Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence
Overview
Madam C.J. Walker started her hair care business in the early 1900s to address an unmet need among women in her community. As an activist and entrepreneur, she was relentless in her pursuit in making women feel confident and creating economic opportunity for all.
Inspired by Walker’s remarkable legacy of entrepreneurship and her vision of economic opportunity for all, PCPC created the Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence in 2021.
The award recognizes individuals in the beauty and personal care products industry who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to entrepreneurship and inclusivity by advancing positive change, exhibiting strong leadership, and sustained engagement with consumers and communities. Awardees are individuals who lead by example and serve as a catalyst for change within the industry.
Nomination Form
Submissions for the 2026 award nominations are due January 12, 2026.
Recipients of the award will be recognized during a ceremony by Madam Walker’s great-great granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles at PCPC’s 2026 Beauty Collective Summit.
Please direct questions to [email protected].
2026 Nomination Form: Madam C.J. Walker Award
2025 Recipient
Heela Yang | Co-Founder and CEO of Sol de Janeiro
Heela Yang has built more than a beauty brand – she’s created a global movement in body care and fragrance. Before launching Sol de Janeiro, Heela spent over 12 years shaping the beauty industry at Lancôme (L’Oréal) and Clinique (Estée Lauder Companies), honing the expertise that would later fuel the brand’s explosive growth. Heela’s leadership and innovation have redefined the rapidly growing body care industry. She has earned prestigious recognition, including the CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) UK Achiever Award (2024) and a spot on Glossy’s 50 Top Changemakers (2023). Under her leadership, Sol de Janeiro has become an industry standout, receiving top accolades such as WWD Beauty Inc’s Prestige Brand of the Year (2023), TIME100 Most Influential Companies (2024), and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies (2024)—all celebrating the brand’s rapid category innovation and cultural impact.
Past Recipients
2024 Winners:
Monique Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Mielle Organics
Michelle Wang Goodridge, U.S. President of Brand Growth of Kenvue
2022 Winner:
Esi Eggleston Bracey, President of Unilever U.S. & CEO of Unilever Personal Care North America
2021 Winner:
Latriece Watkins, EVP, Walmart
