These Bosses Are Paving the Way for Women in Leadership Positions

At the HR Solutions group Adecco, millions of people are connected with the best opportunities for their skillsets. Corinne Ripoche, who leads Pontoon talent services and the Adecco Group in its Americas regions, expanded her executive role and was appointed to CEO in 2020.

Ripoche started with Adecco Group in her native France in 1993 and, throughout her career, has specialized in leading major business transformations while moving through senior sales, operations, and product positions in Europe and America. As an advocate of women leadership, she believes in Dress for Success’ path to uplifting women.

“By providing access to education, mentoring, and hiring, we can ensure that women feel empowered to achieve their personal and professional goals,” she tells OprahMag.com.

At the research firm AllianceBernstein based in Nashville, Tennessee, Janessa Cox-Irvin has led the development of a formalized diversity and inclusion philosophy, including a framework for community and employee engagement and corporate partnership in her role as Global Head of D&I. She facilitates inclusive themes throughout the corporation, from the recruitment stages into current employees, senior leadership, and the clients they serve.

Prior to joining AB in 2015, Cox-Irvin spent 11 years at Deutsche Bank, where she served as D&I manager and was responsible for integrating diversity practices within the Corporate Banking & Securities and Global Transaction Banking divisions globally.

In her experience, she recognizes the value of each person’s story. “I think there is so much power in authenticity. Our truth is our power. Our story is our power. Our purpose is our power.”

Leading another side of the research firm AllianceBernstein is Chief Operating Officer Kate Burke, who is responsible for overseeing legal, compliance, corporate communications, human capital, corporate and information security, operations, and technology. (Say that three times straight!) She began at AB first at Bernstein Research in 2004 in institutional sales, and since has advanced in various leadership roles such as senior VP and managing director, head of Human Capital and chief talent officer, and chief administrative officer. Burke’s work in financial services and consulting industry spans more than two decades.

“Together we are responsible for finding ways to lift each other up and pave the path forward for the next generation of female leaders,” Burke says.

As a graduate of James Madison University, Jamie Jones Miller has held leadership roles with Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority for more than two decades. The sorority is a lifelong membership association with more than 65,000 members and 83 chapters on college campuses, and now, as the 15th National President of Alpha Sigma Tau, Miller oversees the sorority’s mission to invest in women by instilling the skills necessary to navigate life. “Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority stands with Dress for Success. Together, we will do everything in our power to combat the ‘she-cession,'” she says.

Jamie is an experienced senior executive with more than 20 years of service on Capitol Hill and at the Department of Defense, including roles as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs and as Chief of Staff to a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. Jamie currently serves on the Leadership Council for Women in National Security and is passionate about opening doors for women.

Linda Findley Kozlowski is Blue Apron’s President, CEO, and a member of its Board of Directors. Blue Apron, an ingredient and recipe meal kit subscription service, is working to build a better food system by partnering with farmers for high-quality ingredients and then distributing ingredients at a better value. She’s partnering with Dress for Success because she believes, “When you help a woman find economic independence, you are helping her family, her community and the entire ecosystem around her.”

Prior to joining Blue Apron, Kozlowski was the COO of Etsy, Inc. She also serves on the Board of Directors and as a member of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Ralph Lauren Corporation, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors of Styleseat, Inc., an online platform for beauty and wellness professionals, as well as Dress for Success.

As CEO of renowned fashion brand Calvin Klein, Inc., Cheryl Abel-Hodges is responsible for strategy, product development, marketing, and commercial operations for all Calvin Klein product lines across the world. “By supporting Dress for Success, we at Calvin Klein can generate impact for women today— and for future generations,” Abel-Hodges says about the Your Hour, Her Power campaign.

Prior to her boss role as CEO, Abel-Hodges oversaw Calvin Klein's parent company PVH’s innovative underwear platform, where she managed underwear businesses for its brands. In 2019, Cheryl received the prestigious National Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

Emilie Rubinfeld is the Global President of Carolina Herrera – the New York-based fashion brand internationally recognized for women’s luxury ready-to-wear and bridal collections. Emilie is leading the organization to be at the forefront women’s luxury fashion while building a thriving global brand for the future. Prior to her current role, Emilie held the position of Chief Marketing Officer at the company.

Emilie is a member of FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) Social Justice Advisory, as well as the Fashion and Luxury Council of NYU/Stern School of Business and a committed mentor to NY-based independent designers. “I echo the Dress for Success belief that a career can be a woman’s most vital and powerful conduit to independence and fulfillment,” Rubinfeld says.

Jill Evanko works as the CEO and President of Chart Industries, an engineer equipment manufacturer that focuses on clean energy. Evanko served in this leading role since 2017, but she started at the company in 2014 as Chief Financial Officer. She explains why she is joining forces with Dress for Success: “Chart Industries and I have engaged in the Your Hour, Her Power campaign because we understand the importance and impact of gender diversity in the world."

As a testament to her work, she has received honors such as the 2020 ExxonMobil Power Play Rainmaker award, the 2020 S&P Global Platts Energy Award for Chief Trailblazer, and the World LNG Executive of the Year 2020.

At CorePower Yoga, its mission is to show the “life-changing things” that can happen with the workout and mindfulness of yoga, and Niki Leondakis leads that mission as CEO of the subscription studio franchise. Leondakis has consistently built and led some of the most diverse and customer-centric teams in the hospitality industry. She has more than 30 years of experience building lifestyle brands and creating award-winning workplace cultures that drive innovation and customer loyalty.

Since 2002, she has been named one of the “100 Most Influential Women” by the San Francisco Business Times annually. She acknowledges the 'sheroes' that came before her when expressing her support for Dress for Success: “I would not be the leader I am today if not for the guidance and compassion of so many brilliant women before me.”

No stranger to the beauty industry, Sue Y. Nabi has worked in her role as CEO of the beauty hub Coty Inc since September 2020, but has more than 30 years of experience within the company. This includes a track record of success across the mass and luxury channels, as well as successful brand building across international markets. She says: “I see women in the heart of our communities who are helping make the world a better place each day.”

Nabi has an Advanced Master's degree in Marketing Management from Paris Business School, and an engineering degree in Agronomy and Environment. She began her career at L’Oréal in 1993. During this period, she was named Manager of the Year in 2008 by Cosmétique Magazine and won the Prix d’Excellence Marie Claire award three years in a row.

As the sixth managing partner in financial firm Edward Jones’ 98-year history, Penny Pennington is responsible for the firm's strategic direction, working together with more than 49,000 associates across North America to make a meaningful difference in the lives of more than 7 million clients by helping them financially achieve their most important goals. Pennington began her career with the Fortune 500 firm in 2000 as a financial advisor and has since held various leadership roles, including being a senior executive sponsor of the firm’s LGBT+ & Allies Business Resource Group.

She discussed the importance of investing in uplifting women in the workforce, “When we help women build the skills to achieve financial independence, our families, our communities, and our society are all better for it.”

Ramona Hood is president and CEO of FedEx Custom Critical, where she oversees the executive leadership team and is responsible for the performance and strategic direction of the company. Hood began her career at the company in an entry-level position in 1991 and has worked her way up to hold various executive leadership positions, shifting in many areas including Operations, Safety, Sourcing, Sales and Marketing.

“As an African American woman and mother of two daughters, I understand the importance of community empowerment and working together to uplift those in our communities,” Hood says about why she continues to lend support to others. Her work has been recognized with a handful of awards, most recently, she was recognized on the Crain’s Cleveland 2020 Power 150 list.

Herman Miller, the modern office furniture company, is led by its CEO Andi Owen. In her role, which she held since August 2018, she oversees the company’s aggressive growth strategy to reach untapped market potential around the world. Owen has a history of leading complex customer-focused businesses. She is a life-long learner whose natural curiosity led her to pursue a variety of professional opportunities in her past 25-year career with Gap, Inc. From 2014-2017, Andi was also the Global President of Banana Republic. She also completed Harvard’s first-of-its-kind course during her studies in their business school’s advanced management program, Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director.

“We are excited to support Dress for Success and the work they do to design solutions that break the cycle of poverty and empower women to achieve economic independence,” she says.

As the co-leader of music group Lady A, Hillary Scott has been part of becoming one of 21st century’s premier vocal groups, blending deeply felt emotions with classic Country sounds. While ushering more than 18 million album units, 34 million tracks sold and nearly five billion digital streams, the trio is best known for their 9X Platinum hit “Need You Now,” which is the highest certified song by a Country group.

When you pull back the curtains of the nine-time GRAMMY-winner's decade-plus-long career, Scott has also proven herself to be a savvy leader in the music business world as the co-owner of two corporations overseeing all global and domestic touring operations, music distribution, brand partnerships and merchandising. "As a businesswoman and working mom, I think it is so important for us to rally together to support the Your Hour, Her Power campaign,” she says.

Jasmin Allen is the first black woman to serve as Senior Vice President at luxury brand Moët Hennessy, where she leverages her strategic marketing and brand leadership skills as well as her extensive industry network to drive growth for the company. Before joining LVMH, Jasmin was at The Coca-Cola Company in brand management roles for the Coca-Cola, Coke Zero and DASANI brands. After that, Jasmin moved to T-Mobile to lead their Entertainment Marketing efforts. While there, she led the naming rights sponsorship of T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, created the company’s first-ever entertainment marketing strategy, and led celebrity partnership programs that drove incremental subscriber growth for the brand.

“Your Hour, Her Power is a fantastic opportunity for me and others to continue to support Dress for Success’ mission to add value to women’s lives,” she says in support. In her role, she is heavily involved in mentorship and has been a strong advocate of improving diversity at Moët Hennessy.

M Booth CEO Dale Bornstein is a passionate and accomplished integrated marketing specialist with over 30 years of experience building brands. She is known as a “big idea” person with an instinct for connecting talent and ideas leading to agency innovation and winning connections between brands and consumers. At the communications company, led the firm’s drive to integration and expansion, deepening and building new capabilities and recruiting best-in-class talent.

While partnering with Dress for Success, Bornstein says, “As a female leader, I do my best to lead by example and to inspire everyone in my organization, particularly young women.” Dale is a tireless culture-bearer fostering a creative, entrepreneurial, fun, and rewarding work environment.

Kathy Warden is chairman, chief executive officer and president of the aerospace defense tech company Northrop Grumman Corporation. Since joining the company in 2008, she has also served as president and chief operating officer, responsible for the operational management of the company’s four sectors as well as its enterprise services organization. She also led the integration of Northrop Grumman’s Orbital ATK acquisition.

Her message to all of those striving to uplift women in their careers? “Please join me in recognizing and appreciating the accomplishments of all the women who are making history in their own way, every day.”

Margaret Keane is CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Synchrony, a premier consumer financial services company. The company's financial expertise spans key product areas, including apparel, electronics and appliances, home furnishings, automotive, power products and sports, jewelry and luxury, other retail, elective healthcare procedures and services, and more. Prior to joining Synchrony, Keane had an 18-year career with GE Capital, where she held leadership roles spanning consumer finance, vendor financial services, operations, and quality.

In 2020, Fortune and American Banker featured Keane as one of the most powerful women in finance. She shares the responsibility that she has in her role, “We as leaders must work to ensure that we are advancing women in their careers.”

Lizanne Kindler is Chief Executive Officer of Talbots, an omnichannel retailer of women’s apparel, shoes, and accessories. Under Kindler’s leadership, the Talbots brand has returned to healthy levels of sales and profitability, opened new stores, developed new concepts, and entered new product categories.

Before her career at Talbots, where she started as the Senior Vice President of Merchandising in 2008, she spent 15 years in various leadership roles at Ann Taylor Stores Corporations. Kindler has been instrumental in cementing Talbots' status as a brand with purpose by leading the brand’s partnership with Dress for Success, which has raised nearly $7 million since its inception in 2014.

The possibilities are beautiful with Mary Dillon as CEO of Ulta Beauty. The Chicago native has 35 years of experience leading consumer-driven brands in a diverse range of industries, with the common thread being her passion for leveraging customer insights and leading through the lens of culture to build brand engagement and drive results.

Dillon began leading the beauty franchise in 2013 and since then has vaulted Ulta to the Fortune 500. She believes strongly in creating a common purpose, removing barriers to inclusion, and driving associate engagement through valuing the perspectives of her diverse team. Dillon also established the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation in 2016, which has donated $20+ million to nonprofits supporting women and families. When asked about rallying behind Dress for success, she says, “I’m thrilled to help Dress for Success empower women to create their own path toward a future of beautiful possibilities.”