Andrea NagelWelcome to a special edition of our Women’s Leadership Digital Journal, a celebration and acknowledgement of some of the most exceptional female leaders shaping the beauty industry. Within these pages, you’ll find stories of vision, resilience, and innovation — each one a testament to what is possible when leadership is driven by purpose and passion.
We begin by honoring our Achiever Awards recipients— six remarkable women whose careers have redefined excellence across all segments of the industry. Their influence spans decades and disciplines and sets the standard to inspire the next generation of leaders. In addition, we proudly recognize three distinguished Special Award honorees.
Among them is Carlotta Jacobson, who served as President of CEW for 27 years and is this year’s Catalyst Award honoree. Her enduring legacy has helped shape not only the organization she led, but also the broader beauty landscape, championing advancement, connection, and opportunity for women at every stage of their careers.
This issue also shines a spotlight on our Visionary Award honorees — seven female founders representing six dynamic brands. These entrepreneurs embody bold thinking and fearless creativity, building companies that challenge convention while redefining what beauty means in the modern world. Their journeys reflect both the risks and rewards of forging new paths, and their success signals an exciting future for the industry.
As CEW’s current President, Elana Drell Szyfer, so aptly puts it: “Everyone remembers their first time. Their first Achiever Awards, that is — an experience that always inspires and energizes the industry for what is possible through female leadership.”
That spirit of inspiration is woven throughout this journal. Whether it’s highlights from McKinsey & Company and Lean In’s 2025 Women in the Workplace Report, insights from Kelly McPhilliamy, Head of Health & Beauty Investment Banking, Citigroup, on the indie beauty landscape, or one of the 15 articles inside this journal capturing an honoree’s career journey, each page reminds us that leadership is not only about achievement, but also about impact.
We invite you to explore these narratives, reflect on their lessons, and celebrate the extraordinary women who continue to move the beauty industry forward.
Sincerely,
Andrea Nagel
Chief Content Officer, CEW
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