“I always say I was born an activist; I traded in my pacifier for a bullhorn as early as I can remember,” Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani told CEW in an exclusive interview. Host of the My So-Called Midlife podcast and founder of non-profits Girls Who Code and Moms First, Saujani will be the keynote speaker at CEW’s 50th Anniversary Achiever Awards luncheon. “Saujani speaks directly to CEW’s wide-ranging membership, from working moms to women navigating midlife, and the 55+ cohort,” reports CEW’s Andrea Nagel, who sat down with the trailblazing women’s advocate to discuss her work.

Speaking of inspirational female leaders, Heela Yang, co-founder and CEO of Sol de Janeiro and a 2025 CEW 2025 Achiever Award Honoree, talked to us about her inspirational career journey. “If there’s one takeaway I can offer, it’s this: be adaptable but never forget to trust your instincts,” she told CEW reporter Kate Sullivan. 

A new report by Ranstad, a Dutch multinational HR consulting firm, has revealed that working mothers need more flexibility to advance their careers. At CEW, we highlight the key findings of the report, which was published in partnership with Mumsnet, the U.K. online parenting website and forum. Also at CEW, we have a special report on Cosmetic Solutions Innovation Labs’ (CSIL) new Market Ready Skincare Portfolio, which helps beauty brands speed up product development, cutting timelines from 12 months to as few as three.

In executive news, Supergoop! founder Holly Thaggard has left the brand, stating on LinkedIn that “This next chapter is just getting started, and it’s going to make (super!) waves!”. Meanwhile, Kate Foster Lengyel has departed The Outset, the brand she co-founded with Scarlett Johansson. “Now it’s time to pass the torch as CEO, take on new adventures, and keep doing what I love: building businesses at the intersection of innovation and consumer opportunity,” stated Lengyel.

In pop-up news, Dr. Barbara Sturm is bringing the “Anti-inflammatory Haus: Hydration Edition” to New York on May 16. Sturm will host master classes, expert panel discussions, and EveLab skin analysis and consultations will be available. The event marks the tenth anniversary of Sturm’s hero product, the Hyaluronic Serum. Meanwhile, Gisou, the beauty brand renowned for its lip oils, is hosting a Miami pop-up this week. Running from April 23-27, it will take place in the Miami Design District.

To celebrate Earth Day 2025 today, Happi reports on game-changing beauty and personal care brands making strides to reduce their carbon footprint. Meanwhile, Coty has scooped up two, improved ESG scores from two leading ratings agencies — MSCI and Sustainalytics — which reflect the company’s “stronger performance in environmental, social, and corporate governance areas relevant to its beauty business,” reports Global Cosmetics News.

Catch up on these news stories by clicking on the links below. 

Girls Who Code’s Reshma Saujani On Advocating For Women. The founder of non-profits Girls Who Code and Moms First, and host of the podcast My So-Called Midlife, gave CEW an exclusive interview. (CEW)

5 Minutes With Heela Yang, Sol de Janeiro’s Co-Founder And CEO. Yang is a 2025 CEW 2025 Achiever Award Honoree. (CEW)

More Flexibility Needed For Working Mothers For Career Growth. A new report has found that nine out of 10 mothers maintain that flexibility is their top priority when it comes to work, and lack of flexibility is given as the number one reason why working mothers choose to leave their jobs. (CEW)

Cosmetic Solutions Innovation Labs’ Market Ready Skincare Portfolio. CSIL’s new offering help beauty brands speed up product development, cutting timelines from 12 months to as few as three. (CEW)

Dr. Barbara Sturm Pops Up In NYC. Dr. Sturm is opening her Anti-inflammatory Haus in New York on May 16. (WWD) 

Welcome To Miami, Gisou. The beauty brand is hosting a “fully immersive” pop-up this week in the Miami Design District. (GISOU)

Supergoop!’s Holly Thaggard Steps Down. Thaggard has announced her departure from the brand she founded. (FORBES)

Kate Foster Lengyel Leaves The Outset. The brand’s CEO said, “it’s time to pass the torch as CEO, take on new adventures, and keep doing what I love: building businesses at the intersection of innovation and consumer opportunity,” on LinkedIn. (BEAUTY NEWS DAILY)

Coty Scoops Up Higher Sustainability Scores. The company has received improved ESG scores from two leading ratings agencies, MSCI and Sustainalytics. (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS)

Beauty Brands Getting Greener For Earth Day. Happi reports on beauty and personal care brands are working overtime to reduce their carbon footprint. (HAPPI)