Your complete playbook for de-risking product launches 🚀
GET THE GUIDE11 women to watch in marketing in 2026
Marketing has long been powered by women, but leadership roles haven’t always reflected that reality.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting the women who are helping change that. From global brand builders to platform innovators, these leaders are shaping the future of marketing while also championing greater representation, mentorship, opportunity and more across the industry.
Here are the women to watch in 2026 — leaders whose impact extends far beyond the campaigns they create.
The relevance gap: Why women feel increasingly unseen by advertising
For more like this, check out our research on why advertising is feeling less relevant or trustworthy to women as they age — even though they influence the majority of household purchase decisions.
Below are eleven extraordinary women to watch in 2026:
Bonita C. Stewart, VP Global Partnerships | Google
A long-time marketing executive who has focused heavily on supporting women, especially women of color, in leadership through mentorship and publishing.
Why she’s one to watch:
Advocates for representation in tech and marketing leadership
Co-author of a book on empowering women of color in business
Active board member and mentor across organizations
Nikki Neuburger, Chief Brand & Product Activation Officer | Lululemon
Nikki Neuburger leads global marketing for Lululemon, overseeing brand strategy, campaigns and community engagement for one of the world’s fastest-growing premium athletic brands. Before joining Lululemon, she spent nearly two decades at Nike, where she helped build some of the company’s most culturally influential marketing initiatives across sport, lifestyle and women’s categories.
Why she’s one to watch:
Leads marketing for a brand that has redefined the intersection of fitness, fashion and lifestyle
Focused on community-driven brand building and experiential marketing
Brings deep expertise in women’s sports and athletic storytelling to one of the most influential brands in wellness
Marissa Solis, SVP Global Brand & Consumer Marketing | NFL
Marissa Solis leads global brand and consumer marketing for the NFL, overseeing national advertising, digital media, fan engagement and global brand development. She brings more than 25 years of experience spanning consulting, consumer packaged goods and sports marketing.
Why she’s one to watch:
Leads the NFL’s push to reach new audiences, including women and younger fans
Advocates for greater representation and engagement with Latino communities in sports
A rare Latina leader shaping marketing for one of the world’s biggest sports leagues
Julia Goldin, Chief Marketing Officer | LEGO
Julia Goldin oversees marketing, product development, partnerships and research for LEGO, one of the most beloved brands in the world. Since joining in 2014, she has helped transform the company from a toy manufacturer into a global entertainment and cultural brand.
Why she’s one to watch:
Architect of LEGO’s major brand platform “Rebuild the World”
Leads efforts to make play more inclusive and challenge gender stereotypes in toys
Drives sustainability initiatives and digital expansion across gaming and entertainment
Julia White, Chief Marketing Officer | Amazon
Julia White leads global marketing for Amazon, helping shape how one of the world’s largest and most complex brands communicates. Before joining Amazon, she spent more than two decades at Microsoft, where she rose to Chief Marketing Officer of Azure and helped grow the company’s cloud business into a global powerhouse.
Why she’s one to watch:
Brings deep enterprise and technology marketing expertise to Amazon’s global brand
Experienced in scaling marketing for complex product ecosystems
A leader at the intersection of technology, innovation and global storytelling
Bozoma Saint John, Former CMO | Netflix, Uber, Pepsi
Bozoma Saint John is one of the most recognizable and influential marketing leaders of the past decade. Across roles at major global companies (including Netflix, Uber, Apple Music and PepsiCo) she has built a reputation for bold storytelling and culture-driven campaigns while becoming a visible advocate for diversity and representation in corporate leadership.
Why she’s one to watch
One of the most recognizable marketing leaders in tech and entertainment
A vocal advocate for authenticity, representation and diverse leadership in corporate America
Continues to influence the industry through entrepreneurship, media and public speaking
Melissa Hobley, Chief Marketing Officer | Tinder
Melissa Hobley leads global marketing for Tinder, shaping how the world’s largest dating app connects with younger audiences across culture, entertainment and digital platforms.
Why she’s one to watch:
Known for culture-driven marketing that blends entertainment, dating and digital experiences
A vocal advocate for women in tech and marketing leadership
Frequently speaks about building inclusive teams and empowering women to pursue leadership roles
Avery Akkineni, Chief Marketing Officer | VaynerX
Avery Akkineni leads global marketing for VaynerX and previously served as the founding president of Vayner3, where she helped companies navigate emerging technologies like Web3 and digital communities.
Why she’s one to watch:
A leading voice in modern marketing and digital culture
Experience building global operations across Asia-Pacific and Latin America
A strong voice on how brands stay culturally relevant and connect with audiences where attention lives
Tressie Lieberman, Chief Brand Officer | Starbucks
Tressie Lieberman oversees global brand strategy and marketing for Starbucks, guiding how the brand connects with customers across retail and digital and cultural touchpoints. Previously CMO at Chipotle Mexican Grill, she helped drive one of the restaurant industry’s most notable brand turnarounds through digital innovation and culturally resonant campaigns.
Why she’s one to watch:
Known for blending digital innovation with culturally relevant storytelling
A proven leader in transforming brand perception and driving growth
Champion of modern loyalty, mobile engagement and community-driven marketing
Mariani Alessandra, Global Marketing Lead | TikTok
Alessandra Mariani leads global marketing initiatives for TikTok, helping brands navigate one of the most influential cultural platforms in the world.
Why she’s one to watch
Works at the center of the creator economy and social-first marketing
Helps brands rethink how storytelling works in short-form video environments
Drives global brand partnerships across entertainment, culture and commerce
Advocates for women in marketing and culture and leads global marketing initiatives
Sofia Colucci, Chief Marketing Officer | Molson Coors Beverage Company
Sofia Colucci leads global marketing for Molson Coors, overseeing brand strategy for a wide portfolio that includes iconic beer brands and emerging beverage categories. Since joining the company, she has focused on revitalizing heritage brands while expanding into new segments such as non-alcoholic and ready-to-drink beverages.
Why she’s one to watch:
Drives the modernization of legacy beverage brands
Leads marketing across a rapidly evolving alcohol and beverage landscape
Focused on portfolio expansion and connecting with younger consumers
The women featured here are doing more than leading marketing teams — they’re helping redefine what leadership in the industry looks like.
From championing creativity to advocating for greater representation, their influence will continue to shape marketing in the years ahead. Follow their work, listen to the conversations they’re driving and watch how they continue to inspire change across the industry!
The relevance gap: Why women feel increasingly unseen by advertising
For more content like this, check out our research on how advertising relevance is changing among women.
