Women constantly inspire those around them, and 2024 hasn’t changed that. From breaking barriers to realizing visions, these ten exceptional women represent a brighter future for the whole world. They are business leaders, creatives, innovators, and dreamers who have seized the opportunity this year and will continue to do so moving forward. By exploring their lives and achievements, you will be inspired to chase new possibilities.
Angela Zeng
As the founder and CEO of the health and wellness brand Karviva, Angela Zeng promotes a healing and sustainable future for all. Building on a background in pathology from the St. Louis University School of Medicine, Angela began a new journey. With her knowledge, she launched an entrepreneurial venture combining traditional Chinese medicine with modern wellness practices.
Karviva Healthy Juices was a beverage combining herbal science and holistic healing through organic and non-GMO antioxidants, prebiotic fiber, and clean protein. Angela has received recognition from the Women’s Business Development Center and the St. Louis Business Journal for promoting good health and wellness and maintaining a commitment to sustainability and community.
She also earned a 2021 Mid-America Emmy Award for promoting health and wellness.
Karviva is Angela’s vision for the future of holistic wellness that can make a real impact. It is not just a health product; her goal is for everyone to enjoy a healthy, mindful, and sustainable life.
Ashley Elizabeth Tuffnell
As a holistic wellness entrepreneur, Ashley Elizabeth Tuffnell promotes Kangen water as a means toward optimal health, adhering to her motto: “Change your water, change your life.”
Since 2010, Ashley has specialized in clean hair care, skincare, makeup, and stem-cell growth drinking water as a partner with Enagic U.S.A. Inc. while simultaneously acting as the CEO and co-founder of Evolve Empire Real Estate Partners. Alongside promoting holistic wellness, Ashley leads her premier property management company to offer high-end real estate services to its clients.
In 2020, Ashley also joined Monat Global Corp, becoming one of the company’s top 3% in only four months by promoting the company’s organic, vegan, and cruelty-free products. She is also a brand ambassador for LifeWave Inc., which offers phototherapy patches to stimulate stem-cell growth and enhance one’s health and well-being.
Ashley is an influencer in her daily life and work. She is passionate about health and wellness and the products she trusts.
Follow her on Instagram @LadybossAshleyTuffnell, Facebook @AshleyElizabethTuffnell, LinkedIn @LinkedIn.com/in/ashleytuffnell, and msha.ke/ashleyelizabethtuffnell to access her holistic content.
Cherizar Walker
Aerospace engineer, healing artist, researcher, shamanic practitioner, and storyteller are just a few of the titles that describe Cherizar Walker’s life and work. Originally from Los Angeles, she now lives in Montreal with her son. Her unique life experience has built a holistic health and writing career, and she published her first book on August 6, 2024.
The Conception of Utopia is a memoir of Cherizar’s experience studying with renowned shamans and holistic healers in the mountains of Ecuador. It is a personal account of healing and transformation, containing never-before-recorded teachings and examinations of how they might address modern challenges. The book comprises Cherizar’s effort to “rewild her heart,” embarking on a spiritual path and guiding the journey ahead.
Christine Stoddard
Christine Stoddard is a talented artist, filmmaker, performer, writer, and founder of Quail Bell Press and Productions. She hosts Badass Lady-Folk and Don’t Mind If I Don’t alongside Aaron Gold, television shows filmed at Manhattan Neighborhood Network and available for streaming on YouTube @badassladyfolk and @dontmindtheshow.
She has also recently launched the YouTube channel @stodardsays, earning thousands of views for her filmed play Mi Abuela, Queen of Nightmares, and her coverage of Columbia University protests.
Christine has earned awards for her films Sirena’s Gallery, Uncontested, Bottled, Her Garden, and De Colores (Chorus of Melancholy). A prolific writer, she has authored acclaimed books, including Desert Fox by the Sea, Belladonna Magic, Heaven is a Photograph, Water for the Cactus Woman, Hispanic & Latino Heritage in Virginia, and other titles. Her work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Digital America, The Huffington Post, Yes! Magazine, Bustle, Marie Claire, Rutgers University’s Rejoinder, Teen Vogue, Ravishly, and more.
Named one of Brooklyn Magazine’s “Top 50 Most Fascinating People” and Ms. Magazine’s “Ms. Muse,” Christine is undoubtedly an accomplished figure.
Jayeeta Putatunda
As a woman in tech, Jayeeta Putatunda worked hard to achieve her standing as a Senior Data Scientist and Manager of Emerging Technology at Fitch Ratings. She boasts extensive experience in natural language processing (NLP), statistical modeling, and scalable machine learning (ML) solutions.
Her knowledge of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has enabled her to develop exciting business solutions and explore advanced open-source models to create impactful products.
Jayeeta is deeply committed to diversity in the tech space. She mentors women in STEM through the Women Who Code program and Google’s Women Techmakers initiative. She serves as an ambassador for Women in Data Science at Stanford, an NYC Chapter lead for Women in AI, and a mentor at Girl Up, the United Nations Foundation, and the WomenTech Network. She also holds memberships in the 100 Women in Finance and the Women’s Bond Club organizations.
Believing that data is the best storyteller, Jayeeta has served as a speaker at several prestigious conferences. She has spoken at ICML, ODSC, and the WomenTech Global Conference, helping to break barriers for women in the tech space and create a more inviting community.
Jessica Quarello
Mother, creative, and advocate Jessica Quarello (Jess Quarello) is an accomplished Short Hills, New Jersey resident. Her journey in motherhood began in 2020 when she gave birth to her daughter Adeline, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Initially, Jess found the diagnosis to be traumatic and scary, but her passion for her daughter drove her to become an advocate in the disability community.
Jess founded the advocacy platform Extra Lucky Moms alongside Taryn Lagonigro to pursue this goal. ELM is committed to showing the world what it means to be extra lucky and inspiring those outside the disability community to strive toward an inclusive world.
As the Extra Lucky Podcast co-host and sharing her advocacy efforts on TikTok, Jess has partnered with inclusive brands to inspire others to embrace a new perspective. She is also the co-author of Dear Mama: Stories of an Extra Lucky Life.
Jess continues to work on her music and advocacy initiatives while raising her two daughters, spreading the joy of disability caregiving, and building a better future.
Marjori Pretti
Alongside her mother and sister, Marjori Pretti co-founded Pretti Aesthetics in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. As a registered nurse and entrepreneur, Marjori is dedicated to making her business the best it can be and delivering exceptional results.
Marjori is distinguished from other aestheticians by her attention to symmetry. She trained with top Brazilian and United States providers to refine her technique. By combining the knowledge of these two practices, Marjori works toward “balancing one’s face.”
She has been recognized for creating the “Brazilian Lip Technique,” which focuses on delicacy and a well-defined Cupid’s Bow. For her work, Marjori has been nominated as one of the “Top 100 Injectors in the USA.”
Marjori continues to refine her practice, mastering new procedures and styles while improving her patented technique. In addition to her work, Marjori educates experienced injectors on her techniques.
Mashi Epting
With a background in entrepreneurship, healthcare, finance, and personal development, Mashi Epting has an extensive and experienced career. Currently working as a healthcare professional and business executive, she is the founder of Complete Treatment and Complete Taxes and the developer of the Complete Tax and Training Software.
Mashi is also a multi-state life agent and mentor, a certified therapeutic recreation specialist who empowers others with strategies to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Mashi has used her impressive business acumen and knowledge of personal well-being to build a portfolio of successes, whether accounting for her business ventures or her support work. She can carefully manage the needs of her businesses and address those of others, and she is passionate about innovation and growth.
A master strategist, Mashi uses her experience to guide businesses and individuals toward personal and professional success. Her work has granted her a reputation as an empowering individual who prioritizes others while finding success in all she does.
Sian Gunney
Sian Gunney is a motivational success strategist based in Toronto. She helps businesses overcome frustrations and reinvigorate their drive toward success. Using her 20 years of digital disruption marketing, Sian pushes companies and personal brands toward their full potential while staying ahead of the competition.
Sian teaches her clients about self-disruption, refocusing, and repositioning. By prioritizing these three elements of success, she is sure that any business can turn itself around and find a path for the future.
Of course, Sian never promised that her method would be easy. Utilizing closed-loop marketing and media strategies, she can demonstrate the impact of a marketing campaign on the bottom line and educate others on their proper execution. Those businesses and individuals who see the vision are positioned to become market leaders.
With a clientele spanning the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada, as well as celebrities and industry leaders seeking her guidance, Sian has proven herself a powerful marketing force. Her record of brand revitalization has solidified her position in the business world.
Vanessa Kahlon
As the founder and executive director of Kahlon Family Services (KFS), Vanessa Kahlon has dedicated herself to supporting families for more than two decades. She is also the leader of the KFS school, a K-8 program that serves the San Francisco and Bay Area communities.
She provides behavioral consultations, social skills groups, and family assistance for navigating children’s learning and behavioral challenges. Her work has relieved numerous parents while helping them understand their children’s needs.
Vanessa has established YEAS YOGA, a curriculum intended to help high-spirited children self-regulate, and introduced the 3R Method, which prioritizes social-emotional learning through building relationships. The San Bernardino Unified School District has adopted Vanessa’s book, How to Do Parenting With Confidence. She also hosts “Parenting with Vanessa Kahlon” on 95.7 The Game at 7:30 AM every Saturday.
Vanessa’s remarkable work has garnered several awards and recognitions, including Woman of the Year from the National Association of Professional Women and recognition among the Top 30 Influential Entrepreneurs. She has been featured in Forbes New York, Bloomberg, and the New York Journal, as well as in TV and podcast interviews.
An Inspiration Toward Success
These ten women encompass various fields and areas of expertise, backgrounds, and paths to success. They are examples of leadership and innovation from every corner of the world, and their stories show that everyone has the potential to create meaningful change. Their journeys inspire those who have a vision, a dream to chase something that will resonate with those around them—these ten women show that nothing can hold them back.
