EVA CHEN

THE WORLD OF FASHION has long been an enclave, the exclusive province of models, designers and celebrities. Now, Eva Chen is turning that formula on its head, working to democratize the industry. As she says, she is “taking down the velvet ropes that surround the fashion world and bringing a new generation of voices into the spotlight.”

REACH:: 2.2 million on social media

What’s next: Continue to fashion industry

With 2.2 million social media followers, Chen is helping designers, stylists, makeup artists and others in the glamour world use Instagram to tell their stories, connect with their fans and extend their reach.

“It’s really important to help creators and people in general feel like they can participate,” she said. “ rough Instagram they are able to feel part of this world and that they can [have] careers in the industry.” eir participation is a testament to Instagram’s—and Chen’s—draw in the fashion world. Instagram has sponsored two Metropolitan Museum galas, and more tools to build connections between followers and fashion industry notables on her agenda. at’s one reason she will focus more on video this year, she said.

Indeed, with its in uencers, its shopping apps, fashion critics and streaming fashion shows, Instagram has become a destination for fans and designers alike, whether in Paris or Des Moines. Chen, a former editor-in-chief of fashion magazine Lucky, joined the platform in 2015. She has introduced features such as the Meta Virtual Fashion Store, where users can shop for clothing for their digital avatars from name designers such as Prada and Balenciaga.

Chen wants to help the fashion industry understand that it needs to break away from its insistence on picture-perfect images if it wants to connect and resonate with a new generation of fans and consumers.

“Video transports you,” she said. “You feel like you’re there. It’s one of the many ways to create connection.”

Commissioner, WNBA Secretary, Partnership for New York City

REACH: 412,000 average WNBA game viewership, according to WSN.com

WHAT’S NEXT: Position the WNBA for the next 50 years

30%, Englebert led a workforce of more than 100,000 professionals. Today, as the rst commis-

WHEN SHE WAS CEO OF nancial services rm Deloitte U.S.—the rst female CEO of a Big Four accounting rm—Catherine Englebert introduced a 16-week family leave, not just for new mothers and fathers but for anyone with a compelling family issue. When competitors heard about it, she said, they told her she had led the way and that it was time they stepped up too. at’s in uence. At Deloitte, where she boosted revenues by 30%, Englebert led a workforce of more than 100,000 professionals. Today, as the rst commissioner of the Women’s National Basketball Association, she oversees a smaller universe—12 teams and 144 players—but she is still scoring wins.

Since joining the WNBA in 2019, Engelbert has raised $75 million for the league, stepped up marketing—including a set of rst-ever marketing deals with 11 players to promote the league, even in the o season. In addition, the WNBA sealed a new collective bargaining agreement with the players. In 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, which could have spelled the demise of some teams, she succeeded in putting on a season, albeit a short one. e 2021 and 2022 seasons that followed were the league’s most viewed in 13 and 14 years, respectively.

“We had built the trust,” Englebert said. “ e players stepped up.”

It was on her watch that WNBA player Brittney Griner was released from Russian detention after being imprisoned for nine months for carrying hashish oil into Russia in her luggage.

Now her focus is on globalizing the sport and setting the league up “for the next 50 years.” On her must-do list: expand the number of teams, grow the fan base, increase media coverage, and change the way corporate sponsors view women’s sports.

“We are positioning ourselves for the next media deal to drive revenue and pay players more,” said the former college basketball player and team captain.

Leaders, she said, need to be strategic—“one page with three things on it”—and authentic.

“Leadership is about making tough decisions and about seeing the future and being long term in your thinking,” she said. “[It’s] about spending chips, disrupting things, sensing the shifts forward—and listening.”