Forbes Executive and Leadership Team

Lewis Thomson, the Chief Executive Officer at Forbes, directs the overarching strategic vision for this global media brand. Thomson manages the expansion of editorial reach across 81 countries, ensuring that the organization maintains its century-long reputation for journalistic excellence. By aligning the editorial mission with the needs of 140 million monthly readers, the Chief Executive Officer drives engagement across digital and print platforms. Lewis Thomson also coordinates with the board to identify new market opportunities within the media publishing sector. This leadership role involves overseeing the integration of signature events into the broader business model to maximize brand influence. Through rigorous focus on operational efficiency and audience growth, the Chief Executive Officer secures the long-term viability of the brand. Thomson consistently evaluates emerging media trends to maintain a competitive edge in the international marketplace while fostering a culture of innovation and high-quality content production.

Ron Harper, the Chief Executive Officer & Owner at Forbes, maintains ultimate responsibility for the financial health and strategic direction of the enterprise. Harper oversees the long-term asset management of the brand, ensuring that the media portfolio remains aligned with the interests of global business leaders and entrepreneurs. As the primary stakeholder, the Chief Executive Officer & Owner evaluates high-level investment opportunities to expand the reach of the organization into new geographic territories. Ron Harper also monitors the performance of the 49 licensed local editions to ensure consistency with the core brand identity. This leadership role requires balancing immediate revenue generation with the preservation of the iconic status of the publication. By setting the tone for corporate governance and ethical standards, the Chief Executive Officer & Owner drives the organization toward sustainable growth. Harper actively shapes the future trajectory of the company through decisive capital allocation and strategic partnerships.

Maxim Polevoy, the Vice Chief Executive Officer at Forbes, supports the execution of corporate initiatives and operational scaling across the global media network. Polevoy focuses on streamlining internal processes to enhance the delivery of journalism to 140 million monthly users. The Vice Chief Executive Officer manages cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring that editorial teams and business units remain synchronized with the overarching company mission. Maxim Polevoy also monitors the performance of international editions, providing guidance on regional market penetration and audience development strategies. This leadership role involves translating high-level strategic goals into actionable plans for the various departments within the organization. By optimizing resource allocation and improving workflow efficiency, the Vice Chief Executive Officer directly contributes to the scalability of the brand. Polevoy maintains a sharp focus on operational excellence, ensuring that the company continues to convene the most influential communities of innovators and creators worldwide.

Thomas Callahan, the Chief Financial Officer at Forbes, manages the fiscal health and capital structure of the organization. Callahan oversees all financial planning, budgeting, and reporting processes to ensure the company meets its growth targets in the competitive media publishing industry. The Chief Financial Officer directs the allocation of funds across the 49 licensed local editions, ensuring that each regional operation remains profitable and aligned with the global brand standards. Thomas Callahan also works closely with the executive team to evaluate the financial viability of new business ventures and signature events. This leadership role involves maintaining rigorous financial controls and transparency to support the long-term stability of the enterprise. By analyzing market trends and revenue streams, the Chief Financial Officer provides the insights necessary for informed decision-making at the board level. Callahan ensures that the company maintains a strong balance sheet while investing in the future of its journalism.

Linda Boff, the President, Forbes CMO Network at Forbes, leads the community of marketing executives who convene through the platform to share industry insights. Boff oversees the development of content and networking opportunities specifically tailored for the Chief Marketing Officer audience. The President, Forbes CMO Network manages the strategic partnerships that enhance the value of the network for its members and the broader business community. Linda Boff also facilitates discussions on the future of marketing and media, ensuring that the network remains a hub for innovation and thought leadership. This leadership role involves curating high-level events and digital content that address the challenges faced by modern marketing leaders. By fostering a collaborative environment, the President, Forbes CMO Network drives the growth of the network and strengthens the brand's influence among top-tier executives. Boff ensures that the network remains a vital resource for those shaping the future of global business.

Mohammad Islam, the Chief Technology Officer at Forbes, architects the digital infrastructure required to support a global media brand reaching 140 million people monthly. Islam oversees the development of proprietary platforms that host trusted journalism and facilitate the ForbesLive event experience. The Chief Technology Officer drives the implementation of advanced data analytics to better understand audience behavior and improve content delivery across 81 countries. Mohammad Islam also manages the cybersecurity protocols necessary to protect the integrity of the brand and the data of its influential user base. This leadership role involves collaborating with editorial and marketing teams to integrate new digital tools that enhance user engagement. By prioritizing scalable cloud solutions and robust software architecture, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that the company remains at the forefront of media technology. Islam continuously evaluates emerging tech trends to maintain the competitive advantage of the digital ecosystem.

Claire Heidenreich, the Chief of Staff at Forbes, coordinates the strategic priorities of the executive leadership team to ensure organizational alignment. Heidenreich manages the flow of information between departments, facilitating efficient communication and decision-making across the global media network. The Chief of Staff oversees special projects that impact the company's market position, ensuring that initiatives are executed according to the established mission. Claire Heidenreich also acts as a liaison between the C-suite and the broader organization, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency. This leadership role involves monitoring the progress of key performance indicators and identifying potential bottlenecks in operational workflows. By streamlining the executive agenda, the Chief of Staff enables the leadership team to focus on high-impact growth strategies. Heidenreich plays a central role in maintaining the operational rhythm of the company, ensuring that all business units remain focused on the core objective of informing and inspiring global leaders.

Ashleigh Butson, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Forbes, directs the talent acquisition and organizational development strategies for the global media brand. Butson oversees the recruitment of top-tier journalists, editors, and business professionals who contribute to the company's reputation for excellence. The Chief Human Resources Officer manages employee engagement programs and professional development initiatives to ensure the workforce remains motivated and aligned with the company's mission. Ashleigh Butson also designs compensation and benefits structures that attract and retain the best talent in the competitive media publishing sector. This leadership role involves fostering an inclusive and innovative workplace culture that supports the diverse needs of a global team. By implementing effective performance management systems, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the organization maintains a high standard of productivity. Butson continuously evaluates human capital needs to support the long-term growth and operational success of the entire enterprise.

Lola Bakare, the Chief Marketing Officer, Forbes Network Contributor at Forbes, leads the development of brand positioning strategies that resonate with influential communities. Bakare oversees the marketing campaigns for signature events and digital content, ensuring that the brand remains top-of-mind for entrepreneurs and innovators. The Chief Marketing Officer, Forbes Network Contributor manages the integration of contributor insights into the broader marketing narrative to enhance the authority of the publication. Lola Bakare also collaborates with the editorial team to identify new audience segments and expand the reach of the brand across diverse global markets. This leadership role involves leveraging data-driven insights to optimize marketing spend and improve conversion rates for subscriptions and event attendance. By crafting compelling brand stories, the Chief Marketing Officer, Forbes Network Contributor drives engagement and strengthens the connection between the company and its audience. Bakare ensures that the brand identity remains consistent and impactful across all platforms.

Aronte Bennett, the Chief Marketing Officer, Network Editorial Contributor at Forbes, manages the intersection of editorial content and marketing strategy to drive audience growth. Bennett oversees the promotion of editorial features and special reports, ensuring that high-quality journalism reaches the intended target demographics. The Chief Marketing Officer, Network Editorial Contributor directs the development of content-led marketing initiatives that highlight the achievements of entrepreneurs and business leaders. Aronte Bennett also collaborates with the editorial team to ensure that the brand's voice remains consistent across all contributor-led platforms. This leadership role involves analyzing audience engagement metrics to refine content distribution strategies and maximize the impact of editorial output. By aligning marketing efforts with the core journalistic mission, the Chief Marketing Officer, Network Editorial Contributor supports the brand's goal of informing and inspiring its global audience. Bennett ensures that the company's content remains relevant and influential in a rapidly evolving media landscape.