L’Oréal Paris USA has announced the ten honorees for its 2026 Women of Worth program. This initiative recognizes and supports female nonprofit leaders who are driving community transformation through their work.
The Women of Worth program, now in its third decade, provides grants, mentorship, and national visibility to ten women annually. The program has supported 210 women to date, with causes ranging from mental health and education to environmental justice and disability inclusion. Laura Branik, President of L’Oréal Paris USA, stated that the program is “the beating heart of our brand” and an expression of the company’s belief that women can achieve significant change when they recognize their own worth.
L’Oréal Paris USA Women of Worth 2026 Honorees
Actress Kirstin Bell, a recently appointed Global Brand Ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, expressed her honor in participating in the celebration. Bell highlighted L’Oréal Paris’s commitment to providing tangible tools for women to prove their worth. She noted that the honorees exemplify how a passion can evolve into a powerful force that extends beyond the individual.
In partnership with Points of Light, the program’s official nonprofit partner, L’Oréal Paris USA has selected the following ten leaders for the 2026 cohort:
- Amanda Rice, founder and CEO of The Chick Mission in Austin, Texas. Her organization works to remove financial barriers to fertility preservation for young women diagnosed with cancer.
- Arielle Galinsky, CEO and co-founder of The Legacy Project, Inc. in Canton, Massachusetts. The organization fosters multigenerational friendships and storytelling.
- Chanel Power, founder and CEO of Mentor Me Collective in New York, New York. Her work creates career pathways in tech for first-generation technologists.
- Christie Brungardt, founder and Board Member for Jana’s Campaign in Hays, Kansas. The campaign focuses on education-based prevention programs for gender and relationship violence.
- Christy Vogel, founder and Executive Director for Sounding Joy in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her nonprofit provides hearing aids and access to sound for children in need.
- Emily Cho, founder and Executive Director of Juvie for STEM in Bergen County, New Jersey. The organization expands access to STEM education for justice-involved youth.
- Jordan Pine, founder and CEO of Greenlight Operation in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Her work combats human trafficking and supports survivors.
- Marisa Hamamoto, founder and CEO of Infinite Flow Dance in Los Angeles, California. This disability-led nonprofit and dance company reimagines possibilities.
- Maya Bird-Murphy, founder and Executive Director of Mobile Makers Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Her initiative expands design education and architectural equity for underserved youth.
- Vy Le, founder and CEO of WhereWear in Olympia, Washington. The organization transforms clothing donations into targeted support for women’s shelters and unhoused individuals.
The Women of Worth initiative underscores a broader commitment to supporting women’s advancement. Initiatives like the New KADEM Center aim to advance women in tech business, while other programs focus on providing essential resources and funding. For example, Canada has opened a funding call for women’s business support projects. Similarly, organizations like The Woven Impact Network highlight the need for skills beyond grants for women entrepreneurs. There is also a recognition that women in tech have less say in company strategy, indicating a need for continued empowerment. Efforts are also being made to support founders in specific regions, such as the Her Startup Cohort 2.0 for African women founders.
The Women of Worth program continues to empower women who are making a significant difference, providing them with the resources to amplify their impact and inspire others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the L’Oréal Paris USA Women of Worth program?
The Women of Worth program is a philanthropic initiative by L’Oréal Paris USA that recognizes and supports female nonprofit leaders who are transforming communities nationwide through their courage and vision. It provides grants, mentorship, and national visibility to ten women each year.
How long has the Women of Worth program been running?
The Women of Worth program has been in existence for three decades. It has invested in 210 women leaders to date.
What types of causes are supported by the Women of Worth honorees?
The causes supported by the Women of Worth honorees span a wide range, including mental health, education, environmental justice, and disability inclusion.
Who are some of the 2026 Women of Worth honorees?
The 2026 honorees include Amanda Rice of The Chick Mission, Arielle Galinsky of The Legacy Project, Inc., and Chanel Power of Mentor Me Collective, among others.
What does L’Oréal Paris USA hope to achieve with the Women of Worth program?
L’Oréal Paris USA aims to empower women by providing them with the platform and resources to scale their vision and deepen their impact, reflecting the belief that when a woman knows she is worth it, she can change everything.
