An alumna makes Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business list
Mary Beth Laughton (CHI 99-05) is among 72 professionals dubbed the business world’s most creative by Fast Company.
Mary Beth, who joined retail brand Athleta as President and CEO in 2019, made the list by challenging the status quo within the activewear industry. The brand seeks to be inclusive on multiple dimensions, celebrating the athletes they sponsor as whole people—something that U.S. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and sprinting champion Allyson Felix felt was missing in previous brand partnerships—and expanding their clothing size range from XXS-3XL and displaying size-inclusive mannequins.
Check out the alumni on Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list
Three alumni made it onto this year’s Fortune 40 Under 40 list, which selected “the rising entrepreneurs, influencers, creators, and executives that have shaped the global pandemic experience—and are paving the way for what comes next.” The former Firm members on the list represent innovations in finance and electric cars, health care, and the social sector.
Zach Kirkhorn (NYO 07-10), Tesla’s CFO and “Master of Coin,” landed on the list for his swift and successful improvement of the company’s once-dire finances. Since Zach took on the role in 2019, Tesla’s stock prices have shot up more than 1,000 percent, and its earnings continue to increase under his leadership.
Amit Paley (NYO 11-17) is the CEO and Executive Director of LGBTQ-focused nonprofit The Trevor Project. The organization works to prevent suicides among LGBTQ youth, who are four times more likely to consider suicide than their straight peers. After Amit joined The Trevor Project in 2017, he oversaw a steep increase in the number of young people the organization serves. That number has nearly doubled since the onset of COVID-19, all while the nonprofit transitioned to ongoing remote work.
Bryony Winn (LON, CHI 09-18) joined health insurance federation Anthem as its Senior VP and Chief Strategy Officer in June 2020. Over a little more than a year, she has committed to making the company more agile, innovative, and equitable. With advances in telehealth and vaccine development, she’s optimistic about what’s to come for her industry.