Paula Schneider

Paula Schneider is an executive and women's health advocate with extensive experience in organizational management, finance, and nonprofit leadership. Schneider served as CEO of American Apparel, a major vertically integrated clothing manufacturer in the United States, overseeing more than 8,500 employees and 600 international retail stores. In this role, she managed a significant turnaround in the retail sector, guiding the company through prearranged Chapter 11 proceedings and strengthening the brand. Previously, Schneider was president of Warnaco Swimwear Group, which includes brands such as Speedo and Calvin Klein. She also worked as a senior advisor at The Gores Group, where she developed platform strategies for operations and acquisitions, and became the first female CEO in the firm's portfolio.

Schneider served as president and CEO of Susan G. Komen, overseeing operations and strategic direction for the world's largest breast cancer organization. She led the transformation of Komen's national network into a unified entity, enhancing efficiency and impact in breast cancer research, advocacy, community outreach, and patient care. Under her leadership, Komen invested more than $3.5 billion in breast cancer initiatives and contributed to a reduction in the breast cancer mortality rate. The organization received high ratings from Charity Navigator during her tenure.

A breast cancer survivor who lost her mother to metastatic breast cancer, Schneider integrates personal experience with business expertise in her advocacy work. She has been recognized among Los Angeles's 500 Most Influential People, received the National Association of Women's Business Owners Inspiration Award, and was named one of the 100 Influential Women in Oncology Key Opinion Leaders by OncoDaily.

Schneider is a public speaker on leadership, breast cancer, and women's health, with appearances at events such as Fortune's Most Powerful Women, Yahoo! Finance, Women in Retail, Milken Institute, SXSW, and Dreamforce. She is a member and keynote speaker of C200, serves on the Bloomberg New Economy Forum's International Cancer Coalition, and is a member of Fast Company Impact Council. Her speaking topics include artificial intelligence in breast cancer, health equity, and leadership lessons from her cancer diagnosis, including her talk, "How Cancer Made Me a Better CEO."

Schneider is CEO of the Institute Advancing Women's Health, a global nonprofit focused on improving women's health in midlife. The organization works to translate scientific evidence into practical tools, care pathways, and training to make midlife care more integrated and accessible. Schneider brings experience in women's health, organizational leadership, and partnership development to this role.