Forbes Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Forbes has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, ownership, operations, technology, finance, and human resources.

Committed to delivering high-impact journalism, Forbes empowers global business leaders and innovators by convening influential communities and providing essential insights that shape the modern economic landscape.

Leadership Roles at Forbes

  • Chief Executive Officer - Lewis Thomson
  • Chief Executive Officer & Owner - Ron Harper
  • Vice Chief Executive Officer - Maxim Polevoy
  • Chief Financial Officer - Stephanie Lewis
  • Chief Technology Officer - Mohammad Islam
  • Chief of Staff - Claire Heidenreich
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Ali Intres
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Ashleigh Butson
  • Managing Director - Bonnie Kirschstein
  • Managing Director - Yung Sasaa
  • Lewis Thomson - Chief Executive Officer

    Lewis Thomson, the Chief Executive Officer at Forbes, directs the overarching strategic vision for this global media powerhouse. Overseeing the expansion of digital journalism, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that the brand maintains its century-long reputation for excellence while reaching millions of readers worldwide. This leadership role involves navigating complex media landscapes and fostering partnerships that connect billionaires, entrepreneurs, and creators. By prioritizing editorial integrity and audience growth, Lewis Thomson directly impacts the company's ability to influence international business discourse. Thomson secures long-term market relevance by aligning content initiatives with the evolving needs of a diverse, global audience. Through rigorous oversight of editorial standards and commercial performance, the Chief Executive Officer drives the organization toward sustained success in an increasingly competitive digital publishing environment.

    Ron Harper - Chief Executive Officer & Owner

    Ron Harper, the Chief Executive Officer & Owner at Forbes, manages the fundamental ownership structure and long-term capital allocation for the organization. As the primary stakeholder, the Chief Executive Officer & Owner defines the core mission of the media brand, ensuring that all journalistic endeavors align with the company's legacy of spotlighting industry leaders. This role involves high-level governance and the pursuit of strategic acquisitions that broaden the reach of the brand across 81 countries. Ron Harper maintains the financial health of the enterprise while championing the development of signature events that convene the most influential minds in business. By balancing commercial interests with the pursuit of impactful storytelling, the Chief Executive Officer & Owner sustains the brand's position as a premier source of information for global innovators and rising entrepreneurs.

    Maxim Polevoy - Vice Chief Executive Officer

    Maxim Polevoy, the Vice Chief Executive Officer at Forbes, executes operational strategies that support the company's expansive media footprint. Overseeing the integration of licensed local editions, the Vice Chief Executive Officer ensures that the brand's editorial standards remain consistent across diverse international markets. This leadership role involves coordinating between regional teams and the central headquarters to optimize content distribution and audience engagement. Maxim Polevoy drives efficiency in cross-border operations, allowing the organization to scale its influence effectively. By streamlining communication channels and supporting the implementation of new media products, Polevoy strengthens the company's ability to connect with over 140 million monthly readers. The Vice Chief Executive Officer maintains a focus on operational excellence, ensuring that the global infrastructure supports the ambitious growth targets set by the executive leadership team.

    Stephanie Lewis - Chief Financial Officer

    Stephanie Lewis, the Chief Financial Officer at Forbes, directs the financial planning, reporting, and capital management strategies for the organization. Overseeing the budgeting process and fiscal health of the media brand, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that resources are allocated effectively to support editorial and commercial growth. This leadership role involves managing investor relations and providing the data-driven insights necessary for long-term strategic decision-making. Stephanie Lewis drives the implementation of financial controls that maintain the company's stability while enabling investment in new digital products and international expansion. By monitoring market trends and assessing financial risks, Lewis supports the organization's ability to navigate the complexities of the global media industry. The Chief Financial Officer maintains a focus on transparency and accountability, ensuring that all financial operations align with the company's overarching mission and commitment to excellence.
    Stephanie Lewis

    Mohammad Islam - Chief Technology Officer

    Mohammad Islam, the Chief Technology Officer at Forbes, architects the digital infrastructure that powers the company's global media presence. Overseeing the development of scalable content management systems and data analytics platforms, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that the brand delivers a seamless experience to millions of monthly users. This leadership role involves integrating advanced technologies to support the company's journalism and digital advertising initiatives. Mohammad Islam drives the implementation of cybersecurity protocols and cloud-based solutions that protect the integrity of the brand's digital assets. By fostering a culture of innovation within the engineering teams, Islam enables the organization to adapt quickly to the rapidly changing media technology landscape. The Chief Technology Officer maintains a focus on performance and reliability, ensuring that the company's digital tools effectively support the mission of informing and inspiring global business leaders.

    Claire Heidenreich - Chief of Staff

    Claire Heidenreich, the Chief of Staff at Forbes, manages the operational flow and strategic alignment between the executive leadership team and the broader organization. Overseeing the execution of key corporate initiatives, the Chief of Staff ensures that the company's mission is consistently reflected in daily operations. This leadership role involves facilitating communication across departments and managing the priorities of the C-suite to ensure maximum efficiency. Claire Heidenreich drives the development of internal processes that support the company's growth and organizational agility. By coordinating high-level projects and serving as a liaison for the executive team, Heidenreich enables the organization to respond effectively to market opportunities. The Chief of Staff maintains a focus on organizational health, ensuring that all teams remain aligned with the company's long-term goals and commitment to providing trusted journalism to a global audience.

    Ali Intres - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Ali Intres, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Forbes, directs the talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee engagement strategies for the company. Overseeing the recruitment of top-tier editorial and technical talent, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the organization maintains a workforce capable of upholding the brand's high standards. This leadership role involves fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity that attracts creators and business professionals from around the world. Ali Intres drives the implementation of professional development programs that empower employees to excel in their respective fields. By managing performance systems and promoting a collaborative work environment, Intres supports the company's ability to attract and retain the best minds in the industry. The Chief Human Resources Officer maintains a focus on building a resilient and high-performing team that contributes directly to the company's global impact.
    Ali Intres

    Ashleigh Butson - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Ashleigh Butson, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Forbes, manages the compensation, benefits, and workplace culture initiatives for the organization. Overseeing the design of competitive reward structures, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the company remains an employer of choice for top talent in the media and technology sectors. This leadership role involves developing policies that support employee well-being and professional growth across the company's international offices. Ashleigh Butson drives the execution of diversity and inclusion initiatives that reflect the global nature of the brand's audience. By analyzing workforce data and implementing best practices in human capital management, Butson strengthens the organization's internal capabilities. The Chief Human Resources Officer maintains a focus on creating a supportive and dynamic work environment, ensuring that all employees are equipped to contribute to the company's mission of informing and inspiring the world's most influential communities.

    Bonnie Kirschstein - Managing Director

    Bonnie Kirschstein, the Managing Director at Forbes, directs the commercial operations and revenue-generating initiatives for the organization's media portfolio. Overseeing the monetization of digital platforms and signature events, the Managing Director ensures that the company's business model remains robust and adaptable to market shifts. This leadership role involves managing client relationships and developing innovative advertising solutions that resonate with the brand's influential audience. Bonnie Kirschstein drives the execution of strategic growth plans, focusing on expanding the reach of the media brand within North American and international markets. By optimizing sales processes and fostering collaboration across departments, Kirschstein supports the company's mission to provide high-value content to business leaders. The Managing Director maintains a sharp focus on financial performance, ensuring that all commercial activities contribute to the long-term stability and growth of the organization.

    Yung Sasaa - Managing Director

    Yung Sasaa, the Managing Director at Forbes, manages the strategic development of the company's live event series and community engagement platforms. Overseeing the logistics and content curation for ForbesLive, the Managing Director ensures that these gatherings provide unparalleled value to the world's most influential business leaders. This leadership role involves building partnerships with global innovators and creating environments that foster high-level networking and knowledge exchange. Yung Sasaa drives the expansion of the brand's physical and digital event presence, ensuring that these initiatives align with the company's broader mission of spotlighting industry success. By coordinating with editorial and sales teams, Sasaa creates cohesive experiences that enhance the brand's reputation. The Managing Director maintains a focus on delivering premium content, ensuring that every event serves as a catalyst for meaningful impact within the global business community.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Forbes Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Forbes?
    Forbes is led by Lewis Thomson (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Ron Harper (Chief Executive Officer & Owner) and Maxim Polevoy (Vice Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of Forbes’s executive team?
    The executive team of Forbes includes leaders such as Lewis Thomson (Chief Executive Officer), Ron Harper (Chief Executive Officer & Owner), Maxim Polevoy (Vice Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Forbes have?
    Forbes has 10 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, Vice Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer.