THE D60 NEXT OF 2025:
TOMORROW’S LEADERS DRIVING BRANDS OF TODAY
New York, August 19, 2025 – Today, The Lead announces The D60 NEXT List. Following the highly distinguished The Direct 60 List of leading brand executives, The D60 NEXT List showcases the next generation of talent, the rising stars shaping the future of consumer brands.
The D60 NEXT are responsible for implementing the brand’s strategic direction, demonstrating leadership and embracing new technologies, thereby playing a pivotal role in their organization.
The Lead gathered nominations for the list from peers, supervisors, partners and industry experts. The nominees were interviewed by The Lead content team along with members of the selection committee. The D60 Next were selected for their acumen, creativity, adaptability and ability to execute. Above all, they demonstrate leadership and bring a new level of commitment to running the business of brands.
“For the past four years, The Lead has published The Direct 60 list, recognizing senior executives who are mastering the business of brands. This year, we are excited to introduce The D60 NEXT, spotlighting the emerging generation of leadership. While The Direct 60 executives define the vision and direction, The D60 NEXT bring that vision to fruition. We anticipate featuring these rising stars on The Direct 60 List in the years to come. The fifth annual Direct 60 List will be released on September 3rd, 2025. Together, The Direct 60 and The D60 NEXT are collectively shaping the future of iconic brands.” said Sonal Gandhi, Chief Content Officer at The Lead.
The 2025 D60 NEXT List selectees are:
- Michelle Newby, Senior Director, Brand Marketing & Social Media, Ann Taylor
- Jennifer Martinez Velazquez, Senior Director, Outlet Ecommerce NA, Coach
- Jerry Wang, Senior Director, Omnichannel NA, Celine
- Margo Oshry, Senior Director, Talent & Influencer Marketing, Authentic Brands Group
- Sarah Milligan, Director, Digital Experience, VINCE
- Astha Sinha, Director, Product Management MarTech, American Eagle Outfitters
- Blair Rafuse, Senior Director, IT, Ecommerce & Digital, Centric Brands
- Stephanie Campbell, Director, Social Media, Anthropologie
- Jessica Street, Senior Director, Digital Marketing & Ecommerce Performance, Patagonia
- Shannen McLoughlin, Senior Director, CRM, UNTUCKit
- Angela Lane, Ecommerce Head, US, OMEGA Watches
- Fabian Brunner, Director, Digital Marketing & Marketplaces, HEYDUDE
- Hannah Laher, Director, Ecommerce, Nuts.com
- Brittany Uhal, Director, Ecommerce NA, Fresh Beauty – LVMH
- Cat Quinn, Executive Director, Social & Trend, MAC Cosmetics
- Ken Pelasky, Global Head, DTC, Aritzia
- Kylee Clarke, Senior Director, Brand Marketing – Running & Training, Nike
- Nicolas Smotek, Senior Director, Global DTC Digital Technology, Deckers Brands
- Kevin Hill, Director, Digital Product, FULLBEAUTY Brands
- Karishma Donde, Director, AI Strategy, Gap, Inc.
- Grace Edinger, Director, Product Management, Stanley Black & Decker
- Cati Brunell-Brutman, Head of Customer Experience, Glossier
- Jordan Bowry, Senior Director, Retention Marketing & Global CRM, Michael Kors
- Isaac Korn, Senior Director, Innovation, Perry Ellis International
- Jacqs Carroll, Director, Digital Product, Authentic Brands Group
- Katie Buczek, Senior Director, Ecommerce, Randa Apparel & Accessories
- Aylin Nazlim, Director, Program Management & PMO, Global Online LACE, The Estée Lauder Companies
- Kelly Chu, Director, Strategic Initiatives, Calvin Klein
- Olga Alpeter, Director, Marketing (Qtips & Canada), Elida Beauty
- Nitin Tyagi, Director, Platform Tools & Innovation Product, Tapestry
- Madisen Theobald, Global Director, Social Creative, MAC Cosmetics
- Amber Bazdar, Director, Visual Merchandising, North America, New Balance
- Golda Painten, Director, Digital Marketplaces, Marquee Brands
- Lisa Whittaker, Senior Director, Digital Marketing, Shake Shack
- Allen Lo, Senior Director, Marketing Analytics & Customer Growth, Carter’s
- Heaven Schydlowsky, Director, Digital Product & Ecommerce, MERIT
- Kristine Ayala, Director, Social & Influencers, RoC Skincare
- Jean-Marc Lacroix, Director, Ecommerce, Stetson
- Brooke Palandro, Director, Copy & Content Strategy, Supergoop!
- Michael Fulton, Senior Director, Data Science & Analytics, PVH
- Nicole Goldbaum, Director, Consumer Insights, Tapestry
- Kyla Hanrahan, Director, Brand Strategy Harry’s Labs, Mammoth Brands
- Dovi Meyer, Director, Innovation Strategy, American Eagle Outfitters
- Danielle Zwernemann, Director, Licensing, Nicole Miller
- Jing Chen, Director, Digital Marketing, The Estée Lauder Companies
- Aaron Katz, Director, Acquisition Marketing, Authentic Brands Group
- Meghan Crane, Director, Market Insights, PVH
- Sarah Vickery, Director, Consumer Insights, Tapestry
- Makeda Deccu, Head of Omnichannel NA, Philipp Plein
- Stephanie Thrasher, Head of DTC NA, Logitech
- Merrill McDermott, Director, Media (Personal Care), Native
- Meyrav Ohayon Danan, Director, Ecommerce Operations, Ralph Lauren
- Alali Williams, Senior Director, Brand Marketing & Direct, Wacoal America
- Janiqua Spencer, Director, Ecommerce & Customer Experience, Brother International Corp.
- Whitney Shiver, Director, Channel Marketing, Vineyard Vines
- Ashlee Cram, Senior Director, Brand Media & Performance Marketing, adidas
- Caroline Proto, Director, Global Media, EssilorLuxottica
- Brian Smith, Director of Brand Marketing, the LEGO Group
- Alex Funk, Sr. Director, Performance Media, Skechers
- Amanda Craig, Director, Performance Marketing – Loyalty, Owned Channels & Paid Media, EXPRESS
The D60 NEXT List selectees will be recognized in person at The D60 NEXT Forum on October 9th in New York City. This by-invitation event is a gathering for 100+ director-level brand & retail attendees.
ABOUT THE LEAD
The Lead is a media and events company that helps brands compete in an increasingly digital and direct selling environment by introducing future business trends, presenting winning strategies, and connecting brands with the right technologies. The Lead showcases actionable insights across marketing, ecommerce, stores, customer experience and last mile for brands selling direct.
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