KNOW Women 100 Winners 2026: 100 Top Female Leaders Honored Across America
Every spring, 100 high-achieving women earn a spot on the most competitive recognition list in female entrepreneurship. This year, the KNOW Women 100 winners 2026 have been officially announced — and the roster spans every industry from healthcare to philanthropy, from solo founders to seasoned executives. The announcement, made by KNOW Women global media, marks another milestone for an award that’s become a genuine benchmark for female leadership in North America.
If you haven’t heard of KNOW Women before, here’s your crash course. Now, if you already have, let’s go deeper.
What Is the 100 Women to KNOW in America Award?
Not every “Top Women” list deserves serious attention. This one does. The 100 Women to KNOW in America Award is described as the nation’s premier recognition program honoring high-achieving women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, professional excellence, and significant societal impact across various sectors. It’s not a popularity contest or a social media vote. Getting in requires a formal nomination, followed by a rigorous interview with a judging panel composed of former honorees, business leaders, and community advocates who share a commitment to excellence and equity.
Every nomination is carefully reviewed, weighing professional achievements, leadership qualities, community impact, and field-specific contributions. The KNOW Women 100 winners 2026 represent the final output of that process — women who didn’t just make it to the top of their industries, but actively pulled others up with them. Each winner will officially receive the KNOW Women 100 winners 2026 award at this year’s summit and gala.
Sarah Benken KNOW Women Announcement: The Woman Who Built This Movement
Behind every powerful institution is usually a powerful founder with a personal story. The Sarah Benken KNOW Women announcement for 2026 carries that same weight — because the person making it built this thing from scratch, on her own terms.
Sarah Benken Foushee, CEO and Publisher of KNOW Women, founded the company in 2018 in Phoenix. Her origin story isn’t a polished Silicon Valley narrative. She’s described herself publicly as a former teen mom and high school dropout who turned setback after setback into a seven-figure business with multiple exits. She combines an accounting and finance background with real-world bootstrapping experience — the Sarah Benken KNOW Women announcement isn’t just a PR release; it’s the culmination of a year’s worth of curation by someone who genuinely knows what it costs to build something from nothing.
Under her leadership, KNOW Women has grown into a global media company and network for ambitious businesswomen dedicated to helping members reach their next level. By 2025, the company had hosted more than 500 events and published profiles of over 6,000 women across North America, with a community of 18,000 female CEOs, business owners, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. The KNOW Women 100 winners 2026 are the latest chapter in that story.
In 2020, Foushee also launched KNOW Cares, the non-profit philanthropic arm of KNOW Women, focused on empowering, educating, and raising funds for women and youth worldwide — a reminder that this is never just about individual achievement.
KNOW Women Summit 2026 Phoenix: Three Days of Real Business
The KNOW Women Summit 2026 Phoenix is where all of this comes alive. Not virtually. In person. In the heart of downtown Phoenix.
The 7th Annual KNOW Summit is set to run April 12-14, 2026, at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix, a stylish boutique hotel situated in the city’s vibrant CityScape district. The KNOW Women Summit 2026 Phoenix is structured as three full days of workshops, panels, networking sessions, theme parties, wellness integrations, and keynote addresses — designed specifically for female business leaders who show up ready to work and ready to connect.
It’s not a passive conference experience. The programming is built around practical growth, real conversations, and the kind of peer access that actually changes trajectories. Previous attendees have described it as the event that introduced them to their next investor, their next partner, or simply the community they didn’t know they were missing.
The KNOW Women Award Gala 2026: An Evening Worth the Red Carpet
On April 14, the KNOW Women award gala 2026 closes out the summit with a black-tie ceremony at the Hotel Palomar. The evening begins with a red-carpet welcome and cocktail reception featuring live entertainment, tasting stations, and photo opportunities. Then attendees gather for the dinner and program where each honoree is called individually to the stage to be recognized for her achievements.
The KNOW Women award gala 2026 is presented by JP Morgan and VISA — two powerhouse financial institutions whose backing signals that this isn’t a niche event but a nationally recognized celebration of female business leadership. For many honorees, being called to that stage represents the moment their work finally gets the public acknowledgment it earned long ago.
The 100 Women to KNOW in America 2026 List: Who Made It?
The 100 Women to KNOW in America 2026 list is genuinely diverse — not just in terms of geography, but in industry, background, and business model. This year’s group includes entrepreneurs, executives, nonprofit leaders, healthcare professionals, legal experts, and creative innovators from across the United States and Canada. From healthcare non-profits to food brands, from legal firms to creative agencies, from military advocacy to media companies — the 100 Women to KNOW in America 2026 list cuts across nearly every sector where women are building something worth building.
Complete List of KNOW Women 100 Winners 2026
Below is the official roster of the KNOW Women 100 winners 2026, organized alphabetically with their affiliated companies and locations:
| Name | Company/Organization | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Abby Nydam | SAM | Philadelphia, PA |
| Ali’ce Haskins | Nurse Haskins PLLC | McDonough, GA |
| Alia Thomas | AP Consultants LLC | Edgewood, MD |
| Alison Besunder | Goetz Platzer LLP | New York, NY |
| Alix Lebec | LEBEC | Miami, FL |
| Alyssa Berthiaume | The Write Place Right Time | Phoenix, AZ |
| Amy Rochlin | Complex Disorders Alliance | New Canaan, CT |
| Amy Wister | RevShopp | Sacramento, CA |
| Ann Shoket | TheLi.st | New York, NY |
| Anna Sinclair | Sinclair Creative Agency Inc | Toronto, Canada |
| Asha Rani | Asha Rani DDS P.C. | White Plains, NY |
| Brianna Johnson | Lgnd Life Financial | Chicago, IL |
| Dr. Cameo Coleman | — | Fort Mill, SC |
| Candace Holyfield | — | Atlanta, GA |
| Caroline McDavid | Juiced Fuel | Charleston, SC |
| Cathy Csukas | AdLarge + the fwd. Network | Pelham, NY |
| Cathy Murphy | Venus Media Group | New York, NY |
| Charmaine Hickey | Lang Realty | Port St. Lucie, FL |
| Dr. Danielle Nicole Williams | S.T.I.G.M.A. Consulting Group LLC | New York, NY |
| Deb Purvin | Business Owner’s MBA | Dallas, TX |
| Deka Dike | Omatochi | Dublin, CA |
| Diana Lee | Constellation | New York, NY |
| Dr. Linda Fombo | Legacy Star | Dallas, TX |
| Edna Cummings | — | Washington, DC |
| Emerald-Jane Hunter | myWHY Agency Inc. | Chicago, IL |
| Erin Straughan | Tidewater Pharmacy | Charleston, SC |
| Fonda Royster | Open Arms Transformation Living & RESA Solutions LLC | Toledo, OH |
| Gigi Gianni | Gigi’s Playhouse | Chicago, IL |
| Gina Torres | Feeling Called | Tampa, FL |
| Hitha Palepu | Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals | New York, NY |
| Holly Ash | F.A.M.E. Health Labs LLC | Cedartown, GA |
| Jaclyn Leibl Cote | Collette | Providence, RI |
| Jane Veron | The Acceleration Project | New York, NY |
| Janelle Lucero | Pip Pop | Seattle, WA |
| Jenn Barry | Aaron Wealth Advisors | Chicago, IL |
| Jenny Glasgow | Healthy Dog Nation | Charleston, SC |
| Jill Frey Cummins | Facility Services | Marion, OH |
| Jill Katz | Assemble HR | New York, NY |
| Jodi Cullity | ElevenO | Boston, MA |
| Johanna Faigelman | HumanBranding | Toronto, Canada |
| Joley Michaelson | The Sun Company | Tucson, AZ |
| Katie McCleary | LQ Listening Intelligence | Rancho Cordova, CA |
| Kimberly Bunton | Fly Hip Ageless Media | Louisville, KY |
| Komel Caruso | HerMD | West Orange, NJ |
| La’Kerri Jackson | UPS | Atlanta, GA |
| Lael Ann-Marie | Ecolux Goods | San Diego, CA |
| Lara Hammoud | Perception Foundation | Franklin, MI |
| Laura Gross | Family Meal LLC | Weston, CT |
| Lauren Wittenberg Weiner | Lone Pine Advisors | Redington Shores, FL |
| Lauri Pastrone | Peace by Piece International | Los Gatos, CA |
| Liza Streiff | Knopman Marks Financial Training | New York, NY |
| London Lewis | Tiny Hawk Media | Los Angeles, CA |
| Major Jaspen Boothe | Final Salute Inc | Winchester, VA |
| Malika Begin | Begin Development | Malibu, CA |
| Maribel Lara | Beget Love Consulting | Stony Brook, NY |
| Marina Ivanov | Apex Transit LLC | Charlotte, NC |
| Marla Sofer | Knomee | Foster City, CA |
| Dr. Mary Beth Janke | — | Denver, CO |
| Meenakshi Lala | Urban Stems | New York, NY |
| Meymuna Cattan | Tiyya Foundation & Flavors from Afar | Los Angeles, CA |
| Mickey Coffino | Queen City Metal Recycling | Charlotte, NC |
| Molly Zraik | The BAZ Group | Toledo, OH |
| Myla Ramos | SearchPros Solutions | Sacramento, CA |
| Nancy Gianni | Gigi’s Playhouse | Chicago, IL |
| Natalie Silverstein | Simple Acts Guide | New York, NY |
| Natalie A. Solomon | Meraki Life & Style LLC | Bowie, MD |
| Neema Moore | Wellness Within LLC | Gainesville, VA |
| Nyimah Boles-Robinson | Revision Wealth Management | Gainesville, FL |
| Olivia Steele | JADEVA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Pascha Apter | Marvel Strategy / SolPacific | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Paula Madrid | Paula Madrid & Associates | New York, NY |
| Ray Epstein | — | Philadelphia, PA |
| Renee Patrone Rhinehart | Party Host Helpers | Philadelphia, PA |
| Selena Worrell | Worrell Contracting Co Inc | Goldsboro, NC |
| Shahira Marei | Dirty Cookie | Foothill Ranch, CA |
| Shanetta McDonald | The Giselle Agency | Los Angeles, CA |
| Shavonne Johnson | Truly Valued Inc | Sarasota, FL |
| Shellee Howard | College Ready | San Juan Capistrano, CA |
| Sherry Holley | Gratz Park Private Wealth Asheville | Asheville, NC |
| Sina Holloman | HomeCare Hands 24/7 | Springfield, MA |
| Stacie Henderson | Beauty 4U | New York, NY |
| Steph Wagner | — | Austin, TX |
| Susannah Dellinger | Bright Beauty Connect | Charleston, SC |
| Tali Kogan | Tali Kogan Styling and Photoshoots | Chicago, IL |
| Tara Hamberger | RootedCare+ | Atlanta, GA |
| Tia Buckham-White | Notre Internationale | Atlanta, GA |
| Tiffani Martin | VisioTech | Dallas, TX |
| Tina Macon | AllMac & Associates LLC | Cincinnati, OH |
| Tracy Balazs | Compass Government Solutions | Washington, DC |
| Vanessa Best | Precision HealthCare Consultants | Baldwin, NY |
| Victoria Thomas | Kellymoss Racing | Madison, WI |
| Virginia Rivera | SOLApreneurs LLC | San Juan, PR |
| Zibby Owens | Zibby Media LLC | New York, NY |
Honorable Mentions 2026:
| Name | Company/Organization | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sandra Murphy | Scarlett Chase Inc. | Boston, MA |
| Kristin Morris | Genesis Consulting Services LLC | St. Paul, MN |
| Erika Rosenthal | Veritas Group | Raleigh, NC |
| Khaliah Moody | Stride Right Behavioral Health | Philadelphia, PA |
| Dr. Marcea Whitaker | In Full Bloom Health & Life Coaching | Baltimore, MD |
| Melissa Drew | InSite Build | Salisbury, NC |
| Tiffany Stewart | BirthWrite Consulting | New Haven, CT |
What ties them together is not their industry. It’s the fact that each of them went through KNOW Women’s nomination and interview process and was selected by a panel whose entire job is spotting the real deal. You can view the full official announcement here and learn more about the award at theknowwomen.com.
KNOW Women 100 Honorees Today: Why the Timing Is Everything
Recognizing the KNOW Women 100 honorees today is not a feel-good exercise. It’s an urgent economic act. The data on women in business is both inspiring and sobering.
According to the Arise Ventures Diversity Report 2026, women-led startups receive less than 2% of global venture capital funding — despite delivering strong returns. In the US specifically, women-only founding teams attract around just 1% of venture funding, compared to nearly 25% for mixed-gender teams. Meanwhile, PitchBook data shows that companies founded solely by women garnered just 1% of total capital invested in US venture-backed startups in 2024, down from 2% in 2023.
The economic stakes are massive. Research from Founders Forum Group puts the global missed economic opportunity of underfunding women-led businesses at over $5 trillion. The OECD’s November 2025 report on bridging the finance gap for women entrepreneurs confirms that “lower rates of women’s entrepreneurship are a missed opportunity for economic growth.” Meanwhile, Harvard Kennedy School research finds that all-female founding teams receive just 2.3% of VC funding, while women represent only 16% of first-time VC-backed entrepreneurs.
When the KNOW Women 100 honorees today are put in that spotlight, something shifts. Visibility is not a soft benefit — it is a hard business asset.
Top Female Leaders America 2026: The Role of Recognition in Closing the Gap
Recognition has always been one of the most underrated tools in business development. Being named among the top female leaders America 2026 via the KNOW Women award is not just a plaque on the wall. It’s a credential that opens doors — with investors, with media, with potential partners, and with the next generation of women who need to see what’s possible.
Research consistently shows that women-led startups outperform male-led counterparts by over 60%, yet this superior performance has not translated into proportionally increased investment. One of the persistent barriers identified in the literature is the lack of visible role models and established networks. Being listed among the top female leaders America 2026 addresses exactly that — it creates visibility and credibility where the system was designed not to provide it.
The KNOW Women model does something smart: it pairs the award itself with a media platform and a community. Honorees aren’t celebrated once and forgotten. They’re featured, profiled, and connected to a network of 18,000 fellow leaders who actively support each other’s growth. The KNOW Women 100 winners 2026 don’t just receive recognition; they gain a community infrastructure built for ambitious, high-achieving women.
KNOW Women Summit 2026 Phoenix: What Attendees Can Expect
If you’re considering attending the KNOW Women Summit 2026 Phoenix, here’s what you’re actually buying when you register:
- Three days of structured programming including keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and breakout sessions covering leadership, business strategy, branding, funding, and more
- Networking sessions in the lounge designed to facilitate real conversations rather than awkward card exchanges
- Theme parties and wellness integrations that make the experience genuinely enjoyable, not just professionally productive
- Access to an awards gala where the KNOW Women 100 honorees today are celebrated on a stage in front of their peers
- The Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix as your base — recently renovated, centrally located in downtown Phoenix’s CityScape district, with rooftop pool and panoramic city views
The KNOW Women Summit 2026 Phoenix is where relationships get started that eventually show up in press releases and partnership announcements.
The Legacy of KNOW Women: Eight Years and Growing
Eight years is a long time to sustain momentum in the recognition and media space. KNOW Women has done it by staying genuinely useful to its members, not just ceremonially celebratory. Since its founding in 2018, the company has hosted more than 500 events, published profiles of over 6,000 women, and grown a community that now spans multiple cities across North America.
The 100 Women to KNOW in America 2026 list is part of a publishing and media ecosystem that includes KNOW Magazine, KNOW Books, KNOW Cares (the 501C3 non-profit), and a suite of live events. This is not a single annual award. It’s a year-round operation built on the belief that women who are seen, heard, and celebrated for their accomplishments inspire others and elevate the next generation.
Why This Moment Matters for Women in Business
The KNOW Women 100 winners 2026 arrive at a pivotal inflection point. Corporate DEI commitments are being tested, funding gaps remain stubbornly persistent, and the economic contributions of women-led businesses continue to be undervalued in mainstream capital markets. Against that backdrop, a genuinely rigorous, independently curated list of 100 exceptional female leaders carries real cultural weight.
These are not women who were nominated by their PR teams for brand awareness. They are entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, and philanthropists who passed through a nomination and interview process, were reviewed by a panel with accountability to the broader KNOW Women community, and were selected because their achievements speak for themselves.
If you’re a business leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone who invests in people — you should know who these women are. The KNOW Women 100 winners 2026 are shaping what leadership looks like in 2026 and beyond.
