THE LEAD ANNOUNCES THE DIRECT 60 LIST OF 2026:
TOP EXECUTIVES MASTERING THE BUSINESS OF BRANDS

New York, August 25, 2026 – The Lead announces their sixth annual The Direct 60 List. The Direct 60 List recognizes executives redefining the go-to-market strategies for the world’s most iconic brands. By harnessing next-generation strategies, and technology, these visionary executives propel growth and ensure market leadership in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment being continually reshaped by AI.

“In 2026, a clear pattern emerged across nearly every conversation on this list: leaders are moving quickly on AI while working just as hard to protect what AI can’t replicate. Almost every executive we spoke with described balancing aggressive adoption with a deliberate focus on the human elements that shape their brand’s voice, their teams’ judgment, and customer trust. They know which problems to solve, stay close to the customer, and build the structure needed to turn good ideas into scalable ones. That balance, embracing technology while protecting what stays human, is what defines this year’s Direct 60,” said Sonal Gandhi, Chief Content Officer at The Lead.

The 2026 Direct 60 List honorees are:

  • Natasha Fishman, CMO, Marquee Brands
  • Anna Irving, Chief Digital & Commercial Officer, Alexander Wang
  • Adnan Somani, EVP, Digital Technology, Authentic Brands Group
  • Holly Adams, SVP, Digital & Wholesale, Coach
  • Ruchika Julapalli, SVP, Digital Experience & Technology, J.Crew Group 
  • Samantha Cohen, Chief Marketing & Social Impact Officer, Kenneth Cole
  • Kate Rogowski, Head of Marketing, H&M U.S.
  • Sahal Laher, EVP/CIO, Centric Brands
  • Andrew Lederman, VP, Global Digital Commerce, Mondelēz International
  • Jaclyn Gruenbaum, VP, Marketing – Beauty, Gap, Inc.
  • Samantha Critchell, VP, Corporate Communications, E.L.F. BEAUTY
  • David Oksman, VP, Brand & Digital Excellence, Samsonite
  • Alex Richardson, CTO, KHAITE
  • Jess Burns, SVP, Global Marketing & Communications, rag & bone
  • Carrie Gross, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, Dr. Dennis Gross
  • Eleni Makriannis, SVP, Global Ecommerce and Merchandising, APP Group
  • Rachel Lockett, VP, Marketing & Consumer Engagement, MAC Cosmetics
  • Shanna Weinblatt, VP, Innovation & Beauty Tech, Coty
  • Laurie Falletta, VP, Ecommerce, Cole Haan
  • Sara Rose, VP, Marketing, Knitwell Group – LOFT
  • Joelle Robertson, VP, Ecommerce, Authentic Brands Group
  • Kenny Moore, Head of Marketing, Brita US
  • Kavita Baball, VP, Digital Experience and Corporate Strategy, Movado Group
  • Colleen Clarke, VP, Integrated Marketing, Brilliant Earth
  • Gary Haas, VP, Digital & Ecommerce, WHP Global
  • Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer, Naturepedic
  • Oscar Diaz, SVP, Technology & Digital Innovation, G-III Apparel Group
  • Seth Tishler, SVP, Operations and Customer Experience, Hanro
  • Leala Francis, SVP, Consumer Product & Customer Experience, AG1
  • Nilofer Vahora, CMO, amika
  • Joe McCambley, CMO, Saatva
  • Molly Delp, Chief Growth Officer, NuFACE
  • Lauren Weinberg, CMO, Supergoop!
  • Carley Caldas, SVP, Marketing & Creative, eos
  • Katia Unlu, Chief Commercial Officer, Boll & Branch
  • Lisa Zlotnick, U.S. Head of Brand PR, SHEIN
  • Kim Dao, VP, Brand, Every Man Jack
  • Amy Sullivan, VP, Buying & Private Brands, Stitch Fix
  • Nicolle Feria Pino, VP, Engagement Marketing, Zenni Optical
  • Victoria Vaynberg, CMO, Nanit
  • Carney Nir, VP, Ecommerce & Digital Experience, Orveon Global (bareMinerals, Laura Mercier)
  • Erwan Le Berrigaud, CMO, NEST New York
  • Jesse Miller, VP, Digital Marketing & E-Commerce, LIV Golf
  • Matt Ezyk, VP, Digital Commerce and Experience, Maxwood Furniture
  • Stephanie Laures, Chief Digital Officer, Todd Snyder
  • Steve Gewirtz, EVP, Retail, TileBar
  • Mike Jacobs, Chief Growth Officer, Consortium Brands (Draper James, Outdoor Voices, Jonathan Adler)
  • Geri Moran, VP, Marketing, abc carpet & home
  • Dave Knospe, CMO, New Belgium Brewing
  • Brittany Meeks, VP, Ecommerce Retailers – Global Amazon & Pure Play, OLAPLEX
  • Dina Fierro, VP, Global Consumer Engagement, K18 Hair
  • Kirsten Guerry, SVP, Marketing, Comfrt
  • Meredith Diehn, SVP, Marketing, goodwipes
  • Lauren Sherman-Kaoud, Chief Marketing & Creative Officer, Ruggable
  • Anna Doré, VP, Brand and Communications, Rothy’s
  • Rosa Compean, VP, Marketing, Gimme Seaweed
  • Jeremy Lowenstein, CMO, Milani Cosmetics
  • Tommy Kowalski, VP, Digital Commerce, HeyDude & Crocs
  • Seth Yassky, Head of Partnerships Marketing & Commercialization, Proximo Spirits (JOSE CUERVO, Bushmills, GRAN CENTENARIO)
  • Ana Gerst, VP, Marketing, Brand & Medical, Hiya
 

The Direct 60 List Honorees will be recognized in person at The Direct 60 Forum on October 8th in New York City. In its sixth year, The Direct 60 Forum is a by-invitation, intimate gathering, for senior brand leaders. Designed for curated networking, meaningful content, and elevated experiences, The Direct 60 Forum is where industry leaders come to shape what’s next.

The Direct 60 List is presented in partnership with EMARKETER.

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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Press Contact: nisha@the-lead.co