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By Digiday Awards • May 27, 2025 •
The Future Leader Awards, presented by Digiday, Glossy, Modern Retail and WorkLife, recognize the next generation of leaders making a big impact in their industry, with 10 years of experience or less.
This year’s finalists stand out for their bold innovation, measurable impact and deep connection to the audiences they serve. Each has harnessed data to shape strategy, delivered campaigns that drive real results or pushed creative boundaries within their roles. From cultural relevance to community engagement, these leaders are not just keeping pace with the industry — they’re setting it.
Alice Severs, for example, associate strategy director at T Brand Studio of New York Times Advertising, is nominated as a Digiday Future Leader in the publisher category for her standout work shaping how financial brands communicate with audiences.
Known for turning complex topics like retirement and financial literacy into compelling, human-centered content, she has led podcast, print and digital campaigns that are as culturally relevant as they are strategic. From a chart-topping business podcast with American Express to a zine series celebrating the Harlem Renaissance with U.S. Bank, Severs blends editorial sensibility with creative ambition, making her a driving force behind some of the studio’s most resonant and effective branded work.
In the HR category on the WorkLife Future Leader shortlist, Vanessa Bohorquez, senior director of people at Dagne Dover, is among the nominees. Bohorquez has made a transformative impact as the company’s first HR hire. Joining in 2023, she quickly established herself as a trusted leader, building rapport across all levels and guiding a growing team through major organizational changes. Bohorquez redefined HR’s role at the company, streamlining recruitment, compensation and performance processes while preserving a tight-knit culture. Her people-first approach, strategic mindset and deep commitment to inclusion have led to 90% retention and faster, more thoughtful decision-making, marking her as a standout leader in a rapidly evolving workplace.
ShopMy’s co-founder and CEO, Harry Rein, earned a nomination for Digiday Future Leader in the technology provider category. Rein is a finalist for his role in reshaping creator marketing through technology and data. With a background in AI and human-computer interaction from MIT, Rein has led ShopMy from startup to industry disruptor, growing revenue more than sixfold in a year and connecting over 105,000 creators with 550 brands. His bold, iterative approach to innovation helped secure a $77.5 million Series B round and drive $400 million in brand sales. Rein’s vision continues to redefine how brands and creators collaborate in a space where performance, transparency and creativity converge.
This year’s Future Leader finalists are redefining their industries through innovation, data-driven strategy and cultural impact. From reshaping financial storytelling and HR leadership to transforming creator marketing with tech, these rising talents are setting new standards for what leadership looks like today.
See the complete list of finalists below.
Digiday Future Leader – Agency
Brandon Wagoner – Fohr
Hannah Pether – The Goat Agency
Justin Kenna – CEO, GameSquare
Kaitlyn Barclay – Co-Founder & CEO, Scout Lab
Olivia Clarke – Nebo Agency
William Lapointe – CEO of Pathlabs (An MiQ Company)
Digiday Future Leader – Brand
Anatolii Kasianov – HOLYWATER
Gregory Constantine – AIRCO
Makoto Rheault-Kihara – Hopper
Matt Edelman – Upwork
Marina Middleton – CEO of Create & Cultivate
Mia Funt – Co-Founder and President of ByHeart
Digiday Future Leader – Publisher
Alice Severs – T Brand Studio of New York Times Advertising
Victoria Dailey – Front Office Sports
Digiday Future Leader – Technology Provider
Adrian Gilliam – Senior Engineering Manager, GlossGenius
Amy Arnell – The Brandtech Group’s Gen AI Rising Star
Anastasia Georgievskaya – Co-Founder and CEO of Haut.AI
Caroline Baker – Verve
Harry Rein – ShopMy
Peyton King – Director Of Marketing – Sports Innovation Lab
Rohit Singh Raja – Associate Director of Quality at THREAD
Glossy Future Leader – Beauty
Alessandra Piana – Maesa
Echo Sandburg – CP Skin Health Group
Laney Crowell – Saie
Marguerite Rivara – Maesa
Michelle Miler – Vegamour
Minou Clark – RealSelf
Samantha Brett – Naked Sundays
Riley Jenson – Sol de Janeiro
Glossy Future Leader – Fashion
Lee Evans Lee – Founder & CEO, Mrs Momma Bear
Tiffany Lopinsky – ShopMy
Glossy Future Leader – Wellness
Dr. Liz Lehman – Founder/CEO, Aluminate Life
N.B. Patil – Ozlo Sleep
Modern Retail Future Leader – Established Retailer
Reba Hatcher – ButcherBox
Modern Retail Future Leader – Legacy Brand
Mina Haque – Tony Roma’s CEO
Omnichannel Strategy Leader
Makoto Rheault-Kihara – Hopper
WorkLife Future Leader- DE&I
Darlene Fernandes – DEI, Macmillan Publishers
WorkLife Future Leader- HR
Katie Gore – Macmillan Publishers
Vanessa Bohorquez – Dagne Dover
Interested in entering the Future Leader Awards? Sign up to receive deadline reminders, entry tips, category recommendations and more.
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