact with clarity and confidence.

I know my mission is working because dozens of businesses I’ve supported have unlocked millions of dollars in funding. This includes grants, pitch competitions, and investments that became the gateway to stronger marketing and sustainable growth. I’ve seen entrepreneurs go from struggling to confidently building brands that attract customers and capital.

Courtney Cochran  

Founder & Breathwork Coach of Surge Flow Breath, a performance-focused breathwork coaching company helping high achievers regulate their nervous systems, build resilience, and unlock mental clarity. 

I want to make nervous system regulation as common as hitting the gym or checking email. When people know how to work with their breath, they lead with more clarity, show up with more energy, and stop letting stress run the show.

I know I’m succeeding when clients see transformations beyond what they expected.

One client, for example, had been experiencing unexplained breathing difficulties. With our help, she was able to retrain her breath, safely transition off prescribed medication, and release emotional blockages, ultimately leading to a long-awaited pregnancy.

Chen Lizra  

Founder & Somatic Coach of Power of Somatic Intelligence, a world leader in helping high-achieving women heal what is blocking them from reaching bold impact and in opening to love relationships through embodiment work and somatic coaching.

For the 70% of adults unknowingly carrying emotional trauma in their bodies—often without the skills to heal and get unstuck—that trauma silently shapes careers and relationships. After spending three decades discovering and developing a powerful solution, my mission is to make it easily accessible to those who need it most.

In just a few months, my clients often experience life-changing results—opening to love, receiving promotions, finding their voice, or getting a raise—because they’re doing deep inner work and aligning with their truth. We lead with compassion, but we’re also a data-driven company that tracks measurable progress behind the scenes. While the numbers guide us, we stay fully present with each client, meeting them emotionally every step of the way.

Clara Ma  

Founder & CEO of Ask a Chief of Staff, a boutique executive search and career development platform that places strategic operators—primarily Chiefs of Staff—into high-impact roles at fast-growing companies. 

I want to redefine what modern leadership looks like by elevating Chiefs of Staff—especially women and people of color—into strategic roles that shape how companies operate and grow. By supporting these operators with intentional hiring, mentorship, and community, we’re helping companies build leadership teams that are not only effective, but also more inclusive and human-centered.

We’ve placed dozens of Chiefs of Staff in high-impact roles. Many of them have since been promoted to COO, Head of Strategy, or founder themselves. Our growing paid community of operators is proof that this role isn’t a stepping stone—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of transformative leaders.

Cydnee DeToy  

Founder & CEO of Cydnee DeToy Coaching, equipping ambitious millennial women with the mindsets and strategies to create and thrive in the career they want through a mix of one-on-one coaching, group programs, and speaking.

I help ambitious women get to know themselves more deeply so they can stop chasing what they should do and start building careers rooted in who they truly are. Through our work, they clarify what fuels them, what they’re great at, and what kind of life they want. Then, they align their professional path accordingly. Their career becomes an expression of their values—not a source of frustration, exhaustion or disappointment—and the ripple effect touches how they live, lead, and show up in the world.

I know my work is making an impact when clients not only land new jobs, launch businesses, or finally take that dreamed-of sabbatical, but when they start making bold career (and life!) decisions with conviction and trust. They understand what matters, own what they bring to the table, and move forward with a sense of ease and purpose.

Liz Morrison  

Story Coach & Consultant of Liz Morrison Strategic Storytelling, guiding ambitious women and purpose-driven leaders to navigate pivotal moments by uncovering the wisdom in their personal stories—transforming uncertainty into clarity, self-doubt into confidence, and individual vision into meaningful impact.

My mission is to make it commonplace for people to pause and explore the wisdom already held within their lived experiences—their past stories (what's shaped them), their present stories (what opportunities exist now), and their possible stories (what impact they want to create in the world). Through this exploration, they recognize when they're stuck in someone else's story or in a societal narrative that no longer serves them, allowing them to reclaim the agency to become the author of their own life. This work is both transformational and joyful. 

My clients consistently achieve tangible goals like landing dream jobs, launching businesses, or confidently presenting on stage. Most meaningfully, I watch them break free from limiting narratives and step fully into their unique gifts and guiding beliefs, then ripple this work outward by creating storytelling spaces for their own teams, families, and communities—turning individual transformation into collective impact.

Kellie Okonek  

Founder & CEO, Vitality Architect of Iron Lady Consulting, helping companies and leaders move from functioning to flourishing. 

I help people remember that vitality is our natural state, and that organizations and lives designed for flourishing can unlock performance beyond what’s possible through force alone. I want leaders to feel how clarity, integration, and alignment transform work into something energizing and deeply human. My impact is helping people shift from functioning to flourishing so that what once felt impossible becomes inevitable.

I know my mission is working when people tell me they feel more alive, motivated, balanced, and capable than they ever imagined—and when teams unlock capacity and creativity that once felt impossible. Watching people shift from burnout to inspired enthusiasm—and from force to flow—is proof enough for me.

Catharine Montgomery, MBA  

Founder & CEO of Better Together Agency, a Black woman-founded, full-service, AI-forward communications agency that creates integrated campaigns for mission-driven work.

I want to create a world where technology serves everyone, especially those who have been historically excluded. Through the Better Together Agency, I'm working to expose and address the biases in AI that perpetuate inequality while helping organizations build communications strategies that drive real social change.

I know our mission is working because our AI bias research has influenced how major tech companies approach inclusive innovation. We've also won seven industry awards, including Agency of the Year. When 33% of consumers tell us they'd abandon products with biased AI and companies start changing their development processes based on our findings, real change is happening.

Amanda Hofman  

Chief Swag Officer of Go To Market - Anti-Boring Branded Merchandise, turning thoughtful design into tangible brand love and teaching our clients that merch can be a powerful sales and marketing tool—and a way to build real community around your brand.

I chose this industry because it starts with joy. I want our merch to be among the most joyful parts of someone’s business—a part that makes their team light up, their customers feel seen, and their community feel proud. By creating playful, beautiful, values-forward swag, I hope people feel more joy in their work, no matter what that work is.

I know it’s working when I see people wear their merch with genuine pride. When they gift it, share it, and see their values reflected back to them—that’s the magic.

Kelly Hubbell

Founder & CEO of Sage Haus, helping busy parents find and hire support systems (like house managers and family assistants) and create home systems that lighten the mental load and bring balance back.

At Sage Haus, we’re working toward a systemic shift in how families—especially women—view, seek, and utilize household support. We believe delegation is a form of leadership—and our goal is to make it the norm, not the exception. When families are supported, everyone thrives.

We’ll know our mission is working when the phrases “house manager” and “family assistant” are as familiar and normalized as the word “nanny.” Already, we’ve seen the ripple effect—busy parents sharing that their home finally runs smoothly, that they feel present again, and that asking for help no longer feels radical.

Grace Nguyen  

Founder & CEO of LOUPN, an inclusive jewelry brand intended to encourage positivity, confidence, and love. 

I hope to brighten people's lives and their mindset through LOUPN. At the core of our belief is that what goes around comes around—that when your intentions are genuine and your actions are based on love, that energy will come back to you. It may be a slow process, but we hope encouraging genuine acts of kindness will empower our audience to impact their smaller, immediate communities (friends, families, and colleagues) in a positive way. 

I know that our mission has been successful when I look at the community we're building. Our team has shared that their lives have brightened by working with our brand; they've become more positive and peaceful; and a better mom, dad, and friend. 

Nikki Innocent  

Founder & CEO of Inclusive Leadership Collective, a workplace culture and wellbeing incubator focused on authenticity and belonging for modern leaders.

I’m reimagining the future of work culture by helping people (especially those who’ve been systemically excluded) reclaim their inherent power, unique voice, and authenticity in professional spaces. In turn, this cultivates environments of collective healing, deep resilience, and profound success. My work equips individuals and organizations with tools, experiences, and practices to replace burnout and silence with leadership grounded in equity, connection, and sustainable progress. 

When people tell me, “I finally feel seen,” or “I’ve never said that out loud before” with a deep sense of relief and healing, I know we’re disrupting the status quo. I once had a corporate client say, ”This is the first time in my life I've felt like a human and not a robot." From corporate teams shifting to a more human-centric leadership approach to individuals reclaiming their worth after harmful or toxic work experiences, the ripple effects speak for themselves.

Charmaine G.  

Founder & CEO of Chapter tOO, LLC, a data-backed, people-first coaching and consulting practice, helping organizations and people design their best chapters by optimizing performance, engagement, and organizational processes.

The impact I hope to make is teaching people how to take action with intention—not just to get results, but to understand how their choices shape the people and systems around them. When our work is done, they carry forward language, tools, and sharper discernment. They stop reacting purely from emotion and learn to pause. 

I know it’s working when someone tells me they paused before reacting and made a different choice because of something they learned with me. I’ve heard, “Your words were in my head,” but more powerfully, I’ve watched people shift how they hold space, challenge norms, and lead others. That kind of change doesn’t need credit; it just needs to continue. 

Melinda Wang  

Founder of MW Projects LLC, multi-hyphenate corporate lawyer, contemporary art curator, strategic advisor, educator, entrepreneur and investor.

I hope to inspire others to embrace multi-hyphenate careers and give themselves permission to pursue different paths. In balancing my careers in the seemingly disparate fields of corporate law, contemporary art, and strategic consulting, I’ve found that a non-linear path actually leads to deeper expertise, richer creativity, and more meaningful impact within each role.

I’ve seen the impact most clearly when someone tells me that hearing about my path gave them the confidence to rethink their own. Friends, colleagues, and former students have reached out to say they finally started the side project they’d shelved, launched a career in a new field, or stopped apologizing for wanting to do more than one thing. 

Vicki Bartel, Brand/Event Photographer r  

Brand Photographer of Vicki Bartel Photography, helping female founders, industry leaders, and CEOs amplify their impact with high-end, scroll-stopping visuals.

When women step into the spotlight of their brand, everything changes: how they lead, how they show up, how much they earn, and the impact they leave behind. My photography helps them use visibility as a strategy for growth, authority, and legacy.

I know something has shifted when a woman tells me her photos finally feel like her and then uses them to land speaking gigs, press, and aligned clients. Visibility becomes momentum—and that’s when revenue, reach, and confidence follow.

Cynthia H.

Co-Founder & CEO of Olipaca, a regenerative luxury brand sourcing traceable alpaca products directly from Andean artisans, co-creating heirloom garments with Indigenous weavers in Peru to preserve ancestral knowledge, protect biodiversity, and build dignity-driven wealth from the ground up.

We’re challenging the idea that commerce must come at the cost of community. Olipaca is building an ethical supply chain that centers dignity, reciprocity, and long-term trust. We hope to show that it’s possible to lead a profitable business where every thread holds a story and every story is treated with respect.

When a Quechua woman doesn’t need to leave her village to support her family—not out of charity, but by leading her own craft economy—we’ll know it’s working. Already, we’ve begun co-developing designs with rural weavers, creating income-generating pathways, and building a community of buyers who care about provenance as much as product.

Jessica Koosed Etting  

CEO & Founder of Jam, an AI-powered family management platform that simplifies the logistics of modern family life and reduces the mental load for busy parents and caregivers.

I’m working to dismantle one of the most invisible but powerful barriers to gender equality: the mental load. Through Jam, we’re building systems that help families share this unpaid, unspoken work, because until we create equity at home, we won’t see real equity at work. My goal is to make shared caregiving the norm so women can lead and thrive without carrying it all themselves.

We know our mission is making an impact every time a company adopts Jam as a benefit to support their working parents. When employers invest in tools that ease the mental load at home, they’re not just offering a perk; they’re actively building a more equitable, productive workplace.

Domonique Worship  

CEO & Founder of The Institute of Exceptional Alignment, a high-touch experience reimagining leadership through the lens of alignment—equipping high-performing women to lead with purpose and impact and supporting organizations in cultivating cultures where they can thrive.

I’m committed to redefining leadership so that women no longer have to abandon themselves to succeed. By shifting how we define success and power, I hope to create a world where women can lead with clarity, authenticity, and impact—without sacrificing their well-being. That shift isn’t just personal—it requires reshaping the systems around us so that aligned, sustainable leadership becomes the norm.

I’ll know my mission is working when women no longer feel like they have to contort themselves to lead, succeed, or belong, and when organizations finally reflect the gifts and presence of the women within them. Every time a client says, “I finally feel like myself again,” I know we’re getting closer.

Elle Wilson

Founder & CEO of Met Through Friends, a first-of-its-kind dating events business and home of the Plus-One Party™, helping singles truly meet "through friends" with its offline dating events and coaching support from founder and "wingwoman" Elle Wilson.

Above all, I want to stand for the value of investing in meaningful, joyful connection—no matter where people are in their dating journey. I hope to help people lead kinder, braver, and more fun dating lives with a community-first perspective.

Each month, I get to see hundreds of people show up in-person to make new connections. It never gets old. I’ve seen romantic relationships start, new friendships form, and old friendships strengthen. Whether or not someone ends up meeting the love of their life at my events, it’s been my honor to watch people take bold steps in pursuit of meaningful relationships. I’m proud to be setting the stage for real connections. 

All individuals in this article are either HearstLab portfolio companies or Dreamers & Doers members. Dreamers & Doers is an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women leaders and entrepreneurs by raising their profile through PR, forging authentic connections, and curating trajectory-shifting resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and get involved here.