Promena has officially unveiled its 2026 class of the Top 25 Leaders of Impact, celebrating elite senior executives who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to inclusive leadership, organizational excellence, and community advancement across diverse industries.
Honoring Tenured Leaders Whose Impact Has Stood the Test of Time
Sustained Excellence in Leadership and Inclusion
CHICAGO, IL — Promena is proud to announce its 2026 class of Top 25 Leaders of Impact, recognizing senior leaders whose careers reflect sustained excellence, measurable contribution, and a deep commitment to advancing leadership and inclusion in the workplace and community.
Now in its fifth year, the Top 25 Leaders of Impact Award honors senior leaders who demonstrate:
- Self-awareness and humility
- Collaboration and courage
- Visionary thinking
- A steadfast commitment to inclusion
These leaders are mentors, sponsors, business contributors, community builders, and advocates who help others reach their next level while continuing to deliver meaningful organizational results.
The 2026 honorees are accomplished professionals who have built their impact over time, reflecting a broad range of disciplines, industries, and leadership paths. They have led through complexity, managed change with discipline and humanity, developed people, strengthened organizations, and contributed meaningfully beyond the walls of their companies. Their recognition is not based on a single moment, title, or achievement, but on a consistent record of leadership that has influenced people, business outcomes, and communities.
📢 Community Impact Spotlight: Shape the Future of Chicago Resources
Are you tired of business programs and neighborhood initiatives that don’t quite fit your day-to-day realities? For over 40 years, the Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA) has been a cornerstone for Chicago-area families and entrepreneurs, serving over 1.3 million people across Uptown, West Ridge, and Elgin. Now, heading into the second half of 2026, CMAA is launching a brief community assessment to find out exactly what kind of financial assistance, workforce training, and local grants your neighborhood needs most right now.
Don’t leave community resources on the table. By taking just five minutes to complete this survey, your feedback will directly guide future funding and ensure local support goes precisely where it will help your bottom line. Secure your community’s future and make your voice count today at surveymonkey.com/r/CMAA.
At a time when organizations are navigating economic pressure, political division, shifting workforce expectations, and growing demands for accountability, Promena believes it is essential to recognize leaders who have remained steady, principled, and effective. Exceptional is exceptional—and the 2026 Top 25 Leaders of Impact demonstrate that true leadership is measured not only by what leaders accomplish, but by how they lead, who they develop, and what they leave stronger than they found it.
“These honorees represent the kind of leadership that is earned over time,” said Pam McElvane, CEO of Promena. “They have demonstrated courage, judgment, integrity, and the ability to bring people forward. Their careers show us that impact is not declared—it is proven through consistent action, trusted relationships, and the success of others.”
Selection Methodology
The 2026 Top 25 Leaders of Impact honorees were selected through a structured review process supported by an internal selection committee representing multiple business functions. Candidates were evaluated using a weighted methodology that considered:
- Career tenure and discipline experience
- Level of leadership responsibility and executive/officer-level scope
- Multi-functional management experience
- Education and continuous learning
- Board and community service
- Measurable workplace and/or community impact
- Nomination or recommendation letters
Each candidate completed an application and submitted impact statements demonstrating leadership excellence, commitment to inclusion, development of others, and sustained contribution to business and community outcomes.
Promena congratulates the 2026 Top 25 Leaders of Impact honorees for setting a standard of leadership grounded in trust, courage, accountability, inclusion, and excellence.
Meet the 2026 Top 25 Leaders of Impact Honorees
| Honoree | Title | Company / Organization |
| Adriana Waterston | Executive Vice President, Insights Strategy | MARC Research |
| Alba Baylin | VP of Stakeholder Engagement | The Coca-Cola Company |
| Alfonso Gomez | Senior Director, Business Solutions | Integrated Commercialization Solutions (Cencora) |
| Audra Jenkins | Chief Equity Officer | RANDSTAD |
| Brian J. O’Dea | CEO | Nephrology Associates of Northern Illinois |
| David Morgan | Founder & President | BIPOCMedia Group, LLC |
| Donna Dorsey | Chief Human Resources Officer | Alight Solutions |
| Fellicia Foster | Global Chief Human Resource Officer | BMO Harris |
| Gerard Camacho | Chief Inclusion & Culture Officer | Novant Health |
| Heather Falen Ashby | Vice President, Government Affairs | Zimmer Biomet |
| Jazzmin McKay | Chief Communications Officer | Arthritis Foundation |
| Karen Wright Gordon | CEO | Simpli5 |
| Kevin Vuong | SVP Global Store & Workplace Experience | Capri Holdings Limited |
| Keyra Lynn Johnson | Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion and Social Impact Officer | Delta Airlines |
| Linda Chow | Co-Founder / CEO | CaringDr Corporation |
| Marc Brooks | CEO | Hyde Park Hospitality (HPH) |
| Margot Goodson | Head of Diversity & Inclusion | SAP |
| Mariko Carpenter | Vice President, Community Engagement and Inclusive Insights | Nielsen |
| Dr. Mary Donahue | CEO & Founder | Digital Wellness Center |
| Monica Khant | CEO | Asian American Institute on [Missing text from source] |
| Robert Rodriguez, PhD | Founder & President | DRR Advisory Services LLC |
| Susan Jin Davis | Senior Advisor | Sustainability|ESG|Nonprofit Board Governance |
| Tania Galarza | Sr. Director, Enterprise Strategic Planning | Marriott International |
| Vanessa Marrou | Vice President & Sr. Director | Liberty Mutual Insurance |
About Promena
Promena is a leadership development, recognition, and publishing platform committed to helping leaders and organizations set the standard for inclusive, measurable, and sustainable leadership. Through learning, events, publications, research, and recognition programs, Promena elevates leaders who strengthen workplaces, communities, and the people they serve.
Media Contact: Sasha Parrish (sasha@promenasetthestandard.com)
Website: www.promenasetthestandard.com
Location: Chicago, IL
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