The Visionary Women CEOs to Watch in 2026 represent a powerful collective of women who are building with purpose, leading with clarity, and creating impact across business, community, faith, wellness, finance, education, and the arts. These women are not chasing visibility. They are building a legacy. Each featured CEO is redefining leadership by turning lived experience into strategy, passion into structure, and vision into measurable results. From scaling companies and launching movements to mentoring youth, empowering women, and strengthening communities, this group reflects what modern leadership truly looks like.
What connects them is not industry or title, but intention. They lead with integrity, service, and bold action, proving that success and substance can coexist. As we look ahead to 2026, these visionary women CEOs are not just ones to watch. They are the ones setting the standard for what sustainable, purpose-driven leadership will become.
1. Twanna Evans, CEO
Own Your Fly
Twanna M. Evans, a native of Rock Hill, SC, currently resides in Houston, Texas. She has 4 kids and 4 grandkids. Twanna is the CEO and founder of Own Your Fly, LLC. A company she created to help women and girls cope with everyday challenges while on their journey to emotional wealth. It was born out of a desire to press forward into greater. She decided to stop being ashamed of past decisions and instead own it all. By owning it all, she discovered her ‘fly.’
As a result of Owning Her Fly, Twanna has earned several certifications and accreditations and also attended Benedict College for her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. In addition to her personal accomplishments, she shares her experience and wisdom as a mentor for young girls. Twanna Evans’ personal faith and confidence are evident in every aspect of her life. Her mantra is simply, if you can change it, do so; if not, then “Let It Be.”
2. Marcie Delapaz, President & Host
Let Your Voices be Heard Podcast Show
My name is Marcie Delapaz, and I am a photographer, an event coordinator, and a podcaster. I’m originally from Brooklyn, NY. Moved to Staten Island in 2015 and created these wonderful businesses to help our community succeed and grow. Meeting new people, new opportunities, and new connections made me want to be more involved in all of my endeavors.
I truly appreciate all those that have supported my businesses throughout all these years. I feel there’s more of a great need to help in all communities.
3. C.F. Jackson, Founder & CEO
iDefine TV
C.F. Jackson, known as The Interviewer, is a media strategist, interviewer, and the visionary behind iDefine TV, a streaming platform designed to help entrepreneurs, authors, and experts build authority through the power of interviews. With more than 14 years of experience in branding, marketing, and media distribution, C.F. has positioned herself at the intersection of visibility, storytelling, and leadership.
Her work and voice have been recognized across major platforms. C.F. has interviewed notable figures including Sherri Shepherd, Regina Hall, Romany Malco, and A’Lelia Bundles, the great-great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker, among others. She has been published in Entrepreneur Magazine and has spoken at institutions such as Georgia Perimeter College and Norfolk State University, sharing insights on media, branding, and personal positioning.
Through iDefine TV, C.F. has led impactful media partnerships with the Atlanta Film Festival, Black Enterprise Entrepreneur Summit, HOPE Global Forums, and Miller Lite’s Tap the Future initiative, positioning the platform as a go-to media partner for brands, institutions, and thought leaders.
What drives C.F.’s mission is simple but powerful: helping people be seen, heard, and trusted before they feel “ready.” As she looks ahead to 2026, she continues to expand the influence of interviews as a strategic tool for leadership, legacy, and long-term visibility, believing interviews don’t just build exposure, they build authority.
4. January Nuzzo, Owner/CEO
Sapphire Consulting Services, LLC
January Nuzzo is a Licensed Financial Professional and Medicare Agent, passionate about helping individuals and families improve their financial wellness. She proudly calls herself a “Financial Doctor,” dedicated to diagnosing and healing the financial health of every household she meets. From budgeting and saving to debt management, investments, insurance, and Medicare planning, January provides customized guidance to help her clients feel informed, empowered, and in control of their financial future.
In addition to running Sapphire Consulting Services, January volunteers with multiple community groups, using her time and expertise to give back and uplift others. Her mission is simple—to help as many families as possible take control of their finances and build a legacy of financial confidence.
5. Caren Cooper, Empowerment and Mindset Coach
Caren Cooper Coaching
Caren is an empowerment and mindset coach who helps Gen X women break free from self-doubt, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome so they can stop playing small and finally step into the boldest, truest version of themselves. As a certified Neuro-Identity Evolution Practitioner, her signature Unscrew Yourself method—a mix of neuroscience, somatic practices, trauma-informed coaching, and energetics—thelps women rewrite the old narratives running the show, regulate their nervous systems, and step into their full power unapologetically.
Caren shares her story with raw honesty, humor, and heart—reminding audiences that their worth was never up for debate, and it’s never too late to rewrite the story of who they are. Her mission is simple: to help women stop hiding, own their brilliance, and show up as their fully expressed, badass selves in life and business. She is a mom of 2 young adult children and lives on Staten Island and is unabashed in her love of disco and corny jokes.
6. Tierra Milton, Owner
She & Her Hair Studio
Tierra Milton is the founder and creative mind behind She & Her Hair Studio, an acclaimed full-service salon and hair studio in Staten Island, NY. Since opening her doors in 2015, Tierra has become a trusted name in luxury hair care, healthy-hair education, and personalized beauty services for women across the North Shore.
A licensed cosmetologist and certified trichologist, Tierra blends artistry with advanced hair-science knowledge. She specializes in scalp health, natural hair care, precision styling, and flawless weave and wig installations—all with a focus on protecting the long-term integrity of her clients’ hair.
Known affectionately as the “Mother of Hair,” Tierra is celebrated for her warmth, attentiveness, and hands-on approach. She takes time to understand each client’s concerns, listens with intention, and creates customized plans that support both immediate results and lasting hair wellness. Her mission is simple: help women feel informed, confident, and cared for—every time they sit in her chair.
Under Tierra’s leadership, She & Her Hair Studio has grown into a welcoming destination for women from all walks of life. Clients come for clarity, stay for the experience, and return because they trust her expertise, consistency, and signature healthy-hair philosophy.
Beyond her work behind the chair, Tierra is a mentor, educator, and advocate for empowering women through knowledge and self-care.
As she often says: “We are on this hair journey together.”
7. Cee Cee H. Caldwell, CEO
Lady Cee Cee's World
Lady Cee Cee H. Caldwell is an award-winning international best-selling author, transformational speaker, coach, and visionary CEO of Lady Cee Cee’s World—a faith-centered personal development and lifestyle brand devoted to healing, authenticity, and transformation. Known as the Architect of Authenticity, she equips women to rediscover their voices, rebuild confidence, and rise strong through faith and purpose.
Her passion for restoration birthed The Healing Collective and the upcoming global initiative, the She Rises Whole Movement—a transformative space for women reclaiming their identity, faith, and wholeness after seasons of pain. Through her coaching programs, books, and podcast, Lady Cee Cee’s message of resilience, spiritual renewal, and authentic living has touched lives worldwide. As a leader grounded in grace and guided by divine purpose, she has dedicated her life to helping women heal from the inside out and walk boldly in who God created them to be.
Her mission is to see every woman restored, renewed, and rising whole—living unapologetically, courageously, and authentically in the light of God’s love.
8. Shanikqa Canty, CEO
CantyCreates
I’m Shanikqa, a higher education career professional and career strategist focused on helping people move from training into real, sustainable work.
My background is in career services, employer engagement, recruiting support, and student success, mainly within healthcare and workforce programs. I work closely with students and graduates on interview prep, job readiness, and connecting them to employers—while also helping institutions strengthen their placement pipelines.
I also run CantyCreates, a career development brand built around clarity, confidence, and access. What drives my work is the belief that talent is everywhere, but opportunity and guidance aren’t. My mission is to close that gap and help people build careers that actually fit their lives—not just look good on paper.
9. Natasha Jessie, Founder/Faith-Based Life Coach
Crowned In Love Coaching
Natasha Jessie is a transformational life coach and founder of Crowned In Love Coaching, where she helps women heal emotionally and spiritually after life transitions such as divorce, remarriage, and rediscovering identity. Her heart-centered approach blends faith, emotional intelligence, and practical strategy to help women rebuild confidence, restore their sense of self, and walk boldly in purpose.
She is the creator of Called To Rise, a devotional workbook guiding women through spiritual discipline, emotional renewal, and inner strength; and The Wife’s War Room, a bold resource equipping wives with wisdom, peace, and spiritual stamina for building strong marriages. Through her signature framework, Becoming Her Again, Natasha walks women through healing, alignment, and identity restoration—from surviving to truly thriving.
Natasha also hosts Soft Words, Big Faith, a gentle, faith-led podcast offering whispered encouragement and grounded truth to women rediscovering purpose, love, and confidence.
With a professional background in relationship development and communication, Natasha blends soul-work with strategy to create meaningful, lasting transformation. Her mission is to equip women to rebuild from the inside out, stand firm in who they are, and move forward with clarity, peace, and confidence.
10. Kisha Johnson McRae, Emotional Wellness—Life Transformation & Lupus Advocate Coach
Kween Coaching, LLC.
Kisha Johnson-McRae is an Emotional Wellness, Life Transformation, and Lupus Advocate Coach dedicated to empowering Black Christian women—especially those navigating the challenges of raising children with ADHD or living with lupus. As the founder of KWEEN Coaching LLC and the Beautiful Butterfly KWEEN Movement, Kisha brings a heartfelt blend of faith-based healing, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation to every space she touches.
She is known for her unique empathetic nature, her commitment to meeting clients where they are, and her passion for helping women reclaim their emotional and spiritual wholeness. Through workshops, coaching sessions, and her upcoming book, Access Denied: Surrender the Battle, Kisha continues to be a beacon of hope, guiding women to prioritize emotional self-care and embrace new beginnings.
11. Dr. Catrina, President
PullCorp Media & Business Consulting Group
Dr. Catrina Pullum is a visionary leader, entertainment executive, and purpose-driven strategist known for helping individuals and organizations break cycles, build legacies, and walk boldly in their calling. Affectionately known as “The Chain Breaker,” Dr. Catrina brings more than two decades of experience across entertainment, media production, leadership development, and nonprofit governance.
She is the Chief Creative Officer of Puissance Maison Productions, where she leads film, television, and theatrical projects with global impact, and the President and Co-Creator of PullCorp Media & Business Consulting Group, providing strategic public relations, brand development, and business consulting for high-profile creatives, entrepreneurs, and organizations. Her work spans music, television, live events, publishing, and community-centered initiatives that elevate both purpose and profit.
Dr. Catrina serves as President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Dallas Metropolitan Chapter, and as President of Ladies in Film & Television (LIFT). She also serves as a local, regional, and national leader with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., demonstrating a lifelong commitment to scholarship, service, sisterhood, and community advocacy. Her work and leadership have been featured in Essence, O Magazine, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, and Sheen, and she has received honors from President Barack Obama, members of Congress, and state leaders for her service and impact.
Driven by faith, legacy, and transformation, Dr. Catrina’s mission is to empower women, families, and youth to silence self-doubt, step into leadership, and create meaningful, generational change.
12. Nika Stewart, CEO
SHINE
Nika Stewart is a bestselling author, filmmaker, songwriter, and founder of SHINE: a dynamic personal branding accelerator for bold, brilliant women ready to break rules and rewrite their own.
After building a career helping entrepreneurs grow their visibility with authentic, personality-packed content, Nika’s world shifted when she was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma. Rather than retreat, she turned her experience into a global movement—reaching hundreds of millions online and proving that laughter, creativity, and resilience are not just coping mechanisms; they are superpowers.
Today, Nika uses her storytelling genius through books like “Actually, I Can,” viral videos, and motivational songs to inspire women to reclaim their voice and express their truth. At SHINE, she teaches coaches and creatives to stop hiding, start showing up as their whole selves, and build magnetic personal brands that attract their dream clients.
Her mission? To help women embrace their quirks, amplify their presence, and confidently show the world: “Actually, I can.”
13. Lady G, CEO
Proverbs Thirty One, Inc.
14. Dr. Stevii Aisha Mills, Income Strategist
Living The Life I Love
15. Jennifer Adenekan, President
Jentuby For Women Empowerment and Eradication Of Child Abuse, Inc.
16. Charisse Taliaferro-Reed, CEO/Founder
Chocolate, Cheese, and Chat
17. Mattie Sheppard, President/CEO
Perfectly Pictured Decluttering & Staging Experts, llc
Mattie Sheppard is a multi-business founder and co-founder of The CEO Launchpad. She leads Perfectly Pictured Cleaning Services and Perfectly Pictured Decluttering and Staging Experts. Her work supports homeowners, investors, and realtors who need strong listing appeal with limited time. She delivers integrated solutions using decluttering, cleaning, and staging to create photo-ready spaces that drive faster interest and stronger offers. Her specialty is restaging listings stalled for more than 30 days.
She brings 25 years of experience in administration, management, hospitality support, and event planning. She uses structure, strategy, and systems to help women 50 plus shift from a side hustle to a real business with confidence and clarity. She teaches weekly inside The CEO Launchpad through coaching, planning tools, and operational guidance.
She is part of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women Black in Business Cohort 8. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart, Women’s World, Reader’s Digest, AARP, Realtor.com, Architectural Digest, Southern Living, AOL, and Yahoo Life. Her mission is to support growth-minded women who want a business built on excellence, consistency, and long-term stability.
18. Shaneequa Pluma, Chef
Neenees Food Fantasy, LLC
I am a young Black chef from NYC. I’ve been cooking since I was a little girl, as I am the oldest of 7 raised by a single mother. I graduated from a culinary trade program in Newark, NJ, in 2017. I’ve been working in many different kitchens practicing many different cuisines since then.
During the 2020 pandemic, I started my own catering business selling food from home. As my clientele grew, I’ve been renting out space from local kitchen incubators while securing my business licenses needed for such. My own is to have my own catering hall or restaurant one day.
19. Atinuke Abiodun Durojaye, CEO
Inumidun International, Inc. dba Purh2O
Atinuke Durojaiye is an Evangelist, Registered Nurse, Author, Motivational Speaker, Mother, Grandmother.
Born in Epe, Lagos, Nigeria, but now resides in New York.
CEO for INUMIDUN International Inc., dba Purh20.
Distributor of Purh2O Natural Spring Water.
20. Vanessa Ross, Founder/Owner
Anointed & Appointed by God Dance Ministry
I am a Visionary Author/ Co- Author, motivational speaker, Singer/ Songwriter, I enjoy encouraging and uplifting people all over the entire world. I am a God-fearing woman who loves the Lord with all my heart and soul. I am a liturgical praise and flag dancer. I am a member of Sistars of Empowerment out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
I am a dedicated member of Believer’s Temple of Faith under the leadership of Pastor Kenneth & First Lady Fay Davis. I am a member of the Choral Choir under the leadership of Brother Sam Lovely. I am also in the dance ministry, where I am a liturgical praise and flag dancer.
21. Tymanii Black, CEO/Founder
Zuri’s World, LLC & Chase Elite Sports, LLC
My first business is Zuri’s World, LLC. I have two; my second LLC is Chase Elite Sports, LLC. I’m an AAU coach and team owner, and I named my second LLC after my son (same gift for him for his 6-month-old birthday). I make and customize apparel, accessories, sportswear, and just about anything else that can be printed on.
If you have a vision, I can make it come to life. I’m a Medical Assistant, currently finishing my bachelor’s in history to become a high school history teacher. I’m an automated logistical specialist in the SC Army National Guard, and I specialize in everything basketball related. I’m known for making t-shirts, bags, cups, stickers, whatever you think of and want on a shirt or hoodie, and for being “Coach Ty,” as I have coached players all over Spartanburg and Columbia.
22. Mikki A Ealey, CEO/Founder
Mz Social Butterfly Network LLC
MAE is a dynamic entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker. She is the Founder and CEO of Mz Social Butterfly Network, LLC, a platform dedicated to empowering women and fostering personal growth.
23. LaShawn R. Johnson, Purpose Alignment Coach
Purpose in Progress
My name is LaShawn R. Johnson. I am a mom, coach, educator, and full-time student. I am the Creator of Purpose in Progress, where I empower women & mothers to heal, rise, and walk boldly in who God called them to be by overcoming trauma, rediscovering identity, and walking in purpose.
24. Cheana Leon, Owner
Mann Maid Cleaning Service
My name is LaShawn R. Johnson. I am a mom, coach, educator, and full-time student. I am the Creator of Purpose in Progress, where I empower women & mothers to heal, rise, and walk boldly in who God called them to be by overcoming trauma, rediscovering identity, and walking in purpose.
25. Sherneice Gatewood Alli, CEO/Founder
We Are Phenomenal Women, Inc.
Mrs. Sherneice Gatewood-Alli is the CEO and Founder of We Are Phenomenal Women (W.A.P.W.), a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization launched in 2015 to advocate for survivors of domestic violence. A survivor herself, she created W.A.P.W. to provide safe spaces, free support groups, workshops, and education focused on healing, prevention, and empowerment.
Mrs. Gatewood-Alli holds an MBA from MCNY College and is certified in Intimate Partner Violence, Thrive NYC Mental Health, NYSDOH Domestic Violence Life Coaching, and Career Coaching. She is also an author of I Am Phenomenal Journal and Workbook, with upcoming titles focused on self-care and burnout recovery.
Through W.A.P.W., she has led a 12-week domestic violence training program, secured multiple grants, and facilitated workshops across New York City, with a home site in Harlem. A respected community leader and keynote speaker, her work has earned numerous awards, media features, and state citations. Her mission is clear: restore dignity, self-love, and access to healing for women of all ages.
26. Hyacinth Tucker, CEO
The Laundry Basket LLC
I’m Hyacinth Tucker, the Founder and Owner of The Laundry Basket® LLC, a tech-enabled laundry and dry-cleaning pickup and delivery company serving Maryland, DC, Northern Virginia, Northeast Ohio, Atlanta, and beyond. I’m a Jamaican immigrant, veteran, and serial entrepreneur who believes deeply in creating businesses that make life easier for people while opening doors for those who are often overlooked.
I built The Laundry Basket in July 2022 with no background in the laundry industry—just a clear mission: to give people back their time, reduce stress, and bring dignity to a service most people take for granted. Today our company provides both convenience and community impact through The Laundry Basket Institute, which creates workforce pathways for veterans, returning citizens, and young adults.
My purpose is rooted in service, self-determination, and lifting others as I grow. What drives me every day is knowing that something as simple as laundry can become a vehicle for empowerment, opportunity, and generational change.
27. Kyrie Teel, CEO/Founder
K. Style Collection LLC
I’m Kyrie Teel, CEO and Founder of K. Style Collection LLC—a faith-forward fashion and accessories brand rooted in confidence, resilience, and purpose. My professional background spans civil service, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and brand building, supported by my certification in Women’s Entrepreneurship from the Bank of America Institute at Cornell University. I also serve as Director of Team Illustrious New Life Circle, where I mentor and lead over 100 entrepreneurs toward personal growth and business success.
One of the greatest motivators behind K. Style Collection was my journey overcoming breast cancer. Walking through that season reshaped my perspective on life, faith, and calling. It taught me the power of showing up—even when you’re healing—and reminded me that beauty, strength, and hope can coexist in the midst of adversity. That experience fueled my commitment to create something meaningful, not just profitable.
K. Style Collection is more than a brand; it’s ministry in motion. Through curated jewelry and accessories products, education, and community, we empower women to reclaim their confidence, build sustainable income, and step boldly into who God created them to be. My mission is driven by the belief that when women are reminded of their worth and supported with intention, they don’t just survive—they thrive, lead, and leave legacy.
28. Dr. Dré Cleveland, Your Personal POWER Coach
Girl, Get Your Life Together
Dr. Dré Cleveland, Your Personal P.O.W.E.R. Coach, is a prolific speaker, author, life coach, and intuitive healer. With nearly 20 years in the field of personal and professional development, Dré has brought eye-opening and intriguing programs and keynotes to various business, educational, and social organizations that tap into the core of who we are as human beings on our personal journeys to self-discovery, self-love, and manifesting our deepest desires.
She has also been invited to speak on both national and international stages, sharing the platform with POWERhouse speakers like Bill Walsh, Gary Coxe, and Les Brown. Dré has been featured in the documentary Head Ladies in Charge and has participated in various radio shows, including The Jeff Foxx Radio Show, and several events, including The New York Black Expo and The Sista 2 Sista Youth Summit featured on Essence.com.
29. Charlotte Marshall, Founder/Executive Director
R.OS.E.B.U.D.S./M.A.S.T.E.R. Mentoring Program Inc.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, and a Master’s Degree in English/Creative Writing, and another Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership with a Certificate in Leadership of Non-Profit Organizations. I am the author of eight books and the founder and Executive Director of R.O.S.E.B.U.D.S./M.A.S.T.E.R. Mentoring Program for boys and girls. I have been working with youth for over 25 years, and it gives me purpose to help young people reach their purpose. What drives me is being of service to the community and helping individuals to reach and maximize their full potential.
30. Yvonne Christopher, CEO
Irresistablestyles
My name is Yvonne Hemphill Christopher My goals & passion for designing costume jewelry began after being diagnosed with a rare disease that stopped me from working as a nurse aide after 33 years. Since 2013 I have followed my passion for designing costume jewelry for women & men.
As you turn the final pages of this issue, we invite you to stay connected to the stories, strategies, and women shaping what leadership looks like next. SistersRise! Magazine is more than a publication. It is a platform for vision, legacy, and real conversations that move women forward in business and life. If these stories resonated with you, do not let this be the end. Subscribe to SistersRise! Magazine to receive future issues, exclusive features, and updates highlighting women who lead with purpose and impact. Join our growing community by subscribing below: Click the button.