In 2025, we are witnessing an exciting and much-needed shift in the business landscape. More women are stepping into positions of power, successfully leading companies, and making their voices heard across various industries. They're using their influence to support other women and foster more inclusive workplaces. This International Women's Day, we recognize notable figures demonstrating that business success and social responsibility can go hand in hand.
As a women-owned business founded by Lauren Patterson, RANDOM recognizes the importance of empathy, inclusion, and driving meaningful change. We take this topic seriously and enthusiastically embrace the celebration of International Women’s Day. In honor of this year’s theme, "Accelerating Action," let’s highlight some incredible women leaders. These female entrepreneurs use their influence to empower others, break barriers, and create lasting positive impacts.
When Selena Gomez launched Rare Beauty, she didn’t just create another beauty brand; she aimed to make a difference. Rare Beauty's mission is centered around self-acceptance, inclusivity, and celebrating diversity. Selena wanted to create a space where “beauty is not about the perfect image; it’s about being unique.”
Rare Beauty goes beyond simply selling makeup; it’s a community where women feel seen and valued for who they are. They're redefining beauty standards, emphasizing mental health, and creating a supportive environment for those who struggle with self-esteem. By doing so, Rare Beauty has quickly established itself as an industry leader.
Rare Beauty's success lies in its community-building approach. By prioritizing mental health and inclusivity, Selena Gomez is fostering an empowered and engaged community that reflects the diversity of the world around us.
At the helm of The Hershey Company is Michele Buck, a powerful advocate for internal change agents. As the first female CEO in the company’s history, she has championed initiatives that empower her team and cultivate a culture of inclusivity in the workplace. Under her leadership, Hershey's approach to women in leadership has evolved, earning recognition as one of America’s most female-friendly corporations. Michele’s influence extends beyond reshaping corporate culture; she has positioned the brand to embrace sustainability, employee welfare, and community outreach more meaningfully.
In an interview with Harvard Business Review, Michele emphasized the importance of empowering employees to act as change agents. She believes fostering a culture of responsibility can drive internal transformation, leading to a more engaged workforce and tremendous success.
Michele Buck has shown how powerful it can be to empower people from within a company. And with her approaching retirement, it’s clear that her efforts will continuously influence Hershey's and modern business changes.
Melanie Perkins, founder of Canva, is another excellent example of female entrepreneurs turning an idea into something truly revolutionary. What began as a small startup has become one of the world's most popular online design platforms. Melanie’s vision was straightforward: to make design accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level. Her strategy has paid off, as Canva is now valued at over $40 billion.
In an interview with Entrepreneur, Melanie shared her journey of turning her idea into reality, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and belief in one’s vision. Canva exemplifies female leadership that empowers users, simplifies complex tasks, and democratizes creativity.
Melanie's inclusive approach and commitment to making a positive impact transformed Canva into one of the most beloved companies worldwide. (Just ask our specialists!) Her story proves that innovation and inclusivity can go hand in hand.
Mary Barra is one of the most prominent female CEOs in the world, having led GM (General Motors) since 2014. Her leadership has been pivotal in advancing GM’s commitment to sustainability, including the company’s goal to transition to an all-electric future. Under her guidance, GM has made strides toward promoting workplace diversity, gender equality, and environmental responsibility.
In an exclusive interview with Forbes, Mary discussed her focus on creating a culture of innovation. She supports empowering employees to make bold decisions and aims to ensure sustainability remains at the core of GM’s mission.
Mary Barra’s leadership at GM demonstrates how female CEOs bring unique perspectives to industries traditionally dominated by men. She drives positive change in the automotive sector by emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.
At RANDOM, we’ve built our business on the values of empathy, curiosity, and inclusion. Our founder, Lauren Patterson, aimed to create something unique in digital marketing. She yearned to create an agency that prioritized genuine connections with clients and stakeholders over mere profit margins. RANDOM was since established as a female-founded leader in digital innovation. We're driven by a commitment to empower clients, support businesses, and make a positive impact in the lives of everyone we work with.
Lauren’s journey from the traditional agency world to founding RANDOM was fueled by her passion for developing authentic, human-centered marketing strategies. As a team, we take great pride in ensuring our clients, partners, and team members experience a brand built on these core values.
Lauren’s leadership exemplifies the profound impact that steadfast personal values and beliefs can have at a company's core. Regardless of the brand's size or the team, a genuine and heartfelt approach can create meaningful change and inspire others to follow suit.
From Fortune 500 companies to startups, female entrepreneurs and CEOs are creating more inclusive, sustainable, and empathetic business cultures. These women are using their positions to empower others, drive action towards gender equality, and make a lasting impact in their respective industries.
As we celebrate the power of women in leadership this International Women's Day (and every day), let’s recognize the value that diversity and inclusive leadership bring to business. Women entrepreneurs are changing the world for the better.
At RANDOM, we are proud to be a women-owned business that strives to lead with vision, passion, and empathy. By embracing these values, we can build meaningful connections with our clients and partners and inspire others to do the same. Let’s continue to empower one another, break down barriers, and build a future where women lead the charge.
