When Women Rise Together, Change Becomes Possible

Shari Jafari is a transformational leader and visionary in the global beauty and wellness industry — a woman whose career has been...

Shari Jafari is a transformational leader and visionary in the global beauty and wellness industry — a woman whose career has been defined by innovation, empowerment, and purpose. Born in Iran, raised in Canada, and having lived across three continents Shari brings a truly global perspective to everything she builds. With nearly two decades of experience shaping the future of some of the world’s most renowned brands, she has built a reputation for driving meaningful change where business growth and social impact intersect. Throughout her career, Shari has led groundbreaking work at the convergence of skincare, technology, and personalisation, developing and launching brands that champion personalization, performance, and inclusivity. As Co-Founder of Simon Ourian M.D., she was instrumental in introducing AI-driven personalization into skincare, redefining how technology and science can elevate human confidence. Her leadership has consistently centered around empowering women — creating platforms, products, and communities that inspire self-belief and transformation. Before that, Shari spent 17 years in senior leadership at The Estée Lauder Companies, where she spearheaded brand development, market expansion, and growth across Europe and the Middle East. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in spearheading the feminization movement in Saudi Arabia’s beauty sector in the mid-2000s, a groundbreaking shift that opened doors for thousands of women to enter the workforce and take their place as leaders in a rapidly changing society. Today, as Chairwoman of the Beyond Foundation, Shari continues her lifelong mission to champion female empowerment on a global scale. Through the Foundation’s work, she advocates for opportunity and equality, creating bridges between innovation, purpose, and community. Her vision is clear and bold: to redefine what’s possible for women everywhere, and to build a future where confidence, capability, and compassion drive lasting change.

Kate Holzmann is a mother of four, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropist whose life's work has evolved into a deep dedication to helping...

Kate Holzmann is a mother of four, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropist whose life's work has evolved into a deep dedication to helping children through her non-profit, Merkaba. She founded the organization back in 2020 with the help of her Co-Founder. Merkaba is growing into a transformative global initiative, a sanctuary and refuge for children who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, offering them safety, healing, and hope for a brighter future. Kate Holzmann specializes in holistic child development and trauma-informed care, drawing from her extensive experience in wellness entrepreneurship, creative leadership, and humanitarian outreach. Beyond her business ventures, Holzmann's journey has been shaped by the positive experiences she's gained through her exposure to media and the arts. As a former model, young mother, traveler, and actress, she has developed a profound appreciation for human connection, cultural diversity, and storytelling as tools for empowerment and healing. Her creative background continues to inspire her philanthropic work, infusing it with compassion, authenticity, and vision.

Sharon Ourian is an entrepreneur and investor whose ventures span technology and real estate. She founded the first company to bring...

Sharon Ourian is an entrepreneur and investor whose ventures span technology and real estate. She founded the first company to bring traffic school and driver education online, a pioneering platform that now delivers licensing and professional training courses across various sectors such as real estate, mortgage, notary and OSHA nationwide. As the principal of Ourian Investments, Sharon also oversees a diverse real estate portfolio of multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use properties across the United States. Beyond her businesses, Sharon serves on the Leadership Circle of Visionary Women, an organization devoted to empowering girls and women through education and opportunity, and she is an active supporter of UCLA Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and Ovarian Cancer Research. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to innovation, leadership, and giving back—building enterprises that create impact while inspiring others to do the same.