Remarkable Marketers I Admire for Their Curiosity, Creativity, and Commitments

I like to keep a list of marketers I learn about from podcasts, interviews, articles, or tv profiles. They stand out because of their creativity, curiosity, and commitment to solving challenging marketing conundrums.

I keep a running list of these people and their stories on my phone.

When I shared the list with a friend, she said, do you realize almost 80% of the list are women?

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

And most of my marketing friends and colleagues are women.

The marketing teams I have worked with have been primarily women throughout my career. In my experience, women tend to be better marketers but often don’t get the credit that male marketers do.

I have read too many articles about Jobs, Musk, and Bezos.

Do You Know Sadie, Amy, and Maggie?

In the last few years, on this blog,  I have written profiles of admired marketers like Sadie Olsen from Otto’s Natural, who I suggested should be known as The Cassava Queen. Amy Zitelman and her two sisters, Shelby and Jackie, are co-owners of Philadelphia-based Soom Foods, AKA the “Soom Sisters. And in Raleigh, Maggie Kane and her incredible A Place At The Table nonprofit reinvention of the soup kitchen.

The entrepreneurs on my list below have stayed relevant and become business leaders, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. Many of these women have moved on from the jobs listed, but they are often best known for their work at the companies mentioned. Their marketing brilliance made me sit up and take notice.

Remarkable Marketing Leaders

Bozoma Saint John – As the Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix, Bozoma Saint John has recently worked on some of the most successful campaigns, including the Black Lives Matter collection, the “Holidate” campaign, and the “Sex Education” campaign. Her focus on diversity and inclusion has made her a trailblazer in the industry.

Anne Finucane – As the Vice Chairman of Bank of America, Anne Finucane has promoted the bank’s brand and message. She is known for her work on the “Better Money Habits” campaign, which aimed to improve financial literacy in the United States.

Minali Chatani – As the Head of the Brand at Uber, Minali Chatani oversees the company’s global brand strategy. She is known for her work on the “Move Forward” campaign, which aimed to promote Uber as a reliable and safe mode of transportation.

Jen Rubio – As the Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Away, Jen Rubio has revolutionized the luggage industry. Her focus on creating a stylish and functional brand has made Away one of the most popular luggage brands on the market.

Susan Wojcicki – As the CEO of YouTube, Susan Wojcicki is responsible for the platform’s marketing strategy. Her focus on creating a safe and inclusive community has made YouTube one of the most popular video platforms in the world.

Tara Walpert Levy – As the Vice President of Agency and Brand Solutions at Google, Tara Walpert Levy has worked on some of the most successful marketing campaigns in recent years. She is known for her work on the “Love Has No Labels” campaign, which aimed to promote diversity and inclusion.

Katia Beauchamp – As the Co-Founder and CEO of Birchbox, Katia Beauchamp has disrupted the beauty industry. Her focus on personalized beauty products has made Birchbox one of the most popular subscription services in the world.

Maria Popova – As the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Brain Pickings, Maria Popova has created one of the most popular blogs on the internet. Her focus on the intersection of art, culture, and science has made Brain Pickings a go-to source for people looking to expand their minds.

Lisa Gersh – As the CEO of Alexander Wang, Lisa Gersh has worked on some of the most successful fashion campaigns in recent years. Her focus on creating an edgy and sophisticated brand has made Alexander Wang one of the most popular fashion brands in the world.

Ten More Remarkable MarketersLet Us Now Praise These Famous Women

Emily Weiss – Founder and CEO of Glossier, a skincare and makeup brand that has taken the beauty industry by storm, emphasizing inclusivity and authenticity.

Whitney Wolfe Herd – Founder and CEO of Bumble, a dating app that has transformed the online dating, focusing on empowering women and promoting healthy relationships.

Nnena Ukuku – Co-founder and Partner at BlackRock’s Innovation Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in technology startups disrupting industries.

Angela Ahrendts – Former Senior Vice President of Apple Retail and CEO of Burberry, who has pioneered the retail industry, blending technology and luxury to create unforgettable customer experiences.

Sara Blakely – Founder and CEO of Spanx, a brand that has revolutionized the shapewear industry by providing comfortable and empowering undergarments for women of all shapes and sizes.

Kat Cole – CEO of Focus Brands, which owns well-known franchises such as Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, and Carvel. Kat’s leadership and marketing strategies have helped the company grow to over 6,000 locations worldwide.

Payal Kadakia – Co-founder and CEO of ClassPass, a fitness subscription service that allows members to access various fitness classes and studios in their area. Payal’s innovative approach to fitness has disrupted the industry and made working out more accessible to everyone.

Sophia Amoruso – Founder and CEO of Nasty Gal, an online fashion retailer that started as a vintage clothing store on eBay. Sophia’s marketing and business acumen helped grow the company into a multi-million-dollar empire.

Reshma Saujani – Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organization that aims to close the gender gap in technology by teaching girls to code. Reshma’s advocacy and leadership have helped inspire a new generation of women in tech.

Tracy Sun – Co-founder and VP of New Markets at Poshmark, a social commerce platform that allows users to buy and sell fashion items. Tracy’s marketing strategies have helped Poshmark become one of the most popular resale platforms in the world. (note: my wife uses Poshmark and has 169K followers. Check her out on Poshmark @dolphinlight)

These women entrepreneurs have not only made a name for themselves in their respective industries but have also created businesses that are making a significant impact on people’s lives. From disrupting industries to empowering women and promoting inclusivity, these women are leaders in marketing and beyond.

They have broken barriers, paved the way for future generations, and created some of the most successful campaigns in recent years.

They inspire all women and men, and their accomplishments should be celebrated.


You can set up a time to chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com Call me. 919 720 0995. The conversation is free, and we can explore if working together makes sense. Watch a short video about working with me.


Photo by Umar ben on Unsplash