The future is being rewritten by women who refuse to follow the status quo. These disruptors are redefining leadership, creativity, and impact, setting the tone for what 2026 will become.
- Vanessa Fine
Vanessa Fine is the founder of Redefine Representation, a boutique agency redefining artist representation within the entertainment industry. With a background in talent publicity and experience working for one of Hollywood’s most prominent publicists, Fine brings a highly informed, strategic perspective to the business of representation. Experience on the talent side allows her to understand the operational demands, expectations, pressures, and workflows that both the clients and artists navigate daily. The professional relationships that Fine cultivated in PR have evolved into long standing professional partnerships rooted in transparency, communication, and integrity.
In just its first year, Redefine Representation has achieved remarkable milestones, including artists working with Emmy and Golden Globe winning talent, Vanity Fair covers with a-list celebrities, union placements on award winning television sets, and dual representation at the Met Gala. Vanessa Fine’s journey is a testament to trusting instinct, embracing courage, and redefining what representation truly means.
- Juliana Fink
Juliana Fink is the visionary founder of JFink Beauty, known for her authentic approach and transformative work in the beauty industry. She believes that staying true to oneself and embracing a mindset of lifelong learning are key to personal and professional growth. Juliana has traveled globally, serving as a makeup artist for destination weddings in Paris, Ireland, Turks and Caicos, Panama, and Mexico, helping clients see the best version of themselves. Her work combines resilience, flexibility, and creativity, empowering women to feel confident, sophisticated, and powerful. She encourages aspiring disruptors to embrace authenticity, adapt to change, and view setbacks as stepping stones to success. Through JFink Beauty, Juliana continues to inspire and elevate clients worldwide while sharing her expertise and passion for beauty. - Kacie Faulling Myers
Kacie Faulling Myers is the visionary founder of Lashes and Lace Bridal Hair & Makeup, one of Charleston’s pioneering on-site hair and makeup companies. Since launching in 2012, Kacie has expanded her brand to a team of over 30 stylists, serving more than 600 weddings annually both nationally and internationally. Her downtown Charleston studio connects to Haberdash, the city’s exclusive speakeasy for grooms and groomsmen, while also hosting corporate events, welcome parties, and celebrations. Kacie believes in humble beginnings, encouraging aspiring women disruptors to start from the ground up, embrace learning, and push themselves to grow. She takes pride in providing meaningful employment for her team, sharing her entrepreneurial journey in her memoir, Lashes, Lace, and Lessons Learned, and cherishes the opportunities to collaborate with celebrity artists and travel globally through her work.
4. Mika Furuya
Mika Furuya, illustrator and founder of Atelier Mika LLC, is a visual storyteller known for artwork that blends culture, emotion, and meaningful connection. With nearly twenty years of experience, her career began in fashion illustration and has expanded across international galleries, magazines, and award winning exhibitions in Europe. Mika built MIKAbushwick, a community space in Brooklyn that hosted art and cultural events, and later produced World Sake Day NYC to share Japanese culture through creativity and collaboration. Her work was also featured by the Consulate General of Japan in New York, supporting cultural exchange between Japan and the United States. Today, Mika partners with clients in the hospitality world, including Michelin star restaurants, offering creative direction, branding, and illustration that celebrates identity, storytelling, and cross cultural experience.
Cindy Gelman Singer
Cindy Gelman Singer is the founder of Dylan Michael Cosmetics, where her mission is to ensure every bride and bridal party member feels genuinely beautiful, supported, and celebrated.
Known for her thoughtfully detailed artistry, Cindy provides complimentary bridal makeup trials that include a choice of airbrush or traditional foundation, along with custom individual lashes — all crafted to achieve a natural, flawless look that reflects your most authentic self.
Her passion for helping others carries far beyond the world of beauty. As a Commissioner on the Pennsylvania Governor’s Commission on Women, Cindy works to uplift women across the state through initiatives focused on menstrual equity, accessible childcare, and women’s health awareness. She also founded the Dylan Singer Education Fund to guide young couples through the importance of genetic screenings, and created Pixie Dust Wishes Drag Bingo, a joyful community effort that helps send children with disabilities to Disney World.
Cindy’s advice to aspiring disruptors: “Always ask for what you want and need. The worst anyone can say is “no,” and even a “no” doesn’t mean you have reached the end of the road”. There is always another path”.
- Kirsty Wingfield
Kirsty Wingfield is the founder of Richmond Make Up Artist, LLC, bringing over 13 years of experience and passion to the beauty industry. Starting her career full-time when her first daughter was born, Kirsty has transformed countless clients, helping them regain confidence and feel their best. She emphasizes authenticity, consistency, and trust, believing that vulnerability and staying true to oneself are key to building lasting client relationships. Kirsty’s approach balances professionalism with a warm, relatable presence, often showing her real self to clients beyond makeup. Her dedication to continuous learning, branding, and mentoring has fueled her growth, leading to features in magazines, commercials, and hundreds of weddings. Kirsty takes pride in long-term client loyalty, seeing her early clients still return today. Her artistry inspires confidence and elevates the bridal and beauty experience. - Heather Hadden
Heather Hadden, founder of Hadden Homes, has built one of Toronto’s top 0.01 percent real estate teams by redefining what modern leadership in the industry looks like. Instead of relying on traditional sales tactics, she focuses on data-driven strategy, high-touch client service, and a women-led approach that treats real estate like a serious, scalable business. Heather is passionate about helping agents create leveraged income and long-term wealth while showing women they can be direct, ambitious, and kind without shrinking themselves. Her proudest achievements include leading a team known for integrity, warmth, and market-beating results, and creating a coaching program that transforms overwhelmed agents into confident business owners. Through both her team and her mentorship, Heather continues to elevate the real estate landscape with clarity, purpose, and impact.
- Julie Floyd
Julie Floyd, founder of StyldLife and StyldLife Crown Club, is redefining beauty education by making expert guidance truly personal and accessible. While platforms like YouTube and TikTok offer general tips, StyldLife goes deeper by connecting clients with professional stylists who can actually see them, speak to them, and teach them in real time. The focus is on building confidence, skills, and independence, not just creating a polished look. Julie’s mission is rooted in empowerment, helping people feel their best every day. Her proudest achievements are the meaningful transformations clients experience, from gaining self-confidence at any size to discovering simple routines that elevate their daily lives. Through StyldLife, Julie continues to inspire others to lead boldly, trust their abilities, stay adaptable, and share knowledge generously.
- Becca Ozbalik
Becca Ozbalik is the founder of Makeup by Becca Anne, a bridal makeup studio dedicated to helping every bride feel confident and radiant on her special day. After leaving a decade-long teaching career to follow her passion, Becca has transformed her business into a fully booked studio each wedding season. Known for her calming presence and flawless artistry, she ensures each bride’s morning flows effortlessly while capturing beauty that translates perfectly on camera. Becca emphasizes authenticity and courage, encouraging aspiring women disruptors to take bold action and lead with heart. Her collaborations with trusted partners like @sunlessbyrachel and local wedding vendors highlight her commitment to elevating the entire bridal experience. Through creativity, skill, and genuine care, Becca continues to leave a lasting impact on brides and the wedding industry. - Marissa Cherepanov
Marissa Cherepanov is an accomplished executive leader, speaker, and strategist, recognized for her dedication to female empowerment and leadership development. As the CEO and Visionary of No Girl Left Behind, she spearheads a global movement advancing women in leadership through mentorship, education, and international events. With over 15 years of experience driving sales growth, marketing strategy, and operational excellence at global brands such as Ulta Beauty, Gap, Express, and Swarovski, Marissa has a proven record of building high-performing teams. She also serves on Linfield University’s Board of Advisors for the Women in Leadership program and contributes as a Senior Contributor for Brainz Magazine and columnist for Expert Profile Magazine. Her advice to aspiring women disruptors is to embrace courage, speak up against outdated systems, and lead change boldly.
