Forbes Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Forbes has 9 executives leading key functions including business strategy, operational oversight, financial management, marketing, and human resources.

Committed to delivering authoritative journalism, Forbes maintains a legacy of excellence by providing critical insights into global business, finance, and technology for a diverse audience.

Leadership Roles at Forbes

  • Chief Executive Officer - Donnell Mckenzie
  • Chief Executive Officer & Owner - Aaron Harper
  • Chief Executive Officer (Oil & Gas) - Ricken Smith
  • Vice Chief Executive Officer - Maxim Polevoy
  • Chief Financial Officer - Stephanie Lewis
  • Chief Operating Officer - Aiden Shaffer
  • President - Jenna Charles
  • Chief Marketing Officer, Forbes Network Contributor - Lola Bakare
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Ali Intres
  • Donnell Mckenzie - Chief Executive Officer

    Donnell Mckenzie, the Chief Executive Officer at Forbes, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. This leadership role involves managing the transition of traditional print media into a robust digital-first publishing ecosystem. By overseeing the editorial direction and business development, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the brand remains a primary source for American business news. Mckenzie drives the expansion of digital platforms to reach a global audience, focusing on high-impact journalism that covers science, politics, and law. Through constant innovation in content delivery, the Chief Executive Officer maintains the competitive edge of the publication. Donnell Mckenzie aligns the editorial mission with modern advertising models to secure long-term revenue growth. This executive leadership ensures that the publication adapts to shifting market demands while upholding the rigorous standards established in 1917.

    Aaron Harper - Chief Executive Officer & Owner

    Aaron Harper, the Chief Executive Officer & Owner at Forbes, manages the long-term capital allocation and ownership interests of the media enterprise. This role focuses on the structural integrity of the business, ensuring that the organization remains a premier publisher of American business magazines. By overseeing the strategic investment in new media technologies, the Chief Executive Officer & Owner secures the future of the brand. Harper directs the alignment of corporate assets with the evolving needs of the global business community. This leadership position involves evaluating market opportunities that enhance the reach of the publication across diverse sectors like politics and celebrity culture. Aaron Harper maintains the stability of the organization through disciplined financial oversight and strategic planning. The Chief Executive Officer & Owner drives the growth of the brand by fostering a culture of excellence and journalistic integrity.

    Ricken Smith - Chief Executive Officer (Oil & Gas)

    Ricken Smith, the Chief Executive Officer (Oil & Gas) at Forbes, leads the specialized coverage and industry analysis regarding energy markets. This role involves directing the editorial focus on the intersection of global energy policy, commodity pricing, and corporate sustainability. By overseeing the development of deep-dive reports on the oil and gas sector, the Chief Executive Officer (Oil & Gas) provides essential intelligence to investors and industry leaders. Smith manages the integration of technical data into accessible business narratives, ensuring that the publication remains the authority on energy-related economic trends. Ricken Smith drives the expansion of the energy vertical, connecting complex market shifts to broader political and economic outcomes. This leadership role requires constant engagement with industry experts to maintain the accuracy and relevance of the content. The Chief Executive Officer (Oil & Gas) ensures that the publication delivers actionable insights for the global energy market.

    Maxim Polevoy - Vice Chief Executive Officer

    Maxim Polevoy, the Vice Chief Executive Officer at Forbes, supports the execution of corporate strategy and operational efficiency across all publishing divisions. This role involves coordinating between the editorial teams and the business units to ensure seamless project delivery. By overseeing the implementation of new digital workflows, the Vice Chief Executive Officer optimizes the production cycle for American business magazines. Polevoy directs the cross-functional teams responsible for maintaining the high standards of the publication. Maxim Polevoy manages the alignment of internal resources with the broader goals of the organization, ensuring that every department contributes to the overall mission. This leadership position requires constant monitoring of performance metrics to drive continuous improvement. The Vice Chief Executive Officer facilitates communication between the executive suite and the staff, ensuring that the strategic vision translates into tangible results for the readers and stakeholders.

    Stephanie Lewis - Chief Financial Officer

    Stephanie Lewis, the Chief Financial Officer at Forbes, directs the financial planning, reporting, and fiscal strategy of the organization. This role involves managing the budget for editorial operations, marketing initiatives, and digital infrastructure. By overseeing the revenue streams from advertising and subscriptions, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the long-term financial health of the company. Lewis drives the analysis of market trends to identify new opportunities for growth and cost optimization. Stephanie Lewis coordinates with the executive team to align financial goals with the broader mission of the publication. This leadership position requires rigorous oversight of the balance sheet and investment strategies to support the expansion of the brand. The Chief Financial Officer maintains transparency and accountability in all financial dealings, ensuring that the organization remains a stable and profitable leader in the media industry.

    Aiden Shaffer - Chief Operating Officer

    Aiden Shaffer, the Chief Operating Officer at Forbes, manages the day-to-day business operations and infrastructure that support the publishing house. This role involves directing the logistics of magazine distribution and the technical maintenance of digital platforms. By overseeing the operational efficiency of the Jersey City headquarters, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the organization functions at peak performance. Shaffer drives the integration of new software solutions to streamline content management and advertising operations. Aiden Shaffer coordinates with the finance and editorial departments to ensure that resources are allocated effectively to meet production deadlines. This leadership role focuses on scaling the operational capacity to support the growing demand for high-quality business journalism. The Chief Operating Officer maintains the stability of the internal systems, allowing the editorial team to focus on delivering impactful content to the global audience.

    Jenna Charles - President

    Jenna Charles, the President at Forbes, oversees the execution of the corporate strategy and the performance of all business units. This role involves directing the high-level operations that ensure the publication remains a leader in American business journalism. By managing the relationships with key stakeholders and partners, the President drives the expansion of the brand into new markets. Charles coordinates with the C-suite to ensure that the editorial and commercial goals are perfectly aligned. Jenna Charles leads the strategic initiatives that enhance the influence of the publication in the realms of politics, law, and science. This leadership position requires a deep understanding of the media landscape and the ability to navigate complex business challenges. The President ensures that the organization continues to deliver high-quality content that informs and inspires the global business community.

    Lola Bakare - Chief Marketing Officer, Forbes Network Contributor

    Lola Bakare, the Chief Marketing Officer, Forbes Network Contributor at Forbes, directs the brand strategy and audience engagement initiatives. This role involves overseeing the development of marketing campaigns that highlight the value of the publication to a global business audience. By managing the brand identity across digital and print channels, the Chief Marketing Officer, Forbes Network Contributor ensures consistent messaging. Bakare drives the growth of the contributor network, fostering relationships with industry experts to enhance the quality and reach of the content. Lola Bakare coordinates with the editorial team to promote key features on science, politics, and law. This leadership role focuses on expanding the subscriber base through targeted outreach and community building. The Chief Marketing Officer, Forbes Network Contributor maintains the relevance of the brand in a competitive media landscape by leveraging data-driven insights to connect with readers.

    Ali Intres - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Ali Intres, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Forbes, directs the talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational culture initiatives. This role involves overseeing the recruitment of top-tier journalists and business professionals who contribute to the success of the publication. By managing the internal policies that foster a collaborative and innovative environment, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the company mission. Intres drives the implementation of training programs that support the professional growth of the staff. Ali Intres coordinates with the executive leadership to address the evolving needs of the organization in a dynamic media market. This leadership position focuses on building a diverse and inclusive workplace that attracts the best talent in the industry. The Chief Human Resources Officer maintains the organizational health by promoting a culture of excellence and accountability.
    Ali Intres

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Forbes Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Forbes?
    Forbes is led by Donnell Mckenzie (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Aaron Harper (Chief Executive Officer & Owner) and Ricken Smith (Chief Executive Officer (Oil & Gas)).
    Who is part of Forbes’s executive team?
    The executive team of Forbes includes leaders such as Donnell Mckenzie (Chief Executive Officer), Aaron Harper (Chief Executive Officer & Owner), Ricken Smith (Chief Executive Officer (Oil & Gas)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Forbes have?
    Forbes has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Forbes’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Forbes includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer & Owner, Chief Executive Officer (Oil & Gas), Vice Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer.