I thought I’d seen it all—the flashy booths, the hype-heavy keynotes, the endless lingo about “agility” and “synergy.” But then, somewhere between a lukewarm coffee and another networking break, I sat in on a panel that reminded me why I keep coming back. It wasn’t just the brilliance of their insights—it was the raw humanity behind them. At this year’s IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum, it’s not just about what’s trending. It’s about who’s paving the way forward, not by shouting the loudest, but by thinking the deepest. This year, six women stood out. Not just as experts, but as leaders, thinkers, storytellers, and change-makers who remind us that innovation is about more than tools and tech—it’s about truth, tenacity, and transformation.

““The future isn’t something we predict. It’s something we build—with intention.”” — Armida Ascano

Armida Ascano

Trend Hunter’s Chief Insights Officer doesn’t just study the future—she shapes it. With over a decade at the helm of trend forecasting, Armida has mapped out the DNA of cultural shifts with an almost eerie precision. She’s the architect behind frameworks that help brands like Red Bull and Mastercard not just follow trends, but lead them.

What makes Armida remarkable isn’t just her data acumen—it’s her deep sensitivity to generational behavior and digital culture. She sees the nuance in a billion clicks, the narrative in every meme. At a time when information moves faster than thought, she’s the steady voice that reminds us: to understand the future, we need to understand each other.

Check out her LinkedIn and Trend Hunter’s YouTube for more!

Rebecca Heiss, Ph.D. – Turning Fear Into Fuel

Rebecca doesn’t just talk about fear—she dissects it, rewires it, and hands it back to us as power. A stress physiologist, bestselling author, and co-founder of GameChanger, a brain-based leadership platform, her message is clear: our biology isn’t our barrier—it’s our superpower.

Her concept of “Post-Traumatic Growth” hits especially hard right now. In a world still healing, Rebecca’s science-backed optimism doesn’t shy away from pain—it transforms it. Her talks feel like a reset button for the soul: challenging, compassionate, and bracingly honest. When she says “spread happy,” it’s not just a tagline. It’s a revolution.

Check out her LinkedIn and website for more.

April LeJeune – Leading with Trust

With two decades in client relationships and strategic sales, April LeJeune is the kind of leader who listens before she speaks—and when she does, people listen back. As SVP at Freeman, April has not only built lasting partnerships but nurtured rising talent across the industry.

What sets her apart is a rare mix of candor and care. She doesn’t just lead teams—she believes in them. April understands that the most strategic thing you can do in business is be human. Whether mentoring young professionals or managing high-stakes client deals, her secret weapon is empathy.

Check out her LinkedIn and work with Freeman for more info!

Yvette Simpson – Strategy With Soul

Yvette Simpson wears many hats—lawyer, political commentator, former city council president—but at the heart of everything she does is a desire to unlock power in others. Her firm, Your Power Unlocked, is more than a business—it’s a mission.

“”Authenticity—it’s about realizing the unique person you are is exactly what the world needs.”” — Yvette Simpson

Yvette brings a rare authenticity to every room she enters. She’s battled obstacles most people can’t see and still finds the strength to uplift others. Her speeches don’t sugarcoat the hard truths, but they do illuminate a path forward. Yvette doesn’t just offer advice—she offers herself, fully and unapologetically.

Check out her LinkedIn and website for more!

Sherron Washington – The MarComm Alchemist

Sherron Washington has a gift. She turns complex marketing problems into clean, compelling communication strategies that cut through noise and spark action. As the CEO of The P3 Solution and a beloved professor and speaker, she’s helped everyone from Goldman Sachs to solo entrepreneurs find their voice.

Sherron’s sessions are electric. She moves through a room like a lightning bolt—energizing, engaging, unforgettable. But beneath the boldness is a deep belief in connection. Her work isn’t about selling a product—it’s about creating synergy that feels like truth.

Check out her LinkedIn and website for more information!

Mori Taheripour – The Fearless Negotiator

There’s a reason Fortune 100 companies, major sports leagues, and global NGOs all turn to Mori Taheripour—she redefines what it means to negotiate. As a Wharton professor and the author of Bring Yourself, Mori’s philosophy is simple but radical: you are your strongest asset in any room.

Mori’s sessions are part negotiation masterclass, part emotional excavation. She teaches not just how to win the deal, but how to not lose yourself in the process. Her message is as timely as it is timeless: we don’t have to choose between success and selfhood.

Check out her LinkedIn and website for more information!

Conclusion

The IAEE Women’s Leadership doesn’t promise easy answers or overnight success. But it does promise real people, doing real work, with real heart. These six leaders aren’t just changing industries—they’re changing what leadership looks like. They remind us that innovation begins within: in how we speak, lead, and dare to believe in something better. So bring your notebook. Bring your questions. But most of all—bring yourself.

To get even more inspiration, check out 7 Small Businesses in NYC Revolutionizing Sustainable Fashion with Zero Waste and 5 Local Boutiques in Montreal Bringing Unique Home Decor Designs to Life.