10 Elite Women in Business, 2025
ON THE COVER
The Life of Riley NYC
Stacey Smoker is an award-winning hairstylist, educator, and entrepreneur. She is also the founder of The Life of Riley NYC, a unique beauty and lifestyle space built on creativity, collaboration, and community. Her journey in the industry has been a blend of artistry, education, and business, but at its heart, it has always been about empowerment. Whether through transformational hairstyling, mentoring the next generation of professionals, or establishing a space where beauty and beyond beauty professionals can thrive, her work reflects a deep commitment to making a difference.
NuJourney Foundation
Caroline Dennis is a dedicated leader, entrepreneur, and financial educator with a passion for empowering communities. Originally from Florida, she began her collegiate journey at Howard University and later earned her Master’s in Project Management from Walden University. Over the years, she has built a remarkable career in finance, business, and nonprofit leadership, shaping the financial landscape for individuals and communities alike.
Charis Michelsen
Charis Michelsen’s journey to success is one marked by determination, creativity, and an unwavering desire to uplift others. A small-town girl from Oregon, Charis moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design/The New School, dreaming of becoming a fashion designer. Little did she know that her life would take a thrilling turn when she was discovered by a photographer for Harper’s BAZAAR magazine.
Destiny Monique Arredondo was born and raised in Houston, Texas, but she now resides in Los Angeles, California. She has built a thriving career in social media, running a lifestyle channel on YouTube and maintaining a strong presence on Instagram. In addition to her social media ventures, she is also an investor in real estate. Her interest in real estate comes naturally, as her father was in the business before retiring, and her stepfather and mother are also actively involved in the industry.
SMEC
Fatema Moriam Nisha is a strategic HR leader with 14 years of progressive experience in driving transformative initiatives across organizational development, performance management, and employee engagement. She has played a crucial role in global leadership development, cultural transformation, sustainability, and advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB).
Dr. Ghenwa Habbal
Dr. Ghenwa Habbal is a business and organizational psychologist, leadership futurist, and transformative strategist dedicated to redefining leadership in an unpredictable world. She has made significant contributions to the field by developing the F.A.S.T. Model, a pioneering leadership framework that helps individuals and organizations navigate volatility, embrace adaptability, and achieve sustainable success.
Sparkle Palace Construction & Project Management
Ishalena Moore
Ishalena Moore is a visionary entrepreneur, builder, and leader dedicated to turning challenges into opportunities. As the Founder and CEO of Sparkle Palace Construction & Project Management, she has established a full-service construction firm specializing in residential and commercial remodeling and rehabilitation. For her, construction is not just about physical structures—it is about creating access, opportunity, and representation in an industry where women and minorities are still underrepresented.
AUGE International Consulting
Monica Perna is the founder of AUGE International Consulting, an enterprise dedicated to bridging linguistic and cultural divides in the business world. Originally from Italy, she now resides in Dubai, UAE, where she continues to innovate in the field of language and business coaching. Her work is centered around the AUGE® Method, a pioneering approach she developed to integrate language learning with professional and personal growth.
MARLEQ
Sana Hammad is a business consultant, executive coach, and HR strategist with a strong passion for human capital development and business transformation. Born and raised in Jordan, she has built a successful career while balancing her roles as a wife and mother of three. With over 15 years of experience across multiple industries, her journey has been anything but conventional.
e-Beach Wagon
Tara Mogan is an award-winning entrepreneur and marketing strategist with a passion for building brands and driving business growth. With over two decades of experience, she has established herself as a direct-to-consumer marketing expert since 2002. Over the past 15 years, she has led high-impact initiatives in the home services sector, helping companies of all sizes scale through innovative strategies.
– A r t i c l e s –
