2026 New Board Institute Class

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shawn Taylor Kaminski, skaminski@directwomen.org, 708-244-9006; or Sheri Singer, sheri@singercomm.com, 703-346-7111

DirectWomen Announces NEW Board Institute Class as Female Director Appointments Slow

Program Advances Board-Ready Women Lawyers for Corporate Directorships

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NEW YORK (February 24, 2026) — Last year, the share of female director appointments to corporate boards of directors decreased, continuing a declining trend from a peak in 2020.* In response, DirectWomen today announced its 2026 Board Institute Class, comprised of 17 board-ready women directors.

DirectWomen’s annual Board Institute program is designed to position board-ready women lawyers to serve on corporate boards of directors. Identified through a rigorous selection process, these women hail from preeminent public and private companies.

“At a time when boards face heightened scrutiny around risk oversight, cybersecurity, and regulatory complexity, women lawyers serving as directors bring deep legal and governance expertise,” said Shawn Taylor Kaminski, Executive Director of DirectWomen. “Since our founding in 2007, nearly 40 percent of our alumnae have gone on to serve on corporate boards, collectively holding more than 220 board seats.”

Women lawyers bring critical strengths to boards, including deep expertise in corporate governance, strategic oversight, and enterprise risk management.

“This class of highly qualified, board-ready women lawyers are business executives and strategic thought leaders,” said Lily Yan Hughes, Chair, DirectWomen Board of Directors. “They represent a wide range of industries and experiences and will make excellent corporate directors.”

Currently, DirectWomen’s Board Institute is chaired by Professor Hillary A. Sale, Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Leadership and Corporate Governance and Professor of Management, Georgetown University; Director, Cboe U.S. Securities Exchanges, Cboe Futures Exchange, and Legg Mason and Putnam Closed End Funds; Advisory Board Member, Foundation Press.

The 17 members of the 2026 DirectWomen Board Institute class include:

Maryam Abdul Kareem
Chief Legal Officer, Arcellx, Inc.
Redwood City, CA

Iké Adeyemi
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary, Eastman Chemical Company
Kingsport, TN

Gena L. Ashe
Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Anterix Inc.
McLean, VA

Samantha Sacks Gallagher
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, VICI Properties Inc.
New York, NY

Alice Lin Geene
Former Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, Paycor HCM, Inc.
Chicago, IL

Helene Glotzer
Former Head of Enterprise Risk Management, Director, Partner, and Operating Committee Member, Bridgewater
Associates, LP 
Westport, CT

Isabel Gomes
Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel, and Vice-Secretary, Almirall SA
Barcelona, Spain

Martha Ha
Former Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, U.S. Foods Holdings Corp.
Northbrook, IL

Peggy L. Ho
General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer, Commonwealth Financial Network (subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc.)
Wellesley, MA

Mahrukh Hussain
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, United Natural Foods, Inc.
Providence, RI

Lisa Gonzalez Iglesias
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Unum Group
Chattanooga, TN

Caroline D. Krass
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Hilton Worldwide, Inc.
McLean, VA

LaTanya Langley
Chief People Officer, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary, Edgewell Personal Care
Shelton, CT

Natalie Y. Matsler
Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Lineage, Inc.
Newport Beach, CA

Jessica L. Mayer
Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Cardinal Health
Dublin, OH

Tara A. Plimpton
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary, Regions Financial
Birmingham, AL

Phyllis T. Turner-Brim
Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, HP Inc.
Houston, TX

*Source: 2025 U.S. Spencer Stuart Board Index.

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About DirectWomen

DirectWomen’s mission is to increase the representation of women lawyers on corporate boards. To this end, DirectWomen identifies leading women lawyers who provide the experience, independence and business judgment required for corporate board effectiveness. Through its various programs, DirectWomen develops and positions women attorney leaders for board service. It also serves as a resource for companies seeking qualified board candidates.